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

Address7955 Yoshinochō, Kagoshima-shi, Kagoshima-ken 892-0871
AccessTake the Nangoku Kotsu Bus bound for Yoshino Koen from Kagoshima Chuo Station. Approximately 25 min. journey
Phone099-243-0155
Opening Hours7:00 - 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 feeFree
More info onYoshino Park
Nearby Halal RestaurantKurozunosato Kakuida

Senga-nen Garden

Walk around the path of Senganen Garden by Trip Advisor

Information

Address9700-1 Yoshinocho, Kagoshima city, Kagoshima
Access10 minutes by bus at Kagoshima Station & get off at the Sengan-en Mae bus stop.
Phone099-247-1551
Opening HoursOpen throughout the year (Closed on Kagoshima Marathon's Day) 8.30 AM to 17:30PM
Admission feeEntrance 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 onSengan-en Garden
Nearby Halal RestaurantTosenkyo 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

Address5-20 Uenokoen, Taito, Tokyo
AccessLocated next to JR Ueno Station, please walk through "Park Exit".
Phone03-3828-5644
Opening Hours5:00 - 23:00
Admission feeFree
More info onUeno Park
Nearby Halal RestaurantChicken Man Ueno

Chidorigafuchi

Row Row Your Boat by Rich Adams

Information

AddressKudan Minami 2-chome—Sanbancho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Access5 min. walk from Tokyo Metro Kudanshita Station Exit 2
Phone03-3556-0391
Opening Hours11:00 - 17:30
Admission feeEntrance fee: Free ¥500 for 30 minutes (regular season) and ¥800 for 30 minutes (hanami season)
More info onChidorigafuchi
Nearby Halal RestaurantBosphorus 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

Address4-1 Otodomachi, Mizuho-Ward, Nagoya-City, Aichi Prefecture
Access15 min. walk from Mizuho-Kuyakusho Station of the subway Sakuradori Line.
Phone052-831-6161
Opening Hours24 hours
Admission feeFree
More info onYamazakigawa River
Nearby Halal RestaurantMega Kebab

Tsuruma Park

Eat, rest and enjoy your day at Tsuruma Pak by Bariston

Information

Address1 Tsurumai, Showa-Ward, Nagoya-City, Aichi Prefecture
AccessTake Nagoya Subway Tsurumai Line to Tsurumai Koen Station. Use exit #4 and the park is a 30-second walk from there.
Phone052-733-8340
Opening Hours24 hours
Admission feeFree
More info onTsuruma Park
Nearby Halal RestaurantFood 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

AddressTetsugaku-no-michi, Jōdoji Ishibashichō, Sakyō-ku, Kyōto
Access5 min. walk from Tokyo Metro Kudanshita Station Exit 2
Phone-
Opening Hours11:00 - 17:30
Admission feeEntrance fee: Free except for some temples.
More info onPhilosopher's Path
Nearby Halal RestaurantPersian & Indian Halal Arash’s Kitchen

Togetsukyo Bridge, Arashiyama

Credit to Tetsuji Sakakibara at Flickr through Creative Commons Licensing

Information

AddressKudan Minami 2-chome—Sanbancho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Access5 min. walk from Tokyo Metro Kudanshita Station Exit 2
Phone03-3556-0391
Opening Hours11:00 - 17:30
Admission feeEntrance fee: Free
More info onChidorigafuchi
Nearby Halal RestaurantYoshiya 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

Address1-1 Osakajo, Chuo, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture 540-0002, Japan
Access5 min. walk from Osakajokoen Station on the JR Loop Line
Phone-
Opening Hours9 am – 5 pm (The garden open until 21:00 during cherry blossom season.)
Admission feeCastle tower 600 Yen & Nishinomaru Garden 200 yen (350 yen during the extended hours of cherry blossom season)
More info onOsaka Castle
Nearby Halal RestaurantKENNY 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
Access3 min. walk from Sakuranomiya station on the JR Loop Line (north)
Phone06-6312-8121
Opening Hours24 hours
Admission feeFree
More info onKema Sakuranomiya Park
Nearby Halal RestaurantBagus

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

Address1-15 Mikamine, Taihaku-ku, Sendai-shi, Miyagi-ken
Access23 min. walk or 8 min. taxi ride from Minami Nagamachi Station to the park entrance
Phone-
Opening Hours24 hours
Admission feeFree
More info onMikamine Park
Nearby Halal RestaurantOhisamaya

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

Address1 Chome Gorin, Miyagino-ku, Sendai-shi, Miyagi Prefecture
Access5 min. walk from Tsutsujigaoke Station (JR Senseki line)
Phone-
Opening Hours24 hours
Admission feeFree
More info onTsutsujigaoka Park
Nearby Halal RestaurantT'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

AddressMiyagaoka, Chuo, Sapporo, Hokkaido 064-0959, Japan
Access5 min. walk from Subway Maruyama Koen Station
Phone011-621-0453
Opening Hours24 hours
Admission feeFree
More info onMaruyama Park
Nearby Halal RestaurantFuku No Ki

Odori Park

Some of the flowers at the park by Japan Guide

Information

Address2, Odorinishi, Chuo-ku Sapporo-shi, Hokkaido, 060-0042
Access10 min. walk from JR Sapporo Station
Phone011-251-0438
Opening HoursPark: 24 hours Information Center & Official Shop: 10:00 - 16:00 (Closed on Year-end through New Year Holidays)
Admission feeFree
More info onOdori Park
Nearby Halal RestaurantRamen Horyu

Forecast Sources: JNTO

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  😉