Enjoy cherry blossom viewing in Gunma, Gunma Prefecture, while avoiding the crowds, with its charming scenery of snow-capped mountains and cherry blossoms!

• Table of Contents
• Cherry blossom season arrives about two weeks later than in Tokyo!
• 5 cherry blossom viewing spots recommended by locals!
• ①Suwakyo Gorge
• ②Yaze shinsui Park
• ③Onakajima Park
• ④Shimoshindensanson Square
• ⑤Gokurinji Temple
• Minakami Town Sakura Map

Cherry blossom season arrives about two weeks later than in Tokyo!

Minakami Town is located at the northernmost tip of the Kanto region, so its cherry blossoms start blooming around the same time that they finish blooming in Tokyo.

Every time I see images of people crowded together to view cherry blossoms on TV, I think to myself, "I hope people will come to Minakami Town, where they can enjoy the cherry blossoms at their own pace!"

A lot of snow accumulates on Mt. Tanigawa in winter, so there is still snow remaining even when the cherry blossoms bloom.

The view of snow-capped mountains and cherry blossoms at the same time is something that can only be seen here in Minakami Town.

Please take your time and enjoy it.

5 cherry blossom viewing spots recommended by locals!

Cherry blossom viewing spots are scattered throughout the town.

There is a spot where locals often come to enjoy cherry blossom viewing.

Of course we will tell you about places that everyone knows, but we will also tell you about places that only locals know about.

①Suwakyo Gorge

You can see the snow-capped Mt. Tanigawa in the distance, the Tone River flowing along with cherry blossoms in full bloom along the riverbank.

From the roadside station "Mizu Kikokan," you can walk down along the river and enjoy the contrast between the snowy Mt. Tanigawa and the cherry blossoms.

Being able to see both snow-capped mountains and cherry blossoms at the same time is a view unique to Minakami Town and is a recommended spot!

②Yaze shinsui Park

It is one of the roadside stations at Yase Waterfront Park, a 2-minute bus ride or 10-minute walk from Jomo-Kogen Station on the Joetsu Shinkansen line.

You can enjoy a picnic with your packed lunch while listening to the babbling brook, looking at the snow-capped mountains in the distance, and the cherry blossoms.

At the roadside station's direct sales shop, "Harvest," they sell fresh, locally grown seasonal vegetables, and also serve snacks, set meals, and other meals.

Picnic at Yase Waterside Park with cherry blossoms falling all around

③Onakajima Park

Only those in the know know about it! Onakajima Park is fast becoming a new cherry blossom viewing spot, with around 50 cherry trees blooming along the banks of the Tone River. It is the number one cherry blossom viewing spot recommended by locals.

It's also photogenic to see Mt. Tanigawa with snow still remaining beyond the cherry blossom trees.

Take the Kan'etsu Kotsu bus, get off at Tsukiyonobashi bus stop, and walk for 10 minutes to see the spectacular view.

④Shimoshindensanson Square

Part 2: Only known to those in the know! Shimoshindensanson Square is also a recommended cherry blossom spot for locals.

This is the only place where you can enjoy two colors of cherry blossoms, one pale pink and one deep pink.

There is a field at the back, and dozens of cherry trees are blooming there too!

5 minutes walk from Shimonita bus stop on the Kan'etsu Kotsu bus

Shimoshinden Mountain Village Square

⑤Gokurinji Temple

Located on the west side of the Jomo Koge sta. Plateau, this temple sits on high ground with a panoramic view of Minakami Town.

The temple is surrounded by cherry blossoms in full bloom every year, making it look spectacular.

It was founded in 1505 by the second lord of Ogawa Castle, Lord Ogawa Kagesuke, and Zen Master Zaiten Sozo as the founder.

The area around this temple is also a place where hundreds of fireflies swarm from mid-June to mid-July.

Also, around the time of the harvest moon, a moon-viewing event called "Shigetsu-kai" is held.

As the place name "Tsukiyono" suggests, it is also famous as a place where you can see the beautiful moon.

Minakami Town Sakura Map

Real-time cherry blossom information available here