Top 5 Famous Cherry Blossom Spots to Visit in Shikoku Region

1. Matsuyama Castle (Shiroyama Park) (Ehime Prefecture)

Located in Ehime Prefecture, Matsuyama Castle is a place that is visited by a lot of tourists throughout the year. During spring, however, it transforms into a famous cherry blossom site that is packed with visitors who have come to appreciate the flowers. They rave about the contrast between the majestic castle tower that was built during the Edo period (1603 – 1867) and the beautiful cherry blossoms. The scenery is a feast for the eyes! The castle is perched on a small hill, so you will get to enjoy the flowers together with the superb view of the islands floating on the Seto Inland Sea. It would be best to go to the castle by the cable car that runs up to the eighth station of the mountain.

Best time to see: Late March - Early April
All-in Pass (Matsuyama Castle Ticket + Round-trip Cable Car Fare): Adult: 1,020 JPY, Child (Elementary School): 410 JPY

2. Nakagoshi-ke no Shidare-zakura (Kochi Prefecture)

Nakagoshi-ke no Shidare-zakura is a spot with an elegant cherry blossom tree in a place that used to be the rest area of the feudal overlord. This approximately 10m-tall shidare-zakura (weeping cherry blossom tree) that is about 200 years old is known for its gorgeous flowers that bloom in a refreshing pink color in the beginning, but then transform into a pure white color when they reach their full-bloom state. Note that this is a private residence, so please be mindful when admiring the flowers.

Best time to see: Late March - Early April

3. Mt. Shiude (Kagawa Prefecture)

Standing 352m above sea level, Mt. Shiude is a famous cherry blossom site with about 1,000 cherry trees. It has been enjoying growing popularity for the romantic atmosphere that is created when the summit gets covered in pale pink during the peak blooming period. From the observation platform at the peak, you can enjoy a panoramic view, made up of the pure blue Seto Inland Sea, the perfectly clear sky and the distant islands, which creates a beautiful contrast against the clusters of pink cherry blossoms.

Best time to see: Late March - Mid-April

4. Kira no Edo-higan-zakura (Tokushima Prefecture)

This cherry tree, which is about 400 years old, is widely known as a natural monument designated by Tokushima Prefecture. About 20m in height and around 4.5m in trunk circumference, it boasts the largest size among the cherry trees of the same variety in the region. The beauty of the pink flowers in full bloom on the spreading branches of the tree is breathtaking, and while the flowers are definitely beautiful during the day, they are even more bewitching at night. You will find the famous Imbe Shrine next to this spot, as well as a few hot springs around it, so you can spend your time in various ways before and after viewing the cherry blossoms.

Best time to see: Late March - Early April

5. Hyotan Zakura Park (Kochi Prefecture)

This is a park located upstream of Niyodo River blessed with a magnificent mountain and rich water source. Inside this park is Hyotan Zakura, an ancient cherry blossom tree, of around 500 years old, that has been designated as a natural monument by Kochi Prefecture. Measuring 21m in height and 6m in width, the scientific name of this tree is Edo-higan (also known as Uba-higan). However, its bud looks like a “hyotan” (gourd), so people have come to affectionately call it Hyotan Zakura. During the usual cherry blossom viewing season, locals would put up stalls in the area, so you can enjoy light snacks, local dishes and special delights while admiring the flowers. The road leading to the cherry blossom tree is narrow and can be extremely crowded on weekends during the cherry blossom season, so please be careful when you visit.

Best time to see: Late March - Early April

If you visit Shikoku during the peak blooming period of cherry blossoms, please make sure to drop by the above spots. Note though, that it is spring and there are still a lot of chilly days, so do not forget to bring something warm, especially if you come for night-time cherry blossom viewing.