Handa Botanical Garden, a famous cherry blossom spot in Okayama City

• Table of contents
• Handa Botanical Garden Overview and Access
• Highlights of the park
• Cherry Blossom Festival 2024
• Food truck opening period and time
• A word from Director Shibata
• Precautions
• Conclusion

Handa Botanical Garden Overview and Access

Handa Botanical Garden, located adjacent to Okayama city, is a cherry blossom viewing spot that is easily accessible from the city center.

The park covers an area of ​​110,000 square meters and is home to approximately 1,000 cherry trees, with 45 varieties including Somei Yoshino, weeping cherry, and Oshima cherry, painting the entire mountain pink in spring.

In addition to cherry blossoms, the park is home to approximately 3,200 species and 150,000 plants, so you can enjoy flowers of all seasons no matter when you visit.

[ Okayama City Handa Botanical Garden]

Address: 3-1 Okayama Prefecture, Kita Ward, Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture

TEL: 086-252-4183

Admission fee: 310 yen for adults, 125 yen for children

Parking: 93 standard-sized cars

Access (car): Approximately 15 minutes from Okayama IC on the Sanyo Expressway

Public transport: Approximately 15 minutes on foot from JR Hokaiin Station

Okayama City Handayama Botanical Garden

3-1 Hokaiin, Kita-ku, Okayama-shi, Okayama 700-0004

It is a comprehensive botanical garden that manages and grows approximately 3,200 species and 150,000 plants. The entrance has a magnificent view that looks like an open-air opera theater. It is located on a hilly area with an altitude of 10m to 85m, and the view of Okayama from the top is very beautiful. This place is less crowded than the famous cherry blossom viewing spots, so it is highly recommended for people who want to escape from the hustle and bustle, or for families. You will be amazed by the harmony of cherry blossoms, sky, and green colors. Enjoy a leisurely tour of Handayama Botanical Garden, which is approximately the size of 11 Tokyo Domes.

Highlights of the park

As you enter the entrance and look up, the cherry blossoms will immediately appear at the end of the slope. As the park is located on the hills of Handa, there are elevation changes within the park, so please wear comfortable walking shoes. Let's introduce the park from the bottom up.

Bonbori Stairs

Paper lanterns are set up on the stairs leading up to the cherry blossoms visible from the entrance. During the Cherry Blossom Festival, the lights are lit at night, creating a different atmosphere than the lanterns.

Slope cherry blossom path

For those with strollers, there is a slope on the west side. It has a gentler slope than the stairs, so you can enjoy a leisurely stroll while admiring the cherry blossoms.

Western Narrow Road

The narrow path on the western slope is off the main path and is a little-known spot in the park. It can be found by climbing the stairs where the Tsubakikanzakura cherry trees are located and heading south. The soft soil and flowers make for a lovely spring-filled photo opportunity.

Cherry blossom path in the middle of the south side

If you want to take a walk, we recommend the gravel path in the middle of the south side. With rows of cherry trees on both sides, it becomes a tunnel of cherry blossoms. It's not only beautiful when they're in full bloom, but when the cherry blossoms fall, they create a pink carpet, creating a truly charming landscape.

Cherry blossoms on the lawn

This is a grassy area located halfway up Handa Botanical Garden. Rows of cherry trees are planted on the south and west sides of the area, making it a truly beautiful place. This year, eating and drinking is also allowed! What's more, food trucks will be setting up stalls on the road on the north side of the lawn area. It's great to enjoy a leisurely cherry blossom viewing experience while eating delicious food.

It is also a recommended spot by Mr. Shibata , the general director of Handa Botanical Garden.

Bench on the northwest side of the lawn square

I think the best seat is this! It's a stone bench on the slope on the northwest side of the lawn plaza.

The view from here is truly spectacular. There are cherry blossoms everywhere, from above to below, and to the right and left!

The view from the bench

It's a breathtaking sight! Cherry blossoms are planted all over the hill, creating a pink world in front of your eyes, creating a truly magical sight!

This is near the bench on the northwest side of the lawn. You can get a sense of the scale of the cherry blossoms compared to my size.

Double cherry blossoms in the rock garden

These are double cherry blossoms blooming in the rock garden halfway up the slope from the lawn square to the observation deck. Each flower looks like a cute pom-pom! They bloom later than Somei-Yoshino, so you can enjoy the cherry blossoms even after the Somei-Yoshino cherry blossoms have reached their peak.

The slope to the observation deck

The slope leading to the observation deck is also lined with cherry blossom trees. When the cherry blossoms start to fall, the road becomes a carpet of petals, and you can sometimes see them performing together with the Kobanomitsuba azalea!

Weeping cherry blossoms near the observation deck

This is a weeping cherry tree that blooms before the Somei-Yoshino cherry tree. It's located near the observation deck, and it's so big! Compare it with the gazebo. Isn't it magnificent?

Cherry blossoms near the summit

Near the top of Handa Botanical Garden is an ancient burial mound.

This is a keyhole-shaped tumulus called Ipponmatsu Tumulus, which was used as an anti-aircraft gun position during World War II. This photo shows cherry blossoms visible from halfway up the tumulus. Cherry trees are also planted on the mound above the tumulus, and climbing to the top makes the cherry blossoms seem even closer.

It's as if you are surrounded by cherry blossoms. Be sure to try climbing to the top.

Cherry Blossom Festival 2024

Handa Botanical Garden will hold a Cherry Blossom Festival from Friday, March 29th to Sunday, April 7th, 2024.

During this period, the park will be open at night, allowing you to enjoy the cherry blossoms at night! In addition to the regular parking lot, there will be a temporary parking lot, so if the lot is full, a staff member will guide you to another spot.

[Handa Botanical Garden Cherry Blossom Festival]

Event dates: Friday, March 29th, 2024 to Sunday, April 7th, 2024 (also open on Tuesday, April 2nd)

Opening hours: 9:00-21:00 (last admission 20:00)

Food truck opening period and time

This year, for the first time, a food truck will be set up!

Opening period: March 29th (Fri) to 31st (Sun), 2024 (5 stores on the 29th and 30th, 4 stores on the 31st)

Opening hours: 9:00-20:00

From sushi, tuna burgers, and yakiniku donburi bowls to sweet treats like crepes and gelato, the lineup is so extensive you'll have a hard time deciding what to order.

Store location

The food truck will be set up on the road on the north side of the lawn square. You can enjoy delicious food while admiring the cherry blossoms. There will also be a pickle vendor near the entrance. Perfect for drinking or as a souvenir.

A word from Director Shibata

We also spoke with Mr. Shibata , the general director of Handa Botanical Garden.

"This year, for the first time, we will be having a food truck. We think many people, including those with children, will enjoy it, so please come and visit us," he said.

The general director and staff plan and prepare the lighting and food trucks so that visitors can have a good time. We are truly grateful to be able to enjoy ourselves in this way.

Precautions

・Please take home any trash you bring with you.

- Do not use open flames.

・During nighttime opening hours, viewing areas are limited. Please do not go beyond the barricade.

・Please follow the rules and manners and enjoy the beautiful cherry blossoms at Handa Botanical Garden.

Conclusion

What did you think? Handa Botanical Garden is a recommended cherry blossom spot that you should definitely visit. Come and spend some quality time with your family and friends, or enjoy spring by yourself! Also, after the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, azaleas will also bloom.

Handa Botanical Garden, where azaleas bloom in full bloom! Recommended spots for viewing