Enjoy Early Cherry Blossoms! 3-Day Spring Itinerary in Fukuoka and Saga

Whether they're framing the four-hundred-year-old Fukuoka Castle or creating a beautiful backdrop for the magical atmosphere of Mifuneyama, Kyushu's cherry blossoms are a unique and unforgettable sight.

Read on to learn about a suggested four-day spring itinerary that includes some of the best locations for viewing the cherry blossoms in Fukuoka and Saga. These destinations are sure to delight any traveler that enjoys a taste of traditional Japan.

In 2023, the cherry blossoms are expected to start blooming around March 20 in north-western Kyushu. This makes late March the best time for enjoying the itinerary introduced below.

Day One - Morning: Ohori Park in Fukuoka

Photo by Pixta

Named for its original function as the large moat around Fukuoka Castle, Ohori Park is a great starting point for visitors wishing to see the cherry blossoms in Kyushu. Enjoying a picnic under the blooms or simply going for a stroll through the expansive park is a great experience for any traveler.

Both familiar and new, the cherry blossoms add a dash of color to the high walls of the castle park just as they do in many other parts of Japan.

Photo by Pixta
However, Ohori Park features a unique waterscape with islands in the middle of the moat, and the iconic scenery of Ukimido Hall is certainly an Instagram-worthy photo spot!

Ohori Park is also home to the Fukuoka Art Museum, a small modern art museum where visitors can see one of Yayoi Kusama's iconic polka-dot pumpkins!

Fukuoka Tower

Photo by Pixta

A glittering shard that rises into the sky above the city of Fukuoka, the Fukuoka Tower is the tallest waterfront tower in all of Japan and was built to commemorate the city’s centenary.

Visitors can look out across Fukuoka from the tower’s observation deck which stands at a commanding height of 123 meters. Who knows, you might even find another destination in the city simply by gazing out at this awe-inspiring view!

The tower itself is also a great spot to photograph, as the mirrored surface is illuminated in various ways throughout the year. Each season you’ll be treated to a different light show to delight your eyes.

Dinner in Hakata

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Brimming with places to eat, this central part of Fukuoka City is an absolute delight for anyone looking for authentic and tasty comfort food. Known for its special style of tonkotsu ramen (pork bone broth ramen), Hakata-style ramen is a must-try for any ramen fan!

Outside of that, Fukuoka is known for its delicious and filling hot pot motsu nabe, as well as the vividly pink colored spicy cod roe mentaiko. After a day of traveling around the city, these dishes are sure to hit the spot for anyone looking to sample Kyushu’s culinary delights.

Day Two - Morning: Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine

Photo by Pixta

Nestled in the eastern mountains of Fukuoka, Dazaifu Tenmangu is a shrine dedicated to a prominent scholar Sugawara no Michizane (845-903) of the Heian Period (794-1185) in Japan. Nowadays visitors can enjoy the unique architecture and spectacular natural scenery of the shrine grounds.

While the shrine is known for its plum blossom trees, a little-known shrine also located on the grounds has a path lined with cherry blossoms.

Visitors can enjoy the springtime scenery of both and take in the beauty of the architecture as well. If you’re looking to understand the history of Kyushu, be sure to stop by Kyushu National Museum, which also lies on the same hill as Dazaifu Tenmangu.

Around Noon: Head to Takeo Onsen in Saga Prefecture

After visiting Dazaifu Tenmangu, we recommend making your way to Takeo Onsen in Saga Prefecture for even more sights and cherry blossoms! Saga is very easily accessed from Fukuoka, and there are several transport methods available.

One of the fastest and most convenient ways is to take a limited express train from Hakata Station to Saga city, which is covered by the JR Pass. Trains depart frequently (approximately once every 30 minutes) and the journey itself takes about 40 minutes.

Another option that is cheaper than the trains (and popular among those who don't have a JR Pass) is to take an express bus from Fukuoka's Nishitetsu Tenjin Bus Terminal to the Saga Station Bus Center. The bus journey takes just over one hour and the fare is 1,030 yen. Buses depart from platform 4 at intervals of 15 to 30 minutes.

If you plan to explore several areas in Kyushu during your trip, we suggest using the SUNQ Pass, a convenient four-day pass that covers unlimited rides on highway busses in Kyushu.

Though the journey is short, we suggest staying at a comfortable inn or hotel in Takeo Onsen overnight to get the most out of the area and all it has to offer!

Evening: Cherry Blossom Illuminations at Mifuneyama Rakuen Garden

Photo by Pixta

Located in Saga’s famed Takeo Onsen hot spring area, Mifuneyama Rakuen is a historic Japanese garden filled with various types of flowers. Beautiful in all seasons, the garden is home to thousands of cherry trees, as well as azaleas and wisteria, and it becomes a sea of color during spring.

The cherry blossoms are illuminated at night time, creating a hauntingly beautiful sight once darkness falls. This light-up event is the largest of its kind in Kyushu, and is an unforgettable experience for visitors to the area.

Made up of a number of unique and beautiful exhibits including the limited-time A Forest Where Gods Live (operating until November 5, 2023) as well as some permanent exhibits, the expansive teamLab exhibition at Mifuneyama is one of the best digital art experiences in Kyushu.

From digital pointillism pictures to the hauntingly beautiful Forest of Resonating Lamps, the teamLab exhibition is one of the most photographed places to visit on any trip through Kyushu. After a day of seeing the cherry blossoms around the mountain, a relaxing stroll through stunning digital art is just the ticket!

Day Three - Morning: Yutoku Inari Shrine

Photo by Pixta

A vermilion lattice structure rises above the entrance to the beautiful shrine grounds. Yutoku Inari Shrine is one of the “three great Inari Shrines” in Japan, which are watched over by the deity of rice and prosperity.

Photo by Pixta

The main shrine hall sits atop a vivid red scaffold reminiscent of the structure that holds up Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto. Framed by delicate cherry blossoms, it is one of the nicest springtime sights in Saga.

The mountain trail that leads to the innermost sanctum is lined with hundreds of red torii gates, just like the other famous Inari shrines. The path provides a calm and gentle walk through beautiful nature.

Afternoon: Sakura no Sato

As one final spot to view the cherry blossoms from, Sakura no Sato in the town of Shiroishi is one of the famous cherry blossom viewing spots in Saga. This intimate little park has around 650 cherry trees along its path.

With a beautiful view of the surrounding fields and rivers, this park has a great atmosphere for visitors looking to enjoy the cherry blossoms in Kyushu.

An Early Taste of Japan's Beautiful Spring!

Kyushu offers a taste of the very best of what Japan has to offer in springtime. The unique sights in Fukuoka and Saga offer only a taste of what this unique region of Japan has to offer.

Be sure to enjoy the region’s great food, warm weather, and the soft pink blossoms that make springtime a magical season to visit!