Spring

5 Best Places to See Cherry Blossom in Ehime

Ehime prefecture is located in the northwest of Shikoku Island, the smallest island of Japan’s five main islands. The area is blessed with picturesque rural landscapes, mountains, seas, islands and history.

In Ehime, you can enjoy cycling on Shimanami Kaido, eating delicious Ehime Mikan (mandarin oranges), bathing in Dogo Onsen, and exploring the grounds of Matsuyama Castle, especially in spring when cherry blossoms are in full bloom.

The prefecture has some remarkable cherry blossom viewing spots in the country. Today you will explore them and find out exactly where to visit in Ehime to see beautiful sakura in abundance.

1. Matsuyama Castle

Matsuyama Castle and cherry blossoms. Photo Credit: Ehime Prefecture.

This historic Japanese castle was built in 1603 on Mount Katsuyama by Kato Yoshiaki. It is one of Japan’s twelve “Original Castles” and features approximately 200 cherry trees on its grounds, making it as the best place to see sakura in Matsuyama city.

Matsuyama is the capital city of Ehime Prefecture that offers you a lot of surprises. Walking around Matsuyama Castle and viewing sakura on its grounds in springtime is a big surprise that you cannot miss.

Between late March and early April, many locals and tourists flock to Matsuyama Castle to see its delicate sakura and enjoy hanami. That is considered the perfect time when cherry blossoms are in full bloom.

View of Matsuyama City from Matsuyama Castle Ground. Photo Credit: Wei-Te Wong at Flickr.

Take either chairlift or ropeway to reach the castle ground. If you have time to spend and want to enjoy a hike, choose the footpath that leads you to the top of Mount Katsuyama.

From the top you can enjoy a bird’s eye view of Matsuyama city and the Seto Island Sea. We highly recommend you to look down the surroundings from the castle keep.

From Okaido Station (tram station), take a walk for about 5 minutes to reach the lower ropeway station. Okaido Station is a 10-minute tram ride from JR Matsuyama Station by tram line 5.

2. Dogo Park

Hanami at Dogo Park.

Situated close to famous Dogo Onsen Honkan, this park is another wonderful place to enjoy cherry blossoms in Matsuyama city. Dogo Park once was Yuzuki Casle. Some remains of the castle can still be spotted in the area.

If you are planning to have a perfect hanami party in Matsuyama, head over to Dogo Park. Visitors are allowed to have barbecue parties. There are many things you can find in the park including play ground, flower beds, sitting areas, walking trails, stream, viewing platforms and so on.

Hundreds of cherry trees are scattered throughout the park. Explore them by taking a leisurely stroll along the walking paths and don’t forget to check out Yuzuki Castle Museum.

This park is quite family-friendly and you can surly expect to have a memorable day here with your family. At night, cherry trees are lit up with paper lanterns. If you are planning to stay a night in Matsuyama, be sure to experience night hanami festival there.

To reach the site, take a short walk from Dogo-koen street stop on Iyotetsu Jonan Line.

3. Matsuyama Sogo Park

Photo Credit: Tourism Matsuyama.

Larger than Dogo Park, Matsuyama Sogo Park features a European castle, which in fact is not a castle but a viewing platform. It was built on the mountaintop to honor the friendship with sister city Freiburg.

Besides, it has playgrounds, lawns, benches to sit around for visitors, seasonal flowers, and a museum called the Matsuyama City Archeological Museum.

In the spring, visitors can see hundreds of cherry trees planted on the park’s grounds. Early April is the best time to visit the park as blossoms are expected very close to full bloom.

Without question Soga Kogen is a right place to enjoy breathtaking views of the Seto Inland Sea, surrounding hills, Matsuyama city and of course beautiful displays of sakura during hanami season.

4. Mount Sekizen

Cherry blossoms of Mt. Sekizen and Islands in the distance. Photo Credit: @ Ehime Prefecture.

A visit to Mount Sekizen during cherry blossom season is highly recommended. This area of Ehime Prefecture may remind you of Mount Yoshino’s impressive cherry blossoms on the mountain’s slopes.

Mt. Sekizen is worth a trip if you want to discover what really matters in Ehime in spring. It is one of my favorite sakura viewing spots in the prefecture. With its thousands of cherry trees and the beautiful surroundings of islands, visitors find this as a perfect destination to spend a day.

The mountain is located on the middle of Iwagi Island, where you will find approximately 3,000 cherry trees of different varieties lining the roads and trails. It is also known as the Feathered Robe of a Celestial Maiden “Tennyo no Hagoromo”.

You will encounter many cherry trees blossomed gorgeously when climbing up the mountain along the trail. In general, it may take 60-70 minutes of hike to reach the mountaintop.

At the top of the mountain, you will find an observatory, overlooking the entire island with tons of cherry blossoms in spring. Indeed it provides a stunning 360 panoramic view. Blue water in the Seto Inland Sea and the surrounding islands look pretty impressive from the observatory.

5. Hirakiyama Park

Sakura at Hirakiyama Park, Imabari.

It is time to head over to Imabari, a city of Ehime Prefecture on Japan’s Shikoku Island. Hirakiyama Park is famous for its cherry blossoms in spring. It is located on Hakata Island and according to many; this is a perfect day trip destination for Imabari residence.

If you are looking for a best cherry blossom spot in Ehime, this place is a top-notch. With over 1,000 cherry trees, Hirakiyama Park makes your trip unforgettable. Enjoy the fresh air and sakura as you being to roam around the park.

Paper lanterns are lit up at night and many food stalls set up, allowing visitors experience a great hanami atmosphere.

Don’t forget to observe the surroundings from the observation deck. This allows you get a panoramic view of islands, Hakata-Oshima Bridge and Tatara Bridge. The scenic views you will observe from there are unforgettable.

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