Top Hanami Sites near Hiroshima

Feb 25, 2023

Top Hanami Sites near Hiroshima

Hanami is what the Japanese call “flower viewing,” especially cherry blossoms (桜 sakura) with friends and family. In modern practice, hanami is enjoyed, especially by the younger generations of Japan, with copious amounts of food and drink. The practice is so widespread that finding and securing a good spot in a popular park during the peak season may require arriving the day before and camping out on one. The experience is different depending on where and who you go with, but it feels like the entire country collectively cast off the winter in a sudden rush of energy.

If you are looking for a spot to enjoy the blossoms, you are in luck; plenty of options are available to you in and around Hiroshima. While every year differs, you can keep on top of Hiroshima’s latest cherry blossom dates using this site (in Japanese only).

To get you started, here are the Top Hanami Sites near Hiroshima

Senkoji Park in Onomichi

Senkoji Park, in the port town of Onomichi, is a popular tourist destination! Besides being famous for cherry blossoms, after riding the ropeway up the mountain overlooking the city, visitors are treated to panoramic views of surrounding areas, including the Seto Inland Sea and Onomichi’s massive shipyards. The park contains Senkoji Temple, founded in 806, Mt. Senkoji, and many open and “wild” spaces to roam.   Senkoji Park and its 10,000 cherry trees are rated as one of Japan’s 100 best hanami sites.

15-1 Higashitsuchidocho Onomichi, Hiroshima Prefecture 722-0033 (map link)

Ueno Park in Shobara

Ueno Park is a small park in central Shobara City, but despite its size, the park’s 2,000 cherry trees are counted among Japan’s top 100 places for hanami!

Ueno, Higashihonmachi, Syobara-shi 727-0011 (map link)

Miyajima – Itsukushima Shrine / Momijigadani Park

Miyajima is considered one of the top three scenic spots in Japan! Besides cherry blossoms on the island, there are a few attractions, including the World Heritage site Itsukushima Shrine, the Virgin Forest of Mt. Misen, an assortment of well-preserved shrines and temples, and historical monuments.   Perhaps its most famous attribute is the floating gate, or torii, of Itsukushima Shrine. There are about 1300 cherry trees near the shrine and along the island’s many walking trails. Get a map (on your right) as you exit the ferry terminal, and head for the big open clearing in Momijigadani Park.

1-1 Miyajimacho, Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima Prefecture 739-0588 (map link)
www.miyajima-wch.jp

Hiroshima Castle in Hiroshima City

Hiroshima Castle was established in 1589, survived to see the Meiji Restoration, and was named a National Treasure of Japan in 1931. Unfortunately, the original was destroyed in the bombing of Hiroshima but reconstructed in 1959. Its central location makes it the easiest to reach than other options. The best cherry blossom viewing spots are near the castle keep, but there are many good locations among 450 cherry trees around the castle grounds.

21-1 Motomachi Naka Ward, Hiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture 730-0011 (map link)
www.rijo-castle.jp

Hiroshima Peace Park in Hiroshima City

Hiroshima Peace Park, or Heiwa Kinen Kōen, is another centrally located option, just down the street from the castle above on an island that used to be part of the busy Nakajima merchant district destroyed by the bomb. Today, Visitors can find over fifty memorials, statues, and other structures in the park, and 400 cherry trees as you stroll the grounds, especially near the river.

1 Nakajimacho, Naka Ward, Hiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture 730-0051 (map link)
www.city.hiroshima.lg.jp/

Shiroshio Park

Hakushima Kukencho is a popular spot on the stretch of land that fronts the Kyobashi River from Kohei-bashi Bridge near Big Wave Sports Centre,  past Hakushima and Ushita O-hashi Bridge. Then it continues down through Hakushima to Tokiwa-bashi Bridge just before the Shinkansen tracks cross the river. The riverside park’s sliver between Ushita Bridge and Kohei Bridge becomes what appears like a charming cherry blossom tunnel—complemented by the fluttering of sakura petals. As the is no roadside footpath, be wary of traffic passing through.

25 Hakushimakukencho, Naka Ward, Hiroshima, 730-0003 (map link)

Hijiyama Park

This is the hilltop park east of the city, where you’ll also find the MOCA. Boasting approximately 1300 cherry trees that flank the paths that weave their way through the park and interspersed by city views, Hijiyama is undoubtedly one of the most popular hanami sites in Hiroshima. It is lively at night and an excellent spot for yozakura, but they will shoo you out by 11 pm. Take any Ujina Bound tram from Hiroshima Station.

Hijiyamakoen, Minami Ward, Hiroshima, 732-0817 (map link)

Eba Yama Park

Commonly known as Eba Yama, but its proper name is Ebasarayama. It is South of the city. The park is not a massive space, so 150 cherry trees give it a lovely blooming atmosphere. Among those includes a scarce specimen discovered in 1944 named the Hiroshima Ebayama-zakura. Take the Hirosden Eba tram to its endpoint, and it’s a short walk from there

1 Chome-3-1 Ebanihonmatsu, Naka Ward, Hiroshima, 730-0834 (map link)

Kintaikyo Bridge (Iwakuni)

It’s to the west in Yamaguchi Prefecture but very accessible by bus direct from the Hiroshima Bus Centre or train, JR Sanyo Line, one hour to Iwakuni Station, and a 25 min bus ride from there. The Kintai Bridge is a beautiful arched wooden bridge spanning the Nishiki River in Iwakuni, and the riverside flanking it is full of sakura. Very festive, particularly at night. Lots of good eateries locally. No BBQs are allowed in the riverside park.

Iwakuni, Yamaguchi 741-0062 (map link)

More Information and Resources

Cherry Blossom Forecast – Japan Guide
http://sakura.weathermap.jp

 

Photo: re-kuma [CC BY 3.0]  via Wikimedia Commons

Photo: アラツク / CC BY-SA

Photo: Wikimedia Commons By663highland (663highland) CC-BY-SA-3.0-Modified

Photo: Flickr By Yasuhiro ARAKAWA [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons