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Sendai is home to many famous cherry blossom spots. This article features six iconic hanami spots in the city and two stunning spots outside of the city, so be sure to check it out!
Known as the "City of Trees," Sendai is surrounded by lush greenery. The city is also home to numerous famous cherry blossom spots.
This time, we’re featuring six iconic hanami spots in Sendai, including Nishi Park and Nishikicho Park. We’ll also introduce spots outside of the city–the Shiroishi Riverbank Hitome Senbonzakura and Saigyo Modoshi no Matsu Park–where you can see stunning cherry blossom avenues, not far from Sendai.
1. Nishi Park
2. Tsutsujigaoka Park
3. Nishikicho Park
4. Aobayama Park (Sendai Castle Ruins)
5. Jogi Nyorai Saihoji Temple
6. Mikamine Park
Scenic Locations near Sendai
7. Shiroishi Riverbank Hitome Senbonzakura
8. Saigyo Modoshi no Matsu Park
There are numerous famous cherry blossom spots in Sendai, many of which are conveniently located near the station, allowing you to enjoy the cherry blossoms while shopping or doing other activities!
This article explains how to enjoy hanami and the highlights of each spot, so feel free to use it as a guide!
Photo by Pixta
Nishi Park is the oldest municipal park in Sendai. It’s a well-known and popular hanami spot among residents and has even been selected as one of the Top 100 Famous Cherry Blossom Spots.
Nishi Park is home to around 200 cherry trees of various varieties, including Somei Yoshino, Edohigan, and Yamazakura (mountain cherry), creating a dazzling pink landscape throughout the park. The blossoms typically reach their peak from early to late April, making it a lively hanami spot.
During peak season, multinational food stalls line the park with free seating available. The park is illuminated with paper lanterns from sunset until 22:00, allowing visitors to enjoy the cherry blossoms at night.
Photo by Pixta
Tsutsujigaoka Park is a historically significant park that dates back to 1965, when Lord Date Tsunamura, the fourth lord of the Sendai Domain, prayed for his mother’s soul to rest in peace and established Shakado Hall.
He planted the area with 1,000 Shidarezakura (weeping cherry) trees brought from Kyoto. In 1989, it was selected as one of the Top 100 Municipal Parks in Japan.
Tsutsujigaoka Park is one of the leading cherry blossom spots in Sendai, just as its history suggests. During hanami season, approximately 350 cherry trees in 14 varieties go into full bloom, ranging from early to late bloomers, including Shidarezakura, Somei Yoshino, Yamazakura, Higanzakura, and Gyoikou (green cherry blossoms).
There are no evening illuminations, but the cherry blossom festival is typically held from late March to early May. During the festival, various events take place, with lit-up paper lanterns and vendor stalls, making the park bustle with people.
Photo by Pixta
Nishikicho Park is located in Aoba, Sendai. Kohiganzakura (winter-flowering cherry) trees are planted around the grassy field, almost as if enveloping it.
Kohiganzakura have small, deep pink blossoms. Blooming about a week earlier than the more common Somei Yoshino, they mark the start of the cherry blossoms season in Sendai, allowing you to enjoy hanami from late March. Before heading to the park for hanami, we recommend picking up a bento to-go from the underground mall at Sendai Mitsukoshi near the park.
Photo by Pixta
Aobayama Park, located at the Sendai Castle Ruins, is home to approximately 480 cherry trees, primarily Somei Yoshino, planted around the Sendai City Museum and the Goshikinuma Pond area.
During the peak season in April, you can enjoy evocative scenery, such as the Otemon Gate Watchtower seen through the cherry blossoms from Hirose River, or the flower rafts floating on Naganuma Pond. The cherry blossom avenue leading from the park towards Miyagi Sendai Daini High School transforms into such a magnificent display that it’s often referred to as the Cherry Blossom Path.
Photo by Pixta
Jogi Nyorai Saihoji Temple, located five kilometers past Okura Dam, is known as the village of Heike (Taira clan) fugitives. It is affectionately called “Jogi-san” by the locals.
The temple is famous for the Mausoleum of Sadayoshi Taira, a registered tangible cultural property where the Heike fugitive is enshrined, and Emperor’s Hill, where the relics of Emperor Antoku are believed to be buried. Many people visit seeking blessings.
Saihoji Temple is also a famous cherry blossom spot. For example, you can admire the delicate cherry blossoms blooming with the Five-Storied Pagoda in the background. The contrast between the beautiful cherry blossoms in the garden and the pagoda evokes the unique charm of Saihoji Temple.
Right near the temple, you can find local specialties such as sankaku aburaage (triangular fried tofu), miso onigiri (miso-flavored rice balls), and age-manju (fried buns) for sale. We recommend enjoying hanami with these local specialties in hand.
Photo by Pixta
Mikamine Park is a scenic park that stretches across the Aobayama Hill area in Sendai. Around the grassy field, a total of 750 trees in 48 varieties, including Somei Yoshino and Yaezakura (double-flowered cherry blossoms), are planted, making the park known as a famous cherry blossom spot.
The cherry blossoms at Mikamine Park include a mix of early and late bloomers, each blooming at different times. As a result, you can enjoy a vibrant cherry blossom landscape with deep pinks, pale pinks, and whites from early April to early May.
The Cherry Blossom Festival is held annually, featuring vendors, sales of original products, and free mat rentals. It’s a great idea to enjoy hanami with food or drinks purchased from the stalls in hand.
Outside of Sendai, there are also many famous cherry blossom spots scattered throughout Miyagi Prefecture.
It’s a bit far from Sendai, but if you want to see breathtaking scenery, be sure to visit the next two spots we’ll be introducing: Shiroishi Riverbank Hitome Senbonzakura and Saigyo Modoshi no Matsu Park.
Photo by Pixta
The Shiroishi Riverbank Hitome Senbonzakura is a cherry blossom avenue, primarily consisting of Somei Yoshino, that blooms in profusion along the banks of Shiroishi River, with the magnificent Zao Mountains in the background. It was selected as one of the Top 100 Famous Cherry Blossom Spots by the Japan Cherry Blossom Association.
The Hitome Senbonzakura, when in bloom, creates a cherry blossom avenue of 1,200 trees that bloom brilliantly in profusion, set against the Zao Mountains with lingering snow, and reflected in the clear waters of Shiroishi River, transforming the area into an absolutely stunning landscape.
The highlights aren’t limited to the majestic cherry blossom avenue visible during the day. During the Ogawara Cherry Blossom Festival, illuminations are held, allowing you to enjoy the cherry blossoms at night.
Photo by Pixta
Saigyo Modoshi no Matsu Park is said to be the place where Saigyo Hoshi, during his travels to various regions, engaged in a Zen mondo (a verbal exchange to provoke enlightenment) with a young boy under a large pine tree and was defeated, subsequently giving up on visiting Matsushima.
The park is home to around 260 cherry trees, including Somei Yoshino, offering visitors views of the cherry blossoms with passing tour boats and islands in the background during hanami season.
Saigyo Modoshi no Matsu Park has varying elevations, so the landscape changes depending on where you are. A highlight of hanami at this park is finding your favorite spot based on the changing views.
It varies by location, but the peak season for cherry blossoms in Sendai is typically from early to mid-April.
Sendai is predicted to reach full bloom on April 13, 2025.
Famous hanami spots in Sendai include Nishi Park, Tsutsujigaoka Park, and Mikamine Park.
Sendai is home to many cherry blossom spots despite being a city. In that sense, this lush, green area is befitting of the nickname City of Trees.
The hanami spots in Sendai introduced in this article are nothing short of wonderful, photogenic locations. If you visit the city, you’re sure to let out an exclamation of awe without realizing it.