On March 19th 2026 Omiya Park announced that the cherry blossoms are blooming now. Later that same day they officially declared the session “open”. In addition, they have set the dates for the 2026 festival, to start from Friday March 27th 2026.
Omiya Park is a popular spot for locals, tourists and expats alike to enjoy hanami, cherry blossom viewing. Its proximity to Tokyo on top of the stunning scenery and lively atmosphere is one of the big draws of this annual festival which attracts thousands annually. It is listed in the top 100 places to see cherry blossoms in Japan, one of three such locations in Saitama. However, they are always one of the last to confirm their cherry blossom festival information. It has always been that way, nothing to do with the pandemic. They finally released information today…
Omiya Park Cherry Blossoms
Omiya Park Cherry Blossoms are ranked as the 2nd most popular place to view cherry blossoms in Saitama and the 16th most popular in the country according to Jorudan. Approximately 130,000 people come to view the cherry blossoms in Omiya Park in an average year.
There are approximately 1,000 cherry blossom trees in Omiya park. Generally speaking, they bloom the last week of March and first week of April. During the cherry blossom season, they line the pathways in the park with festival lanterns. Before the pandemic when the cherry blossoms were in bloom, there were normally about 180 food stalls in the park, but since the pandemic they don’t provide festival information. However, they do provide information for the light up, which essentially marks the period of the festival.
Cherry Blossom Festival
Omiya Park generally don’t release the festival information until the day of or day before the cherry blossom festival starts. They’ve always been like this, nothing to do with the you-know-what! They start the festival when the cherry blossoms in the park have reached a certain percent of bloom. And they only announce it with a day or two’s notice. HOWEVER, in 2026, they have uncharacteristically set the dates more than a week in advance. Moreover, this year, for the first time in seven years, they have also actually put it in writing that there will be food trucks in the park for the period of the light up. The cherry blossoms will be lit up at night from Friday March 27th to Sunday April 5th 2026. They are lit up from dusk to 9 pm. *Subject to change.
Rules during Omiya Park Cherry Blossom season
In all years, no fireworks, bonfires or fires of any sort are allowed during the cherry blossom season. They ask that you don’t secure hanami spots with tarp or picnic blanket in advance. In other words, please only put down tarp or picnic blankets at the time of your hanami. Pets are permitted in the park even in hanami season. You are requested to bring your rubbish home. They ask that you keep maintain social distancing. Lastly, they request that you finish your hanami by 9 pm.
Omiya park Cherry blossoms with children
There are lots of attractions for small children in this park making it a good place to do hanami with children. There is a small zoo, a playground, battery cars and a fairground ride.
More information about the park with kids:
Information for Omiya Park Cherry Blossom Festival
Event: Omiya Park Cherry Blossom Light Up (/Festival) 2026 大宮公園桜祭り・ライトアップ令和8年
Date: season declared open on March 19th. They expect full bloom around the 26th. Moreover, they have set the festival dates for March 27th to April 5th 2026.
Time: light up is from dusk until 9 pm.
Cost: there is no admission fee.
Venue: Omiya Park, 4 Chome Takahanacho, Omiya Ward, Saitama, 330-0803. (Map below access information)
Access
Omiya Park is close to the Tobu Urban Park Omiya Koen station and about a 10 minute walk from JR Omiya station.
By car it is about 7 kilometers from the Tohoku Expressway’s Iwatsuki Interchange. Free parking for up to 300 cars.
There are also cherry blossoms in Omiya Dai Ni Park.
wow what a sensational place to experience the cherry blossoms!
Unfortunately it gets quite crowded these days, I’m lucky that I got to enjoy it for a couple of years without the crowds!