Cherry Blossoms in Kyushu 2024: Top 10 Spots in Fukuoka, Nagasaki, and More!

Cherry Blossoms in Kyushu

The Kyushu region, located in the southwestern part of Japan, is home to Fukuoka, Nagasaki, Oita, Kumamoto, and other exciting destinations. It is known for its warm climate, abundant nature, and hot spring resorts, allowing visitors to enjoy a wide variety of scenery during the cherry blossom season.

In 2024, the cherry blossoms are expected to appear around March 27 in Fukuoka and March 28 in Kagoshima (source: Weathernews). We will update the forecast as soon as official information is available.

Top 10 Cherry Blossom Spots in Kyushu

The First Cherry Blossoms and Full Bloom Dates around Kyushu
1. Maizuru Park, Fukuoka
2. Kumamoto Castle
3. Sengan'en Garden, Kagoshima
4. Omura Park, Nagasaki
5. Mifuneyama Rakuen, Saga
6. Isshinji Temple, Oita
7. Saitobaru Burial Mounds, Miyazaki
8. SL Hitoyoshi, Kumamoto
9. The Great Sakura Tree of Isshingyo, Kumamoto
10. Darumizu Park, Miyazaki

Kyushu Cherry Blossom Forecast 2024

In 2024, the cherry blossoms are expected to bloom around the following dates:

	Start of Bloom	Full Bloom (estimated)
Fukuoka	March 27	April 5
Kumamoto	March 28	April 6
Kagoshima	March 28	April 6
Nagasaki	March 28	April 6
Saga	March 27	April 4
Oita	March 30	April 6
Miyazaki	March 27	April 4

*Source: Weathernews and Tenki.jp

Read on to learn more about the best cherry blossom viewing locations by area in Kyushu.

1. Maizuru Park, Fukuoka

Photo by Pixta

Maizuru Park is one of Fukuoka’s most famous cherry blossom spots. The park was built around the ruins of Fukuoka Castle. You can also enjoy other flowers and plants in the park during other seasons.

Fukuoka Castle has a 400-year history, but the surrounding area is used for relaxation and leisure by locals today. During the spring, the Fukuoka Castle Cherry Blossom Festival is also held, allowing visitors to admire the cherry blossoms blooming within the stone walls.

During this time, there are also illuminations and food stalls open for business, creating an exciting atmosphere in the park.

Maizuru Park

1-4, Jonai, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka 810-0043

Maizuru Park is an urban park in Fukuoka City's Chuo Ward where history and nature coexist in harmony. Located on the former site of Fukuoka...

2. Kumamoto Castle

Photo by Pixta

Kumamoto boasts magnificent natural landscapes such as Mt. Aso. The region's iconic Kumamoto Castle was built approximately 400 years ago. It played an important role in Japanese history following its construction.

Kumamoto Castle alone is impressive with its majestic form towering over the vast grounds. However, the pink of the cherry blossoms when in full bloom on the grounds in spring shines and contrasts beautifully against the monotone castle.

Kumamoto Castle

1-1 Honmaru, Chuo Ward, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture 860-0002

Kumamoto Castle is a historic castle located in Kumamoto City, Japan, and is one of the leading representative castles in Japan. The castle...

3. Sengan'en Garden in Kagoshima

Picture courtesy of Sengan'en Garden

Kagoshima is well-known in Japan for its active volcano called Sakurajima. Its name may include “sakura,” which means "cherry blossom" in Japanese, but it is not famous for cherry blossoms. There are theories that it was named as such because cherry blossom petals were found floating on the sea surrounding Sakurajima when it erupted long ago.

We recommend Sengan'en Garden for viewing the cherry blossoms in Kagoshima! This garden is where the villa of the Shimazu family, the feudal lords who once governed over this area, was located. Gorgeous nature spreads across a vast ground of 50,000 square meters with a view of Sakurajima.

Restaurants and souvenir shops are also found inside the garden. Visitors can also observe Satsuma Kiriko, a type of traditional Kagoshima glasswork, being made in the workshop adjacent to the garden.

Fees: Entrance into the garden, Shoko Shuseikan Museum, and mansion is 1,300 yen for adults (high school and up) and 650 yen for children (elementary and junior high school students). Entrance into only the garden and museum is 1,000 yen for adults and 500 yen for children

Official Website: https://www.senganen.jp/en/

Senganen

892-0871 9700-1 Yoshinocho, Kagoshima City, Kagoshima Prefecture

This is a Japanese garden that is a must-see when sightseeing in Kagoshima. It was built in 1658 during the Edo period by Shimazu Mitsuhisa,...

4. Omura Park in Nagasaki

Picture courtesy of Pixta

Omura Park is one of Nagasaki’s best cherry blossom spots. The entire park transforms in spring when the 2,000 cherry trees of 21 different varieties bloom. One type of sakura that can be enjoyed here is the government-designated natural monument, Omura Zakura.

The Omura Zakura flowers bloom in two layers and possess numerous petals and sepals. Differing from typical cherry blossoms with five sepals, this variety showcases ten sepals. These flowers exhibit a minimum of 60 petals and can extend to as many as 200. The flower's appearance resembling a rose sets it apart as a rare cherry blossom that even the Japanese seldom encounter.

Approximately 300 Omura Zakura trees are planted within Omura Park, allowing visitors to admire these elegant blossoms.

Omura Park

1-45-3 Kushima, Omura City, Nagasaki Prefecture 856-0834

5. Mifuneyama Rakuen in Saga

Picture courtesy of PR Times

Mifuneyama Rakuen, situated in Saga, is a park spanning over 50 hectares where you can envelop yourself in the beauty of nature. In spring, the park comes alive with the blooming of 2,000 cherry blossom trees alongside 200,000 azalea trees, crafting a mesmerizing and picturesque landscape filled with color.

Picture courtesy of PR Times

During the Flower Festival, the park features illuminations. From the end of March to mid-April, the cherry blossoms are lit up, while from mid-April to early May, the azaleas, wisterias, and spring maples (a type of green maple seen during the early summer) are illuminated.

You can spend the whole day here or visit in the evening as there are restaurants and teahouses, as well as Chikurintei, a lodging facility, in the garden.

Chaya Tea Bar is adjacent to Chikurintei, allowing visitors to drink sake and other beverages while gazing at the garden from a tatami room.

Fee: 400 yen for adults, 200 yen for those elementary school and under
*Between March 17 and April 14, admission will be 600 yen for adults and 250 yen for children. From April 15 to May 7, prices are 700 yen for adults and 300 yen for children.

Official Website: https://www.mifuneyamarakuen.jp/en/

Mifuneyama Rakuen

Takeo Oaza Takeo 4100, Takeo Town, Takeo City, Saga Prefecture 843-002...

6. Isshinji Temple, Oita

Photo by Pixta

The following places are ideal for frequent flower viewers. Although they may be challenging to reach, these locations are truly worth the effort to witness the breathtaking cherry blossoms.

Isshinji Temple in Oita is in a valley filled with cherry blossoms in the spring, surrounded by mountains. The flowers in the valley are stunning and are often described as a sea of cherry blossom clouds.

Access to Isshinji Temple: Take the bus from the bus stop in front of JR Oita Station bound for Tokiwa Wasada Town for 20 minutes (330 yen), then exit at Tokiwa Wasada Town. From there, it will be 10 minutes by taxi (2,000 yen). Or 40 minutes by car from Oita Station.
Hours: 8:00-18:00
Entrance Fee: Adults 700 yen, elementary students 200 yen
Official Website: http://issinnji.jp/index.html (Japanese)

Isshinji Temple

1305 Megusuno, Oita City, Oita Prefecture 870-1163

7. Miyazaki: Flowers and Historic Ruins at Saitobaru Burial Mounds

Picture courtesy of Pixta

Saito in central Miyazaki is the prefecture's leading agricultural area. It is also a town where much historical heritage dating from Japan's ancient times and middle ages remains.

The flowers are simply magnificent in this city! At the Saitobaru Burial Mounds, a special historical park, you’ll find rapeseed blossoms blooming brilliantly in the spring and cosmos in the autumn.

Of course, we can’t forget about the cherry blossoms. 2,000 cherry blossom trees and 300,000 rapeseed blossoms bloom around Goryohaka-mae, a spot within the burial grounds.

On evenings during Saitobaru Flower Festival held from late March to early April, you can view the cherry blossoms illuminated.

Saitobaru Burial Mounds

Miyake, Saito City, Miyazaki Prefecture 881-0005

8. Kumamoto: Magnificent Blossoms From the Steam Locomotive Hitoyoshi

Picture courtesy of Hitoyoshi City

In Kumamoto, you can view cherry blossoms while riding an antique-looking steam locomotive. Visitors can enjoy the cherry blossoms blooming on the riverside during the ride from Kumamoto Station to Hitoyoshi Station for approximately 2.5 hours. Ekiben, train bento boxes, and shochu with ice, an alcoholic beverage, are also sold inside the railcar.

Please make a reservation before coming as the train seats are all designated. A one-way ticket from Kumamoto to Hitoyoshi costs 2,640 yen for adults and 1,320 yen for children. To make reservations, make a phone call or go to any JR ticket office and inquire at the counter about reservations for the Hitoyoshi SL. You can book your seat as early as one month in advance. The train runs only a few times a day so be sure to purchase your return ticket too.

Please check the schedule on the SL Hitoyoshi webpage beforehand to see the days when the SL operates.

SL Hitoyoshi

Platform: Board from JR Kumamoto Station. It will take about 2 hours and a half to reach the final stop at Hitoyoshi Station.
Phone Reservation: 050-3786-3489 (JR Kyushu Phone Reservation Center)

9. The Great Sakura Tree of Isshingyo: A Cherry Blossom Tree in a Sea of Flowers

Photo by Pixta

The Great Sakura Tree of Isshingyo is a single, giant cherry blossom tree located in the Minamiaso Village. This cherry tree is over 400 years old, standing at 14 meters in height, with expansive branches measuring approximately 21.3 meters in the east-west direction and 26.0 meters in the north-south direction.

This great cherry tree belongs to the Yamazakura variety and typically blooms from the end of March to the beginning of April. Its unique shape resembles a bird spreading its wings and is thought to have been created by lightning and typhoons that have bent and moved its branches outwards.

This cherry tree blooms at the same time with the rapeseed blossoms surrounding it, creating a beautiful sight!

Location: Nakamatsu, Minamiaso Village, Aso, Kumamoto
Access: 40 minutes by car from JR Higo-Ozu Station
Official Website: http://www.vill.minamiaso.lg.jp/map/oozakura.html (Japanese)

Isshingyo Sakura

3226-1 Nakamatsu, Minamiaso-mura, Aso-gun, Kumamoto 869-1505

10. Miyazaki: A Cherry Blossom Tunnel at Darumizu Park

Photo by Pixta

Around 3,500 cherry blossom trees are planted at Darumizu Park. Countless visitors enjoy Cherry Road, a two-kilometer-long row of cherry blossom trees.

Every year festivals occur between late March and early April, when the park lights up with illuminations that last until 22:00. It is necessary to travel by car from Miyazaki Station, and no public transportation will take you nearby.

Darumizu Park

Uryuno, Miyazaki City, Miyazaki Prefecture 880-0044

Rent a Car to See Blossoms in Kyushu

This article introduced cherry blossom spots in some areas only accessible by car. Also, depending on the spot, public transportation may be inconvenient to use even if it is available. We suggest using a rental car when going to view the cherry blossoms in Kyushu.

As an additional tip, the second most convenient transportation means in Kyushu is the highway and local bus network. Consider using the 4-day or 3-day SUNQ Pass, which allows unlimited bus rides in Kyushu for a reasonable price.

Enjoy Cherry Blossoms and Springtime in Kyushu

Kyushu is a very large region in Japan. As such, you cannot travel to all the destinations introduced in this article in one day. In some places, public transportation is limited, so we suggest including these spots in your travel plans only after you've decided on the details of your Kyushu trip.

These ten places, however, are worth making a trip out to visit. If you are currently planning a vacation to Japan, visit Kyushu for stunning and unique flower viewing!

Main image by Pixta.