Can’t get enough of the beauty of sakura in Nagoya? Aichi Prefecture has a lot more to offer!
If you’ve got extra time to spare during your trip to the industrial powerhouse that is Nagoya, you might want to consider taking a day trip to neighboring areas for more sakura sightings.
Here are other cherry blossom spots in Aichi Prefecture that are certainly worth the visit:
Okazaki Castle
Officially named as one of Japan’s Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots, Okazaki Castle watches over 800 sakura trees planted on its grounds bloom every spring. Throughout the blooming period, festivals take place within the premises, including cherry blossom illumination events, so visitors can enjoy hanami in the evening.
Address: 561-1 Kosei-cho, Okazaki-City, Aichi Prefecture 〒444-0052
How to get there: On the Meitetsu Nagoya Line, make your way to Okazakikoen-mae Station. The Castle is a 10-minute walk from the exit.
Tickets: 100 JPY
Operating hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (sakura illuminations start at 6:00 PM and end at 9:00 PM)
Mt. Komaki
Picture this: A mountain teeming with flowering cherry trees that blend with lush greenery. That’s exactly what Mt. Komaki offers during springtime. And right at its peak, you will find Komaki Castle, where you can take in the panoramic views of countless sakura trees.
Address: 1-1 Horinouchi, Komaki-City, Aichi Prefecture 〒485-0046
How to get there: Take the train on the Meitetsu Komaki Line bound for Komaki Station. The mountain and castle is about a 20-minute walk westward from the train station exit.
Tickets: You can visit Mt. Komaki for free. If you wish to visit the museum, however, the fee is 100 JPY for adults. Children may enter free of charge.
Operating hours: Komakiyama Historical Park is open 24/7.
Gojo River
Some 1,300 cherry trees line the banks on both sides of Gojo River in Iwakura City, forming a beautiful pink arch over the river every spring. Aside from the cherry tree illuminations, the highlight of this famous cherry blossom viewing spot is the parade of floats and cultural shows, like “nonbori arai,” a 400-year-old tradition, where local artisans rinse the glue off hand-dyed koinobori carp streamers.
Address: 2-1, Shimoichiba, Shimohommachi, Iwakura-City, Aichi Prefecture 〒482-0000
How to get there: Take the Meitetsu Inuyama Line from Nagoya Station and step down at Iwakura Station. The river is a five-minute walk away.
Tickets: You can visit Gojo River free of charge.
Operating hours: The banks of Gojo River are open 24/7.
Inuyama Castle & Kisogawa River
For a unique cherry blossom viewing experience, take a sightseeing boat tour on Kisogawa River. Cruising down the waters, you will be treated to stunning vistas of Inuyama Castle, which is one of the 12 remaining pre-modern tenshu castles that still stand today.
Address: Inuyama Castle Tourist Information Center, 12-17 Kita-Koken, Inuyama, Inuyama-shi, Aichi Prefecture 〒484-0082
How to get there: Take the train on the Meitatsu Inuyama Line to Inuyama Yuen Station. The dock is a 10-minute walk from the East Exit of the train station.
Tickets: Prices start at 1,500 JPY.
Operating hours: The ferry’s first departure is scheduled at 9:30 AM. There are five more departures within the day, with the last at 3:00 PM.
Aichi Greenery Center
This expansive facility in Toyota City boasts a wide variety of gardens. But in spring, its most visited section is the 130-meter-long promenade in a Japanese-style garden, where the delightfully pink sakura trees blend with snow-white Thunberg’s meadowsweets, creating a dreamy atmosphere.
Address: 21-1 Saruta, Nishinakayama-cho, Toyota-City, Aichi Prefecture 〒470-0431
How to get there: Take the Oiden Bus Fujioka-Toyota Linebound for Fujioka Chugakko-mae via Nishi-Nakayama from Toyotashi Station East Side Bus Platforms (Meitetsu Mikawa Line, board from Fushimi, Akaike, or Chiryu). Alight at Ryokka Center. The entire bus ride lasts for about 33 minutes.
Tickets: You can visit Aichi Greenery Center free of charge.
Operating hours: Tuesdays to Sundays, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Navigating Aichi Prefecture as a first-timer might be tricky. But with the help of a little searching here and there while connected to high-speed internet, you’ll surely get to your destination!
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***Featured image by Sachina Hobo on Unsplash
