Yokohama's cherry blossom viewing guide: the best places to see cherry blossoms and sightseeing spots

• Table of Contents
• 1. Sakura Street
• 2. Sankeien Garden
• 3. Motomachi Park
• 4. Yamashita Park
• 5. Cup Noodle Museum Park
• Bonus: Houseboat

1. Sakura Street

From the moving walkway that leads from Sakuragicho Station to Yokohama Landmark Tower, you can see the sailing ship Nippon Maru and the giant Ferris wheel Cosmo Clock with the rows of cherry blossoms in the background, making it a popular photo spot. Also, from the "Kishamichi" road, which opened in 1997 using the abandoned railway tracks, you can enjoy the scenery of Minato Mirai and the rows of cherry blossoms, making it a great walking path with a spectacular view.

Approximately 100 cherry trees
Best time to see: Mid-March to early April
Location: Minatomirai 2-chome, Nishi-ku

Access: 5 minutes on foot from Minatomirai Station on the Minatomirai Line; 10 minutes on foot from Sakuragicho Station on the JR Keihin Tohoku Line and Negishi Line

Minato Mirai 21 Sakura Festa 2025

March 15, 2025 (Sat) - March 23, 2025 (Sun)

Sakura Street, which runs from JR Sakuragicho Station to Yokohama Landmark Tower and Pacifico Yokohama, is a popular spot for cherry blossoms in the Minato Mirai 21 district, with around 100 Somei Yoshino cherry trees blooming beautifully every year. During this period, surrounding facilities are planning to light up the cherry blossoms and hold various events. On Saturday, March 22nd, Sakura Street will be turned into a pedestrian precinct, and exciting events such as a parade will be held.

Nearby tourist attractions

Yokohama Landmark Tower

220-0012 2-2-1 Minato Mirai, Nishi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture

It is a complex that houses offices, a hotel, and many other tenants. The entrance fee to the observation floor Sky Garden on the 69th floor is 1,000 yen, and you can see the beautiful night view of Yokohama. The 52nd to 67th floors are the guest rooms of the Yokohama Royal Park Hotel.

YOKOHAMA AIR CABIN Sakuragicho Station

1-200 Sakuragicho, Naka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 231-0062

YOKOHAMA AIR CABIN is an urban ropeway that opened on April 22, 2023 in the Minato Mirai 21 district of Yokohama. You can enjoy an approximately 630 meter aerial walk connecting Sakuragicho Station and KINKO BAY. This is a new tourist attraction where you can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of Yokohama from the air, including Rinko Park, Yokohama Hammerhead, and Yokohama Bay Bridge.

Nippon Maru Memorial Park

2-1-1 Minato Mirai, Nishi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 220-0012

You can tour the traditional interior of the sailing ship Nippon Maru, a nationally designated important cultural property! On the deck with the mast and many ropes, and inside the ship, we introduce photos, ship supplies, audio commentary, etc. of training sessions and the history of the Nippon Maru when it was sailing on the ocean. Normally, the sails are not unfurled, but about 12 times a year, we hold a full sail exhibition and unfurl all the sails.

2. Sankeien Garden

Sankeien is a historic Japanese garden in Yokohama that was opened in 1906 by businessman Mitsui Takao. Takao collected and relocated traditional Japanese buildings, and buildings from the Meiji and Edo periods are scattered throughout the garden. The garden, which spreads around a pond, offers beautiful scenery throughout the seasons, and is particularly popular during the cherry blossom and autumn foliage seasons. Cultural events and tea ceremonies are also held in the teahouse, allowing visitors to experience traditional Japanese culture. This place, where tranquil nature and historic buildings blend together in harmony, is a hidden gem in Yokohama.

Approximately 250 cherry trees
Best time to see: late March to early April
Location: 58-1 Honmoku Sannotani, Naka-ku, Yokohama

Cherry Blossom Festival

March 28th (Friday) - April 6th (Sunday)

During this period, the opening hours will be extended until 9:00pm (entry until 8:30pm) and the "Sakura Illumination" event will be held. Cherry blossoms and historical buildings will be lit up, allowing you to enjoy the atmosphere of an ancient capital and the rich Japanese scenery.

access

Sankeien Official Website

3. Motomachi Park

Located in the Yamate area of ​​Yokohama, this park is in a quiet residential area. Approximately 90 cherry trees are planted within the park, and can be enjoyed along with the adjacent Yokohama foreign visitors Cemetery and the Yamate Western-style buildings of the Ehrisman Residence, Yamate No. 234 Building, and Berrick Hall. Across the street is the white Yokohama Yamate Anglican Church, which is also a popular photo spot for capturing the cherry blossoms in full bloom and the church together.

Approximately 90 cherry trees
Best time to see: late March to early April
Location: 1-77-4 Motomachi, Naka-ku, Yokohama

Access: 8 minutes on foot from Motomachi-Chukagai Station on the Minatomirai Line

Official website

4. Yamashita Park

With a beautiful ocean view, this is one of Yokohama's most famous tourist attractions. In the flower beds and rose gardens within the park, you can enjoy flowers of all seasons, but in spring it is especially popular as a cherry blossom viewing spot unique to Yokohama, where you can take photos of the cherry blossoms with the Nippon Yusen Hikawa Maru and Yokohama Marine Tower in the background. The cherry blossoms on the east side of the park, around the World Square, are particularly spectacular.

Approximately 20 cherry trees
Best time to see: Mid-March to early April
Location: 279 Yamashita-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama

Access: 20 minutes on foot from Kannai Station on the JR Keihin Tohoku Line, Negishi Line, and Yokohama Municipal Subway Blue Line; 3 minutes on foot from Motomachi-Chukagai Station on the Minatomirai Line

Nearby tourist attractions

Yokohama Chinatown

231-0023 Yamashita-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture

It is the largest Chinatown in Japan. There are supermarkets where you can buy Chinese ingredients, Chinese-style fashion clothing stores, and various grocery stores. There are 10 Chinese-style arches on China Street.

5. Cup Noodle Museum Park

Adjacent to Rinko Park, this park has a coastal area called the "waterfront embankment" and a gently undulating grassy area, and is attractive for its open sea views and modern port scenery. In spring, the Somei-Yoshino cherry trees that bloom between the Yokohama Minato Mirai Manyo Club and the canal add color to the beautiful Minato Mirai scenery. It's a wonderful spot where you can enjoy both the sea and cherry blossoms.

Number of cherry trees unknown
Best time to see: Mid-March to early April
Location: 2-6 Shinko, Naka-ku, Yokohama

Nearby tourist attractions

Cup Noodle Museum Yokohama

2-3-4 Shinko, Naka-ku, Yokohama-shi, 231-0001

Marine and Walk Yokohama

1-3-1 Shinminato, Naka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 231-0001

An open mall created from the idea of ​​creating a street in a coastal warehouse district, seamlessly connecting the sea and greenery. We provide a space where you can spend quality time just by being there, shopping while walking around town, eating while looking out at the sea, or just taking a walk.

Yokohama Cosmo World

231-0001 2-8-1 Shinminato, Naka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture

An amusement park in the Minato Mirai area. Because the area is small and it is close to the sea, it is a very comfortable and open place. You can see the ocean and the Bay Bridge from the Ferris wheel. This facility has many attractions that you can enjoy with your children.

Bonus: Houseboat

What is a Yakatabune?

Yakatabune are traditional Japanese boats that originated in the Edo period and were used by aristocrats and samurai as a place for banquets and leisure. The boats were equipped with alcoves and tatami rooms for a comfortable stay. They were particularly popular for cherry blossom viewing and enjoying the night view. Since the Meiji period, yakatabune have become popular among the general public for sightseeing and events, and are now popular as cruises to enjoy cherry blossoms and fireworks. Modern yakatabune boats maintain tradition while also being equipped with comfortable facilities, offering the perfect experience for special occasions and sightseeing.

A ride on a pleasure boat while enjoying the night view and cherry blossoms of Yokohama Minato Mirai is a truly luxurious experience. The cherry blossoms seen from the boat and the beautiful scenery reflected on the water are like a painting. Furthermore, the night view of Yokohama spreads out in the background, creating a fantastic atmosphere. On a pleasure boat, you can enjoy a leisurely meal and drinks while watching the cherry blossoms, allowing you to forget about your busy daily life and relax. It is a rare experience where you can luxuriously enjoy both the night view of Yokohama and the cherry blossoms on the quiet water. It is perfect for a special night with a loved one or a small celebration. Why not spend a wonderful and memorable time on a pleasure boat cruise where you can enjoy the cherry blossoms and night view at the same time?

*The photos are for illustrative purposes only and may differ from the actual route and cuisine offered.

Official website