[2025 Edition] Japan's hidden gems! 7 breathtaking cherry blossom viewing spots

• Table of Contents
• From Osaka and Kyoto, head to Fukui in about 3 hours! A spot where you can leisurely view the cherry blossoms
• 1. "Benten Sakura" - a beautiful combination with remaining snow
• ②Kagetsuro, a tangible cultural property with a weeping cherry tree
• 3. The hidden tree-lined spot: Minami Ohashi Bridge's cherry blossom trees
• 4. "Hota Station" is a popular photo spot that runs alongside the Echizen Railway
• 5. Cherry blossoms at Katsuyama Castle Museum with a view of Japan's tallest castle tower
• ⑥ Cherry blossom trees along "Takinami River" overlooking the Dinosaur Museum and Mt. Hakusan
• ⑦ Cherry blossoms blooming in the Japanese garden at "Daishizan Seidaiji temple Echizen Great Buddha（Echizen Daibutsu)"

Katsuyama City is one of the snowiest cities in Fukui Prefecture. You can enjoy the combination of snow-capped mountains, clear blue skies, and cherry blossoms that are unique to this region. The best time to see the cherry blossoms in Katsuyama City is from early April to mid-April.

In this article, we will introduce 7 spectacular cherry blossom viewing spots in Katsuyama City, Fukui Prefecture (Benten Sakura, Kagetsuro, and Yasuda Station). We will guide you through popular spots as well as little-known spots.

From Osaka and Kyoto, head to Fukui in about 3 hours! A spot where you can leisurely view the cherry blossoms

Fukui is surprisingly close to Osaka and Kyoto. There are the following ways to get to Fukui.

From Osaka Station to Fukui Station (one way)

◆Train [Travel time] Approximately 1 hour 54 minutes

◆ Private car [Time required] Approximately 2 hours 55 minutes

From Kyoto Station to Fukui Station (one way)

◆Train [Travel time] Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes

◆ Private car [Time required] Approximately 2 hours

Although there is Fukui Airport in Fukui Prefecture, it is not a suitable means of transportation as there are no scheduled flights.

Please take the time to enjoy Japan's cherry blossoms by traveling a little further from Osaka or Kyoto.

1. "Benten Sakura" - a beautiful combination with remaining snow

The best thing about Benten Sakura is the combination of the snow-capped mountains, the clear blue sky, and the cherry blossoms.

About 450 Yoshino cherry trees line the right bank of the Kuzuryu River for about 1.5 km, and are known as Hitome Senbon. If you walk through this tunnel of cherry blossoms, you might be able to see a snowstorm of cherry blossoms carried by a pleasant breeze.

Enjoy the collaboration of carp streamers crossing the Kuzuryu River, cherry blossoms, and remaining snow.

[Parking/Access] There is a free parking lot on the Kuzuryu River riverbed in Benten Ryokuchi. 8 minutes walk from Katsuyama Station.

Bentenzakura

〒911-0805 Tachikawa Town, Katsuyama City, Fukui Prefecture

About 450 Somei Yoshino cherry trees stretch for about 1.5 km on the right bank of the Kuzuryu River, and are called Hitome Senbon.

②Kagetsuro, a tangible cultural property with a weeping cherry tree

The cherry tree at Kagetsuro is a single, massive weeping cherry tree that is over 100 years old. Looking up at it swaying in the spring breeze from below, you can't help but be captivated by its historic presence and elegance.

The building behind this weeping cherry tree is the "Shunsai Shokusai Kagetsuro," which was built in 1897.

It is registered as a national tangible cultural property and has a historic feel to it. When you see the building and the weeping cherry blossoms, you will feel as if you have traveled back in time to the Meiji period.

The first floor is a restaurant that is open from 11am to 2pm, and is a facility where you can enjoy Fukui's local cuisine and culture.

[Parking] Free parking is available at Machinaka Parking (next to Akiyoshi along Honmachi Street). 11 minutes walk from Katsuyama Station.

Kagetsuro

2-6-21 Honmachi, Katsuyama City, Fukui Prefecture 911-0806

Renovation of the cultural property "Former Ryotei Kagetsuro" built in 1897 (Meiji 30). It is a tasteful building that once prospered as a geisha district. The first floor is a restaurant where you can enjoy local cuisine for lunch and a cafe menu with a Japanese taste. You can relax while looking at the garden where you can feel the four seasons of Japan. The “umbrella ceiling” that looks like an open umbrella on the second floor is also a must-see.

3. The hidden tree-lined spot: Minami Ohashi Bridge's cherry blossom trees

If you head upstream from Katsuyama Bridge, you will see the red Minami Ohashi Bridge over the Kuzuryu River. There are no tall buildings in this area, and the view of the rows of Somei-Yoshino cherry trees and the mountains is spectacular. It is a hidden spot with few people so you can enjoy cherry blossom viewing at your own pace.

[Parking/Access] Approximately 10 minutes by car from Katsuyama IC on the Chubu Jukan Expressway. Please note that you will need to park on the shoulder of the road when parking.

Row of cherry blossom trees on Minamiohashi Bridge

Shimotakashima, Katsuyama City, Fukui Prefecture 911-0815

If you go upstream from Katsuyama Bridge, you will see the red bridge over the Kuzuryu River, "Minami Ohashi Bridge". It is a little-known spot with a superb view of the row of Yoshino cherry trees and the surrounding mountains.

4. "Hota Station" is a popular photo spot that runs alongside the Echizen Railway

The highlight is the row of cherry trees along the Echizen Railway. When the train comes into the station, the view is so beautiful you'll want to scream out loud.

Echizen Railway, cherry blossoms, and snow-capped mountains in the distance. Why not go and see this rare scene that can only be seen in spring?

[Parking/Access] About 5 minutes by car from Katsuyama IC on the Chubu Longitudinal Expressway. Or get off at "Hota Station" on the Echizen Railway Katsuyama Eiheiji Line.

Hota Station

Hota, Shikatanicho, Katsuyama City, Fukui Prefecture 911-0848

You can enjoy the spectacular view of the rows of cherry blossom trees along the Echizen Railway, and the train and the snow-covered mountains in the background. Please take a look at the precious one scene that can only be met in spring.

5. Cherry blossoms at Katsuyama Castle Museum with a view of Japan's tallest castle tower

Katsuyama Castle Museum is a history museum that boasts the tallest castle tower-style building in Japan, and displays Edo period Katsuyama lord weapons and dyed textiles. Many cherry trees are planted in the gardens surrounding the museum, so you can enjoy the four seasons while looking at the castle.

The view from the observation deck on the top floor gives a sense of privacy.

While enjoying the Yoshino cherry blossoms, you can also enjoy the beautiful rural scenery of Katsuyama.

[Parking/Access] About 13 minutes by car from Katsuyama IC. There is a free parking lot at Katsuyama Castle Museum. If you are coming by public transportation, take the city loop bus "Katsuyama Nanbu direction", "Heisenji/Inose reservation bus" or "Dinosaur bus Dynagon" from "Katsuyama Castle Museum" at Echizen Railway Station, and get off at "Katsuyama Castle Museum" and walk for 3 minutes.

Katsuyama Castle Museum

85-26-1 Heisenji, Heisenjicho, Katsuyama City, Fukui Prefecture 911-08...

Opened in 1992, this historical museum is located inside a 5-layer, 6-story castle tower that boasts the highest height (57.8m) in Japan. From the observatory on the top floor, you can see the scenery of Katsuyama, which has a history dating back to the Paleolithic age, and the beautiful nature that is registered as a geopark. In addition to the collection of daimyo armor and battle screens, we also store and display works related to the calligrapher Nishiwaki Goseki. Now that most of the remains from the feudal era have been lost, the existence of this museum also functions as a symbol that allows you to feel at a glance that there was once a domain in Katsuyama.

⑥ Cherry blossom trees along "Takinami River" overlooking the Dinosaur Museum and Mt. Hakusan

The highlights of the park are the magnificent views of the cherry blossom trees along the Takinami River, the blue sky, and the snow-capped mountains, with the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum in the distance.

Along the river, a row of Somei-Yoshino cherry trees continues for about 700 meters, allowing you to enjoy a leisurely stroll and lose track of time.

Why not enjoy the spring scenery of Katsuyama while feeling the soft spring breeze?

[Parking/Access] Approximately 6 minutes by car from Katsuyama IC. Free parking is available at "Road Parking Dinosaur Highway" along National Route 416.

Takinami River

Takinami Town, Katsuyama City, Fukui Prefecture 911-0034

⑦ Cherry blossoms blooming in the Japanese garden at "Daishizan Seidaiji temple Echizen Great Buddha（Echizen Daibutsu)"

The Echizen Great Buddha（Echizen Daibutsu) is the largest indoor seated statue in Japan, larger than the Great Buddha of Nara.

There are over 1,200 stone Buddha statues enshrined on the walls of the Great Buddha Hall, making it a popular photo spot.

On the way from the Great Buddha Hall to the Five-Story Pagoda, there are many cherry blossoms in bloom in the Japanese garden, and a stroll through the garden while watching the gracefully swimming carp is very relaxing.

Please come and see the cherry blossoms blooming in a majestic atmosphere.

[Parking/Access] About 10 minutes by car from Katsuyama IC. There is a free parking lot at "Daishizan Seidaiji temple Echizen Great Buddha（Echizen Daibutsu) ." If you are coming by public transportation, take the "Community Bus (towards Heisenji )" from Katsuyama Railway "Katsuyama Station" and get off at " Echizen Great Buddha（Echizen Daibutsu)" and walk for 8 minutes.

Daishizan Seidaiji temple Echizen Great Buddha

911-0811 50-1-1 Katase , Katsuyama City, Fukui Prefecture

The model for the Great Buddha is a seated statue in the Longmen Grottoes on the outskirts of Luoyang, Henan, China, the origin of Buddhism. It is 17 meters tall. It is larger than the Nara Great Buddha (16.2 meters in documents, 14.98 meters in actual measurement). In addition, the halo is 23 meters, and the 3-meter lotus pedestal is placed on a 2-meter stone base, making the total height 28 meters. While the Nara Great Buddha is stocky, the Echizen Great Buddha is characterized by its slender and gentle face and neck. It is made of copper, with a total weight of 200 tons. In addition, 1,281 stone and gold Buddhas are enshrined on the three walls on the left, right, and back of the Great Buddha, and two arhat statues (10.3 meters) and two bodhisattva statues (11.2 meters) are enshrined on each side of the Great Buddha as attendant Buddhas.

This time we introduced seven spectacular cherry blossom viewing spots in Katsuyama City, Fukui Prefecture.

Have you found a spot you'd like to visit?

Cherry blossoms can only be seen in spring, so be sure to check them out if you visit Katsuyama City.