Wakayama City announces cherry blossom festival dates

A woman holding a lantern and standing in front of 3 pedestals in an illuminated forest

Wakayama City have announced festivals and hanami locations for the upcoming cherry blossomseason.

As the Japanese cherry blossom season is now starting, Wakayama City have provided an update as to where visitors can partake in activities such as festivals, picnicking and leisurely strolls, all while appreciating the seasonal flowers.

Wakayama Castle Park Cherry Blossom Festival

Wakayama Castle Park, the site of the historic Wakayama Castle, will host its annual Cherry Blossom Festival from March 20th 2025 until April 13th 2025.

During the festival, the park will be adorned with approximately 100 paper lanterns (bonbori) and 400 traditional lanterns, which will be illuminated nightly from 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM.

Following the conclusion of the Cherry Blossom Festival, the park’s illumination will transition to a “fresh green” springtime theme, continuing until May 11th 2025.

In a first for Wakayama Castle Park, the 2025 Cherry Blossom Festival will feature a collaborative illumination of the cherry blossoms and the castle’s stone walls, creating a visually integrated display.

Real-time updates on the cherry blossom blooming status within the park will be available on the Wakayama Castle Official Instagram account.

Sakura Festival at Kimiidera Temple

Kimiidera Temple, the second of the 33 temples along the popular Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage route, will also host its own Cherry Blossom Festival.

The festival is scheduled to run from March 20th to April 20th.

To coincide with the blooming of the cherry trees on the temple grounds, evening illuminations will be held from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM.

Kimiidera Temple is known for its early-blooming cherry blossoms and offers panoramic views of Wakanoura Bay, enhancing the cherry blossom viewing experience.

Roadside Station Shikinosato Park

Roadside Station Shikinosato Park is anticipated to offer cherry blossom viewing opportunities starting around March 26th based on flowering forecasts.

The park provides recreational facilities and is also a point of access for the Kishigawa Line, a local railway known for its Tama the Station Master cat.

Visitors to the park may also have the opportunity to experience a ride on a TUKTUK, a three-wheeled vehicle, along the Kishigawa Line, offering a unique way to view the surrounding scenery, including potential cherry blossoms.

Roadside stations in Japan serve as rest areas for travelers and often feature local products and attractions.

Cherry Blossoms Along Rivers

Various waterways within Wakayama City, including the Wakagawa River, the Daimon River, and the Suiken River, are recognized as locations for appreciating cherry blossoms.

The reflection of the cherry blossoms on the water’s surface and the phenomenon of hanafubuki, where cherry blossom petals fall like snow, are cited as particularly noteworthy sights along these rivers.

The linear arrangement of cherry trees along riverbanks is a common feature in Japanese urban and rural landscapes, providing accessible viewing opportunities for the public.

The cherry trees along the river banks are expected to start flowering from around March 26th.