Shikoku Spring Travel Guide

10 Best Places to See Cherry Blossom in Shikoku

Shikoku Island, one of Japan’s four main islands consists of four prefectures – Kagawa, Tokushima, Kochi, and Ehime. Between late March and early April, you can see amazing vistas of beautiful sakura blossoms on the island of Shikoku.

It is pretty hard to choose only 10 as the best cherry blossom viewing spots in this post because we believe the rest of the places that could not make it to “the top 10 list” are still worth a visit and they are all truly remarkable cherry blossom spots.

For example, the breathtaking sakura display on the island of Megijima and Togawa Dam Park in Kagawa Prefecture and Kagamino Park in Kochi Prefecture.

However, let’s explore our top 10 cherry blossom spots of Shikoku.

1. Mt. Shiude, Kagawa

View of sakura and the Seto Inland Sea. Photo Credit: 三豊市観光交流局.

Mount Shiude is located on the Shonai Peninsula in Mitoyo city. In general, no matter what time of the year you pay a visit to, it is a great sight to behold and you can always enjoy the breathtaking view of the Seto Inland Sea.

There are a number of good hanami spots in Mitoyo, and Mt. Shiude is one of those must-see destinations in the area that features stunning ocean views alongside cherry blossoms displays in spring. Numerous islands can be spotted too from its mountaintop observation platform.

Its delightful spring nature will definitely blow your mind when you take a leisurely walk along the mountaintop path to the observatory.

The beauty of the Seto Island Sea can be observed year-round from Mt. Shiude, but when hundreds of cherry trees reach their peak the view even gets much more eye-catching.

Mt. Shiude is a 90-minute drive from Takamatsu Airport.

The most effective and easiest way to get to the site is by car. If you have a valid driving license accepted in Japan, you must go there by car and save your time, as public transports are not frequent.

2. Nishigawa Flower Park, Kochi

Spring flowers at Nishigawa Flower Park, Kochi. Photo Credit: Kochi Visitors & Convention Association.

Nishigawa Flower Park in Konan city hosts the popular annual cherry blossoms festival called Nishigawa Flower Festival. It is usually held from mid-March through late-March each year.

The entire area becomes a fairyland filled with three different flowers, such as cherry blossoms, peach blossoms and canola flowers.

During the cherry blossom season, this park is one of the best weekend trips from Kochi city that will get you in the mood for travelling and inspire you to discover Japan more.

This beautiful park is located on the hill, covered by white, yellow and soft pink blossoms. There, you will find several trails to walk along. Don’t forget to gaze at those yellow canola flowers in the fields, as you explore the hill while walking on the trails.

Enjoy your hanami picnicking here and admire the beauty of an amazing Japanese rural landscape like this – truly a great scenic spot loved by many visitors! Prepare your camera and head to this park to take amazing nature photograph.

The park is a 25-minute bus ride from Noichi Station, Konan city.

3. Matsuyama Castle, Ehime

Beautiful cherry blossoms and Matusyama Castle keep. Photo Credit: Ehime Prefecture.

Not all the Japanese castles that you visit and see in Japan are original. In total, there are 12 original castles, which have survived since the Edo period. Matsuyama Castle in Ehime Prefecture is one of those famous 12 original castles, where you can see about 200 cherry trees on its grounds.

Located on Mount Katsuyama, a steep hill, Matsuyama Castle provides excellent panoramic views of Matsuyama city and the Seto Island Sea in the distance. Upon arrival of spring, many cherry trees start blossoming in late March, attracting thousands of visitors every year.

While roaming around the castle grounds you will find good spots to take photos of its main castle keep framed by dazzling sakura.

With many historical buildings found within the castle grounds, it is worth a visit not only in spring but also in summer, and winter.

Because it is located on a steep hill, you have to reach the castle by a ropeway or chairlift. The nearest tram stop to the ropeway and chairlift station is Okaido tram stop. Note that Okaido can be accessed by tram line five from JR Matsuyama Station (10 minutes).

4. Mt. Sekizen, Ehime

Sakura of Mt. Sekizen, Ehime. Photo Credit: © KAMIJIMA TOWN

Ehime impresses me a lot with its incredible historic attractions and spectacular sights, featuring some iconic views that are only possible to see in spring.

Located in the centre of Iwagi Island, Mt. Sekizen is a scenic spot in Ehime. It highlights approximately 3,000 sakura trees lining the roads and trails on the island, known as the feathered robe of a heavenly maiden. If you look down from its observatory, then you will imagine why is called so.

Its scenic views are renowned all over Shikoku Island. Alongside admiring cherry blossoms from its observation platform, you can enjoy stunning views of the Seto Inland Sea dotted with small islands.

The mountain trail is narrow, which leads you to the top of the mountain. In fact, that’s where the observatory stands. About 1 hour is needed to complete the trail, based on your stamina though.

Along the way you will see many sakura trees spreading their branches. Enjoy the pleasant ocean breeze and atmosphere when exploring the area on foot. You can use Google Maps to locate the trailhead leading up Mt. Sekizen.

5. Kochi Castle, Kochi

Kochi Castle Keep. Photo Credit: Kochi Visitors & Convention Association.

Kochi Castle is a popular place to go to see sakura in late-March. This hilltop Japanese castle is one of the last twelve original castles in Japan, which was built in 1603 on the top of Mount Otakasaka by Yamauchi Kazutoyo.

Although most of the buildings were destroyed by a fire in 1727, the castle’s main keep was rebuilt in 1749 and never been destroyed since then.

This kind of historic place is well worth a visit if you happen to be traveling around Shikoku between late-March and early-April.

Sakura here bloom beautifully, making the site a perfect photogenic spot for many visitors. Take a leisurely walk on its grounds, discover the stones walls and gates, be amazed by the castle’s unique architecture, and do enjoy a panoramic view of the castle grounds and the entire city of Kochi from the castle tower’s top floor.

The nearest tram stop of Kochi castle is Kochijo-mae. You can reach there from Kochi station within 15 minutes by tram. Kochi castle entrance is a short walk from that tram stop.

6. Tokushima Central Park, Tokushima

Hanami at Tokushima Central Park. Photo Credit: Sorrysorry at Wikimedia Commons.

Tokushima Central Park or the Ruins of Tokushima Castle deserves a spot on every traveler’s bucket list, especially during the cherry blossoms season. Indeed it is a great park to stroll around and relax. It is arguably one of the top cherry blossom spots in Tokushima.

Note that this castle is designated as a national historical site and the Omote Palace Garden is listed as a National Site of Scenic Beauty.

You can’t see any buildings of the castle there now, but stones walls, the main gate, statues, pond, birds, trees of different kinds and gardens with seasonal flowers. Usually, sakura trees planted within castle walls start flowering in late-March.

When cherry blossom trees are in full bloom, the park turns completely light pink! You can experience those beautiful blossoms by sitting on the benches and taking a stroll in the park.

The park is a 10-minute walk JR Tokushima Station.  

7. Makino Botanical Garden, Kochi

Sakura tree at Makino Botanical Garden, Kochi Prefecture. Photo Credit: Kochi Visitors & Convention Association.

Covering nearly 6 hectares of land, with approximately 3,000 species of plants, including exotic ones, Makino Botanical Garden is one of Japan’s top Botanical Gardens. It is located on Mt. Godaisan.

Opened to public in April 1958, Makino Botanical Garden honors the late Kochi-born botanist Dr. Tomitaro Makino. He is considered to be the father of botany in Japan.

In spring, you will find many varieties of cherry blossom trees, including late-blooming sakura and different sorts of spring flowers like tulips and phlox. This botanical garden without question provides excellent space for a pleasant walk.

Anyone can enjoy the relaxing atmosphere it offers by taking a stroll around the garden, looking at different flowering plants, and interacting with nature. Besides, you can discover its Greenhouse, Conservatory, permanent Exhibition Hall. and nearby attractions, such as Godaisan Park and Chikurin-ji Temple.

You can reach the garden by car from Kochi Station, which will take about 20 minutes. Check out the map of the botanical garden.

8. Dogo Park, Ehime

Hanami and Cherry blossoms at Dogo Park, Ehime.

If you are traveling around Matsuyama in Ehime Prefecture and looking forward to visiting an onsen town, I recommend Dogo Onsen, one of Japan’s oldest and famous onsen.

Surprisingly, Dogo Park is not far from the onsen town. So, you can explore both these places in a single trip. Dogo Park is a popular hanami spot in Matsuyama city, with perfect seating areas, walking paths, flower beds, and plenty of sakura tress.

This is not a massive park, so there is no need to worry about walking a lot, instead try to explore the whole park and enjoy a great hanami picnicking by bringing food from home.

Dogo Park was once Yuzuki Castle. The castle stood for 250 years between the 14th and 16th centuries. You can still see the inner and outer moats as they were at that time.

Go up the hill to the observation platform and the views you will see are pretty impressive. You can also spot Matsuyama Castle from the same place. How cool is that!

Dogo Park is a short walk from Dogo Onsen. You can check out the other notable cherry blossom spots of Ehime Prefecture.

9. Mt. Asahi Shinrin Park, Kagawa

This is one of Kagawa’s best cherry blossom spot. Photo Credit: 三豊市観光交流局.

Mt. Asahi Shinrin Park is an unexpected highlight for visitors of Kagawa Prefecture. Home to approximately 2,000 cherry trees, this scenic spot is magical in each spring.

This park is located at the mountaintop, where you will see a castle tower, shrine, and many sakura trees. The view from the castle tower is pretty impressive. You can see beautiful mountain scenery, Mitoyo city, the Asan mountain range in the distance.

During the cherry blossom season, the road leading up to the summit can be crowded with cars. On the other hand, you can reach the summit on foot.

The early you can manage to reach the mountain the better it would be to avoid the crowds.

10. Hyotan Sakura, Kochi

Hyotan Sakura Tree. Photo Credit: Kochi Visitors & Convention Association.

Situated in a park at the upper stream of the Niyodo River, Hyotan Sakura is a 500-year-old giant cherry tree. It has been designated a Natural Monument of Kochi Prefecture.

If you are going to visit Shikoku in spring, add this spot in your Kochi trip itinerary. Here you can discover not only this iconic sakura tree (Hyotan variety), but also other eye-catching sakura trees nearby, and flower plants like canola and shibazakura.

You can definitely spend a whole day experiencing some delightful views and picnicking with your family and friends. To truly experience the best of Kochi in spring, you’ve got to come here and appreciate the surroundings.

Important Notice!

From September 1st, 2023, the location of the regular sightseeing Chuo Bus Sapporo ticket counter and boarding area has changed to “Sapporo Station (North Exit of the West Concourse).”

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