Saitama Cherry Blossoms – Hanami and cherry blossom season 2021. Japan are currently aiming to reopen the country to international tourists from April 2021. Just in time for cherry blossom season. And the season is one of the best times to visit Japan. If you have been in Japan for cherry blossom season in the past, you will know why. If you are planning to celebrate cherry blossom season in Japan for the first time in 2021: be excited, very excited! The hype is real, the cherry blossoms are stunning, and the events and festivals are amazing.
Saitama Cherry Blossoms
In this post a list of some of Saitama’s better known cherry blossom areas with a link to more information in English. Some of the links are internal links, to articles on Saitama with Kids, and some are external, to other blogs or websites.
3 of Japan’s Top 100
First up, Saitama’s most famous. Japan has a list of the top 100 places to see cherry blossoms nationwide. Three of Saitama’s cherry blossoms spots are featured on that list: Omiya Park, Kumagaya Sakura Tsutsumi and Nagatoro:
Omiya Park
Needs little introduction to those living in Japan. However, for those living abroad it might not be as well known. One of the merits of this park is that it is close to and easily commutable from Tokyo. Moreover, while busy, it is much less crowded than places like Ueno Park. Here are the event details on this blog, updated annually:
Kumagaya Sakura Tsutsumi
Kumagaya is not as close to Tokyo as Omiya Park as the crow flies, but thanks to being on a bullet train line it is relatively easy and quick to get to this beautiful rural cherry blossom spot:
Nagatoro
Nagatoro is one of the most beautiful areas in Saitama. And it has dozens of things to do. You can get a train – even a steam locomotive, the closest steam locomotive to Tokyo – from aforementioned Kumagaya to this idyllic scenic town.
Only one in the world
Apart from the three that made it into the top 100 list for all of Japan, there are other places that are renowned within Saitama itself. And of course the very special, one of a kind, cherry blossom in Kitamoto:
Kitamoto Ishito Kabazakura
If you do visit this world-only cherry blossom tree, there are several other cherry blossom viewing spots nearby, such as Jougaya, Kitamoto Children’s Park and Takao Sakura Park.
Instafamous
Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine
The cherry blossoms on the Shingashi River behind Hikawa Shrine:
Sakitama Kofun Park
Sakitama Kofun Park was one of our favorite sakura viewing spots of 2020:
Should be famous
Two lesser known locations that should – in my humble opinion – be better known:
Minoyama Park, Chichibu
In more recent years, the 8000 cherry blossoms in Minoyama Park in Minano, Chichibu, have become famous throughout Japan. The area has been nicknamed the “Mt Yoshino of the Kanto Region. The great thing about the area is that sakura bloom after the majority of the places on this list. You can see cherry blossoms from early / mid April right up to early May…
Senbonzakura Park
Senbonzakura Park is an incredibly stunning hillside cherry blossom spot with 2000 cherry blossom trees. And it was also one of our favorite hanami locations in 2020. However, it is pretty much off the beaten path for the most part, but very popular with cosplayers.
LOCALLY FAMOUS
- Sakura light up and festival at the 100 Caves of Yoshimi
- Cherry blossoms and Rapeseed Yoshimi
- Yono Park
- Shinrin Park cherry blossoms in Japanese language, general information in English
- Honjo City Wakaizumi Dai Ichi and Dai Ni Parks
- Saitama Suijo Park cherry blossoms in Japanese language, general information in English
- Iwatsuki Castle Ruins Park
- Hitsujiyama Park (Moss Phlox)
- Tokorozawa Cherry Blossoms
- Tokorozawa Aviation Memorial Park (General information for the park)
- Fukiage / Motoara River Sakura Namiki
- Akigase Park (Japanese language only)
- Shimin no Mori / Minuma Green Center (Japanese language only)
- Isanuma Park
- Higashimatsuyama Norin Park
- Saitama Norin Park
- Sakuranoyama Park
- Jougaya Embankment Cherry Blossom Bank
- Kawagoe Water Park
Moreover, there are more than 80 on the insaitama.com Saitama Sakura Map:
A map of more than 80 places to see Sakura / Cherry Blossoms in SAITAMA