In the serene hills of Obara, nestled within Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, something truly magical takes place: cherry blossoms in autumn. This rare, enchanting spectacle has earned the name Shikizakura—the “four-season cherry blossom”—and it’s one of the only places in Japan where you can witness delicate cherry blossoms blooming amid fiery red and orange autumn foliage.
Blossoms Rooted In History
The origin of Obara’s Shikizakura dates back to the early 19th century, when a samurai physician named Genseki Fujimoto brought a seedling from a temple in Nagoya. Soon enough, this tree flourished, becoming the parent of a remarkable lineage and the official tree of the Obara District. The Maebora Shikizakura—an ancient specimen over 100 years old—has even been designated a Natural Monument by Aichi Prefecture, reflecting its cultural and natural significance.
A Beautiful Sight In Two Seasons
Unlike regular cherry trees that bloom only once in spring, Obara’s Shikizakura burst into bloom twice—once in spring and again between October and December, with peak viewing typically from mid-November to early December. The blossoms—small, five-petaled, and pale pink to white—are believed to be a hybrid between mamezakura and edohigan varieties.
Today, Obara is home to approximately 10,000 of these Shikizakura trees, transforming the hilly terrain into a pastel dreamscape against autumn’s fiery palette.
The Festival of Autumn Blossoms
Each fall, Obara celebrates the Obara Shikizakura Four-Season Cherry Blossom Festival, typically running from mid-November to early December, aligning marvelously with the peak bloom period.
Multiple venues across the district come alive with stalls offering local treats, handcrafted souvenirs, and immersive cultural experiences. Here are some of the most popular venues where the Shikizakura Festival is held:
- Obara Fureai Park
The main festival site with stalls selling local delicacies, crafts, and seasonal souvenirs.
- Senmi Shikizakura no Sato
Known for its vast hillside covered in cherry blossoms, offering sweeping views.
- Obara Paper Art Museum (Washi-no-Furusato)
A cultural stop where visitors can learn about and try traditional Japanese papermaking.
Visitors can enjoy food stalls offering regional favorites such as goheimochi (grilled rice cakes with sweet miso), dorayaki with a cherry-leaf twist, and konjac oden—a savory and warming treat for chilly autumn days. Traditional music performances, cultural demonstrations, and night illuminations at select spots make the festival an unforgettable, multi-sensory experience.
Best Shikizakura Photography Spots in Obara
If you’re planning to capture the beauty of Shikizakura, Obara offers plenty of picture-perfect locations. These include:
Senmi Shikizakura no Sato
This is the largest Shikizakura site, with around 1,200 trees spread across rolling hills. The juxtaposition of cherry blossoms with fiery maple leaves here is particularly striking. A must-visit for panoramic shots.
Obara Fureai Park
With a pond reflecting the blossoms and surrounding foliage, this spot is ideal for reflection shots. Photographers often visit early morning when the water is still.
Maebora
This town is home to four-season cherry blossoms that are more than a century old and have even designated natural monuments of the prefecture of Aichi on November 28, 1984. The ancient trees make for stunning close-ups, especially when photographed against a backdrop of autumn colors.
Obara Paper Art Museum Grounds
The grounds surrounding the Washi-no-Furusato Museum are adorned with blossoms and seasonal crafts, making it a great place for both nature and cultural shots.
Local Walking Trails
Scenic trails between sites allow for more intimate shots of single trees or clusters in rural landscapes. These quieter paths are ideal for capturing unobstructed, serene images.
Photography Tip: The best time for photos is late afternoon, when the warm sunlight enhances the pink hues of the blossoms and the golden tones of the leaves. If you’re aiming for fewer crowds, visit on weekdays and start your day early.
Is a trip to see the Shikizakura in Obara worth taking?
Depending on your travel schedule and interests, taking a day trip to Toyota to witness the beauty of the Shikizakura can be one of the highlights of your trip.
After all, the area offers you a rare chance to experience the iconic sakura outside of spring. The delicate pink of Shikizakura alongside blazing autumn foliage is a once-in-a-lifetime sight. And not only that, unlike the crowded hanami spots of Tokyo and Kyoto, Obara provides a more serene, immersive encounter with nature.
How To Get To Obara
The best jumping spot to Obara is Nagoya, so you can easily include a side-trip to this village if you ever find yourself in Nagoya in autumn.
To get to Obara, take a train from Meitetsu Nagoya Station bound for Toyohashi and transfer to a train bound for Sanage at Chiryu Station. Alight at Toyohashi Station (about 1 hour). From Toyohashi Station, ride the Obara-Toyota Line of the Toyota Oiden Bus bound for Kaminigi and alight at the final bus stop (about 1 hour). The Shikizakura spots are about a 15-minute walk from the Kaminigi bus stop.
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*Featured image by BbenPhotographer from Getty Images
