Himeji Castle is one of the most famous castles in Japan and a national treasure. It's the only fortress that has survived the ravages of war in its 400-year history.

The castle, which is also a World Heritage Site, sits in a vast area of 233 hectares (576 acres), and is surrounded by roughly 1800 cherry trees, mainly of the Somei Yoshino variety.

During cherry blossom season, from the rooftop garden of Eagle Himeji, a viewing spot located south of the castle, the entire fortress appears as though it's floating in a cloud of cherry blossom hues.

A popular spot for cherry blossom viewing is among the rows of trees in the San-no-Maru Plaza, in front of the castle tower. You can admire the splendid view with the castle in the background. The Nishinomaru Garden, where you can enjoy nighttime cherry blossom viewing, is another must-see corner. The pond in the garden reflects the castle (also nickednamed "White Heron Castle" for its graceful appearance) and the beautiful weeping trees around it, creating a magical image.

On the west side of Himeji Castle, there is a moat that has been left intact. You can cross it via the Shiromibashi Bridge, approaching the spectacular sight of the tower rising beyond the trees.

Best time to see cherry blossoms: Early April

Kobe City Oji Zoo is located a five-minute walk from Nada Station on the JR line. The zoo is home to 800 animals of 130 species. You will be able to see large animals, like lions, tigers, giraffes, and elephants, as well as cute animals like giant pandas, red pandas, and koalas. (As of February 2024, viewing of the giant panda Tantan has been suspended due to health concerns.)

One of the highlights of the zoo is the Old Residence of E.H. Hunter, a foreigner's residence in the corner of the zoo, built around 1889 and moved to the zoo from Kitano-cho in 1963. The interior is open to the public, for everyone to see its gorgeous decorations and furnishing.

About 480 Somei Yoshino cherry trees are planted in the park, and only here can you enjoy the special combination of cherry trees in full bloom and pandas. For three days every year, when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, the park holds a special nighttime illumination event called Night Cherry Blossom Passage (free admission). However, please note that you won't be able to see animals during this event.

Best time to see cherry blossoms: From late March to early April

Sogoundokoen Park is a sizeable athletic park located right next to Sogoundokoen Station, about 20 minutes from Sannomiya Subway Station. The park includes Hotto Motto Field Kobe, a professional baseball team's home stadium, and the Univer Memorial Stadium, where international track and field, soccer, and rugby events are held.

You will find the Shade Garden-Sakura Road, a 310-meter magnificent cherry-blossom tunnel on the west side of the park. On the east side, is Cosmos Hill, famous for its 100,000 cosmos flowers in fall and its 50,000 rape blossoms in spring.

The park also has recreational facilities like a large athletic field and the Chappu Chappu Pond, where you can play in the water, making it an ideal place for families to play and enjoy the cherry blossoms.

If the timing is right, you will be able to admire the beauty of both cherry and rape blossoms at the same time. The park is also easy to access.

Best time to see cherry blossoms: Early March to early April

Sumaura Park is a scenic spot by the slopes of Mount Tegai and Mount Hachibuse, which overlook Awaji Island, and the pine forest along the coast. The area is famous as the battlefield of the ancient Genpei War, and of course as a cherry-blossom viewing spot.

You can access it from Sumaura -Koen Station, about 30 minutes from Hanshin-Kobe Sannomiya Station.

Since its opening in 1935, the park has been decorated with black pines and Somei Yoshino cherry trees and has now become a famous cherry blossoms viewing area, selected as one of the best flowering spots in Kobe.

In spring, the park is decorated with about 3,200 cherry trees, and many hikers go enjoy the climb. The Sumaura Yamagami Amusement Park is also within the park, and, on the adjacent beach, you will find a sea fishing park.

This is one of the largest cherry blossom viewing spots in Kobe. It offers a view of the Akashi Bridge, the Kobe Port, the cityscape of Kobe and of Kobe Airport, as well as a panorama of cherry blossoms of many different qualities, like Someyoshino, Yamazakura, and double-flowered varieties.

Best time for cherry blossoms: From Late March to mid-April

A five-minute walk from Sumadera Station (about 20 minutes from Kobe Sannomiya Station), Omotozan Sumadera is an ancient temple founded in 886.

The temple is famous for its connection to the Genpei War (the final struggle between the Taira and Minamoto clans), and it's designated as an important national cultural asset.

On the temple grounds is the resting place of Taira no Atsumori, a pine tree where Minamoto no Yoshitsune is said to have sat, plus Benkei's hanging bell and many other historical sites. There are also monuments to the famous Japanese haiku poets Yosa Buson and Matsuo Basho, and near the monument is a beautiful peach-colored weeping cherry tree.

Not far from it is also the Wakagi-no-zakura cherry tree, a historic site associated with the Tale of Genji.

The cherry trees rising along the edge of Doyaike Pond next to Sumadera Temple are beautifully reflected in the water's surface, creating a magnificent sight. The beautiful single-petaled early-flowering Kumagai-zakura, named after Naozane Kumagai (who defeated Atsumori Taira), can also be seen here.

A tunnel of cherry blossoms welcomes visitors along the approach to the temple, and it's a place where you can enjoy the beauty of nature no matter what time of the year you visit.

Best time to see cherry blossoms: From late March to early April

Takarazuka Hana-no-Michi is a promenade extending along the Mukogawa River not far from Hankyu Takarazuka Station (about 40 minutes from Sannomiya Station). Takarazuka Hana-no-Michi connects to the Takarazuka Grand Theater, home of the Takarazuka Revue.

Along the gorgeous path, where students of the Takarazuka Revue come and go, you can enjoy roses and other seasonal flowers, as well as fashionable stores and restaurants along the way.

Best time to see cherry blossoms: From early to mid-April

Shukugawa Park, in Nishinomiya City, is one of the most famous cherry blossoms spots in Hyogo Prefecture. It's just a short walk from Shukugawa Station, about 15 minutes from Kobe Sannomiya Station.

This is a large-scale urban park covering the entire Shukugawa River (18 hectares and 4 km in length). The park is dotted with 1,700 cherry trees along the river, including 1,200 spectacular Somei Yoshino trees. There are also more than 100 gorgeous double-flowered Kanzan cherry trees that are a sight to behold.

There are 1,600 pine trees along the river, and you can enjoy the combination of the dark green of the pine trees with the bright cherry trees.

On the bank that leads down to the Shukugawa River, there are stepping stones where children can have fun playing.

The Katahoko Pond on the park grounds is a cool and refreshing spot for cherry blossom viewing, with a spot where you can see their reflection in the water, where the fountain rises.

Best time to see cherry blossoms: From late March to Early April

Hiokayama Park, located about 10 minutes walking from Hiokayama Station, and about 40 from JR Kobe Station, is a vast general-sports park complete with a baseball field, swimming pool, sports center, and accommodation facilities.

In the park, there are several important places of archeological importance, known collectively as the Hiokayama Tumulus Group.

About 1,000 cherry trees, including Someyoshino, Oshima cherry, and Kanchizakura cherry are planted in the park. Every year, the rows of cherry trees are lit up at night, and about 330 bonbori (paper lanterns) are lit up as well, attracting many visitors.

The tunnel of cherry trees starting from the Hiokayama Park Management Office is particularly beautiful.

Hiokayama Park is also home to a plum grove, snow willow trees, and many other flowers, making it a relaxing place to enjoy cherry blossom viewing while working up a sweat during sports and leisure activities.

Best time to see cherry blossoms: End of March to early April

Akashi Park, located a 5-minute walk from Akashi Station and about 15 minutes from Sannomiya Station, is a vast 55-hectare park built on Akashi Castle's ruins.

The original castle had been erected by Tadazane Ogasawara, the first lord of the Akashi domain, in 1619. On top of a large 20-meter tall stone wall stretching for 380 meters from the west to the east side two rare triple towers stand tall. These are the Tatsumi Tower and the Kunigura Tower, both designated as national important cultural properties.

About 1,400 Somei Yoshino are planted in the park, which gets crowded with many cherry blossom viewers. In particular, the area around the sizeable Ko-no-ike pond, where boating is allowed, is decorated with 1,000 cherry trees and is stunning when the trees are in full bloom. This area has been selected as one of the 100 best cherry blossom viewing spots in Japan.

Best time to see cherry blossoms: From late March to early April

The Ono Dzutsumi Sakura Corridor is a 15-minute walk from Awai Station, about 75 minutes from Sannomiya Station.

This is one of the most famous cherry blossom viewing spots in Ono City, and it is said to be the largest in Western Japan, with about 650 trees planted along both banks of the Kakogawa River, which runs through the western part of the city for a total length of about 4km.

There are six varieties of cherry trees here: Edohigan, Oshima cherry, Somei Yoshino, Kawazu-zakura, Yaebeni weeping cherry and Omoigawa cherry. They are planted in the order of their blooming season, so that visitors can enjoy blossoms for a long period of time from mid-March to late April.

As part of the river conservation movement, an ownership system for cherry trees has been established, and each tree has a nameplate with the owner's thoughts. The environment along the walk is maintained through a conservation movement with the participation of citizens, and this is why this is a spot where you can enjoy this splendid scenery.

Best time to see cherry blossoms: From late March to early April

There are many cherry blossom spots in Hyogo, including World Heritage Sites, views over the sea, and with zoo animals. Find some time to enjoy cherry blossoms in Kobe!

This article was written in March 2020 and updated in February 2024. The cherry blossom season, event schedule and contents are subject to change.

Text by: Click