2018 Cherry Blossom Forecast: When & Where To Catch The View (with Halal food info)
Winter is going to end soon, and it's time for pink blossom flowers to take over Japan! Yeap, it is the season that everyone is waiting for, spring! It doesn't matter if you are going to Tokyo or Hokkaido, we got you covered. Well, I guess it's time to plan when and where, visit the best spots and also Halal restaurants nearby *Caution: This articles is overloaded with pinku colour*
1. Kagoshima: 19 - 29 March
As we were told, cherry blossoms are going to cover all of Japan and that includes Kyushu Prefecture! Kagoshima, the city that is well-known by nature lovers. So, enjoy your time for cherry blossom viewing when you are in Kagoshima because it's the Southernmost island in Japan! Well, thanks to that there will be a few places thats going to leave you in awe and also... save your money *pssttt* FREE entrance 😉
Yoshino Park
Bring your mat and lie down under the tree by Kagoshima Kankou
Information
| Address | 7955 Yoshinochō, Kagoshima-shi, Kagoshima-ken 892-0871 |
| Access | Take the Nangoku Kotsu Bus bound for Yoshino Koen from Kagoshima Chuo Station. Approximately 25 min. journey |
| Phone | 099-243-0155 |
| Opening Hours | 7:00 - 18:00 (March)/ 6:00 - 19:00 (April - June)/ 6:00 - 19:30 (July - August) / 6:00 - 19:00 (September) / 6:00 - 17:00 (November - February) |
| Admission fee | Free |
| More info on | Yoshino Park |
| Nearby Halal Restaurant | Kurozunosato Kakuida |
Senga-nen Garden
Walk around the path of Senganen Garden by Trip Advisor
Information
| Address | 9700-1 Yoshinocho, Kagoshima city, Kagoshima |
| Access | 10 minutes by bus at Kagoshima Station & get off at the Sengan-en Mae bus stop. |
| Phone | 099-247-1551 |
| Opening Hours | Open throughout the year (Closed on Kagoshima Marathon's Day) 8.30 AM to 17:30PM |
| Admission fee | Entrance fee to Sengan-en only: Adult ¥1,000 / Child (7-15 years old) ¥500 Entrance fee + The House: Adult ¥1,300 / Child (7-15 years old) ¥650 |
| More info on | Sengan-en Garden |
| Nearby Halal Restaurant | Tosenkyo Somen Nagashi |
2. Tokyo: 20 - 27 March
It's not all skyscraper when you're in the city. If you're in Tokyo and worried about finding a place for your Hanami, worry not we got your back! The famous park would be Shinjuku Gyouen Park but why not visit the best two spots for cherry blossom too! 😉
Ueno Park
Surrounding yourself with sakura trees by Flickr
Information
| Address | 5-20 Uenokoen, Taito, Tokyo |
| Access | Located next to JR Ueno Station, please walk through "Park Exit". |
| Phone | 03-3828-5644 |
| Opening Hours | 5:00 - 23:00 |
| Admission fee | Free |
| More info on | Ueno Park |
| Nearby Halal Restaurant | Chicken Man Ueno |
Chidorigafuchi
Row Row Your Boat by Rich Adams
Information
| Address | Kudan Minami 2-chome—Sanbancho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo |
| Access | 5 min. walk from Tokyo Metro Kudanshita Station Exit 2 |
| Phone | 03-3556-0391 |
| Opening Hours | 11:00 - 17:30 |
| Admission fee | Entrance fee: Free ¥500 for 30 minutes (regular season) and ¥800 for 30 minutes (hanami season) |
| More info on | Chidorigafuchi |
| Nearby Halal Restaurant | Bosphorus Hasan Ichigaya |
3. Nagoya: 21 - 31 March
If you think Tokyo is too crowded for a quiet Hanami, why not take a quick shinkansen trip to Nagoya with your JAPAN RAIL Pass and experience a different kind of Hanami!
Yamazakigawa Riverside
Full bloom of cherry blossom by Japan Guide
Information
| Address | 4-1 Otodomachi, Mizuho-Ward, Nagoya-City, Aichi Prefecture |
| Access | 15 min. walk from Mizuho-Kuyakusho Station of the subway Sakuradori Line. |
| Phone | 052-831-6161 |
| Opening Hours | 24 hours |
| Admission fee | Free |
| More info on | Yamazakigawa River |
| Nearby Halal Restaurant | Mega Kebab |
Tsuruma Park
Eat, rest and enjoy your day at Tsuruma Pak by Bariston
Information
| Address | 1 Tsurumai, Showa-Ward, Nagoya-City, Aichi Prefecture |
| Access | Take Nagoya Subway Tsurumai Line to Tsurumai Koen Station. Use exit #4 and the park is a 30-second walk from there. |
| Phone | 052-733-8340 |
| Opening Hours | 24 hours |
| Admission fee | Free |
| More info on | Tsuruma Park |
| Nearby Halal Restaurant | Food Cafe Juliet |
4. Kyoto: 21 - 29 March
We have entered Kansai area officially *yay* and it's time to show the pink and soft side of this historical place! There are tons of cherry blossom viewing places that Kyoto has to offer and these are a few of the hot sizzling spots!
Philosopher's Path
No matter how bad the weather, you still can view cherry blossoms tree by Surya
Information
| Address | Tetsugaku-no-michi, Jōdoji Ishibashichō, Sakyō-ku, Kyōto |
| Access | 5 min. walk from Tokyo Metro Kudanshita Station Exit 2 |
| Phone | - |
| Opening Hours | 11:00 - 17:30 |
| Admission fee | Entrance fee: Free except for some temples. |
| More info on | Philosopher's Path |
| Nearby Halal Restaurant | Persian & Indian Halal Arash’s Kitchen |
Togetsukyo Bridge, Arashiyama
Credit to Tetsuji Sakakibara at Flickr through Creative Commons Licensing
Information
| Address | Kudan Minami 2-chome—Sanbancho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo |
| Access | 5 min. walk from Tokyo Metro Kudanshita Station Exit 2 |
| Phone | 03-3556-0391 |
| Opening Hours | 11:00 - 17:30 |
| Admission fee | Entrance fee: Free |
| More info on | Chidorigafuchi |
| Nearby Halal Restaurant | Yoshiya Arashiyama |
5. Osaka: 21 - 29 March
If you can't get enough of cherry blossoms in Kyoto, head to Osaka to continue your Hanami journey! And... while you're in Osaka, might as well visit Universal Studios Japan to enjoy all the rides and experience a different kind of spring! Avoid the long wait and grab your e-ticket here and you are set to go for the spring of your life *screaming excitedly*
Osaka Castle
Get a 2 in 1 view at Osaka Castle by Totororo.roro
Information
| Address | 1-1 Osakajo, Chuo, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture 540-0002, Japan |
| Access | 5 min. walk from Osakajokoen Station on the JR Loop Line |
| Phone | - |
| Opening Hours | 9 am – 5 pm (The garden open until 21:00 during cherry blossom season.) |
| Admission fee | Castle tower 600 Yen & Nishinomaru Garden 200 yen (350 yen during the extended hours of cherry blossom season) |
| More info on | Osaka Castle |
| Nearby Halal Restaurant | KENNY Asia |
Kema Sakuranomiya Park
Walking or jogging is the best with this beautiful view! by Aaopo Haapanen
Information
| Address | 〒530-0025, 1-chome, Nakano-cho, Miyakojima-ku, Osaka |
| Access | 3 min. walk from Sakuranomiya station on the JR Loop Line (north) |
| Phone | 06-6312-8121 |
| Opening Hours | 24 hours |
| Admission fee | Free |
| More info on | Kema Sakuranomiya Park |
| Nearby Halal Restaurant | Bagus |
6. Sendai (Miyagi): 5 - 12 April
Let's head up north again, to the capital city of Miyagi Prefecture: Sendai! If you are looking for a less crowded cherry blossom spots, this city has to be your first choice, especially if you have a JAPAN RAIL Pass. The full bloom will be in April so if you've missed Kyoto or Osaka's Hanami you can still experience the full bloom in Sendai!
Mikamine Park
Chill and relaxing at Mikamine Park by Travel to Sendai FB
Mikamine park is known for its hundreds of large Somei Yoshino and Weeping Cherry Trees in a wide open lawn. Because of the large spaces, itattracts most of the locals to spend their time with family at least half a day! So, there's no need to rush and enjoy the vibe 😉 Information
| Address | 1-15 Mikamine, Taihaku-ku, Sendai-shi, Miyagi-ken |
| Access | 23 min. walk or 8 min. taxi ride from Minami Nagamachi Station to the park entrance |
| Phone | - |
| Opening Hours | 24 hours |
| Admission fee | Free |
| More info on | Mikamine Park |
| Nearby Halal Restaurant | Ohisamaya |
Tsutsujigaoka Park
Walking through the cherry blossoms tree by Universal Doll
Another hanami spot located in Central Sendai that has over 360 variety of cherry blossom trees! You will see tons of color, pink and yellow "Ukon" Sakura and see it more lively during night illuminations! If all the beautiful scenery and relaxing time is make you hungry, grab some snacks at their food stalls. Psst! You can check whether it can be consumed with our Muslim dietary card. 🙂 Information
| Address | 1 Chome Gorin, Miyagino-ku, Sendai-shi, Miyagi Prefecture |
| Access | 5 min. walk from Tsutsujigaoke Station (JR Senseki line) |
| Phone | - |
| Opening Hours | 24 hours |
| Admission fee | Free |
| More info on | Tsutsujigaoka Park |
| Nearby Halal Restaurant | T's TanTan S-Pal Sendai |
7. Sapporo (Hokkaido): 30 April - 4 May
Want to skip the busy season of spring and visit Japan a bit later than the crowd, but still want to see the full bloomed Sakura? Well, Hokkaido is the best place for you to visit!
Maruyama Park
Multiple colour can be seen by dragoncapypara
Information
| Address | Miyagaoka, Chuo, Sapporo, Hokkaido 064-0959, Japan |
| Access | 5 min. walk from Subway Maruyama Koen Station |
| Phone | 011-621-0453 |
| Opening Hours | 24 hours |
| Admission fee | Free |
| More info on | Maruyama Park |
| Nearby Halal Restaurant | Fuku No Ki |
Odori Park
Some of the flowers at the park by Japan Guide
Information
| Address | 2, Odorinishi, Chuo-ku Sapporo-shi, Hokkaido, 060-0042 |
| Access | 10 min. walk from JR Sapporo Station |
| Phone | 011-251-0438 |
| Opening Hours | Park: 24 hours Information Center & Official Shop: 10:00 - 16:00 (Closed on Year-end through New Year Holidays) |
| Admission fee | Free |
| More info on | Odori Park |
| Nearby Halal Restaurant | Ramen Horyu |
Forecast Sources: JNTO
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We're sure you are ready for spring but to get you even more prepared, we suggest you get a JAPAN RAIL Pass to ease the cherry blossom hunting in Japan! You can also enter "GEEY5" to get RM12.50 off your first purchases (how awesome is that?). And don't forget your tummy too! download our Halal Navi apps to enjoy Halal Food and enjoy the view of pinku pinku tree 😉
