The secret guide to enjoying cherry blossoms and spring in Kitakyushu

Apart from the Okinawa Islands, the first place in Japan to usher in cherry blossom season is Kitakyushu in northern Kyushu. Here, the popular cherry blossom spots and secret hideaways featured in the "Best Sakura Selection in Northern Kyushu" are compiled into this secret guidebook. Click to view.

Kushida Shrine is located in the old city center of Hakata, Fukuoka, and is a place of faith for the people of Hakata. The tall and exquisite Yamakasa floats within the shrine are well-preserved, and the sake barrels offered to the shrine blend with the cherry blossoms to create the most beautiful picture.
The avenue on the horse farm is lined with cherry trees that are very old, forming a cherry blossom avenue. This is one of the most popular flower viewing spots in Fukuoka, typically visited only by locals. From late March to early April each year, the cherry blossoms on both sides of the road are in full bloom, creating a canopy that attracts around 100,000 visitors. The spectacular scene is beyond imagination.
Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine is located in Dazaifu City, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. It is considered one of the main shrines of Tenmangu in Japan, alongside Kitano Tenmangu in Kyoto. The water system design in front of the shrine is beautiful, and the plum and cherry blossoms bloom brilliantly in spring. This is a place where Japanese people pray for academic success and passing exams, so it is very popular, with many students ringing bells and praying. The fortune-telling here is also said to be very accurate.
In spring, this is an excellent spot for cherry blossom viewing. The park is well-designed, and you can get guide maps in various languages at the entrance. These maps feature walking tours of different durations, ranging from one to three hours, marked in different colors.

Ogi Mountain Cherry Blossom Park

Ogi Mountain Cherry Blossom Park is a famous spot for cherry blossom viewing in Beppu. Nearly 6000 cherry blossom trees are planted here, making it a great place to enjoy the blossoms from a high vantage point. In the park, you can overlook the beautiful scenery of Beppu Bay, and the steam from Beppu's numerous hot springs blends seamlessly with the sea view. Ogi Mountain Cherry Blossom Park is also an excellent place for hiking, with many trails suitable for enjoying the flowers on foot.

Sea Hell (Hot Spring)

Sea Hell gets its name because the largest hot spring in the park presents a beautiful emerald blue-green color, resembling the sea. The steaming hot mist creates an otherworldly atmosphere. In spring, cherry blossoms bloom here, and enjoying the flowers while soaking a few eggs in the hot spring is a delightful experience. Sea Hell has a dedicated free foot bath area where tired visitors can soak their feet, providing a very comfortable and enjoyable experience.
The garden's scenery is excellent, and it is well worth a visit even without cherry blossoms. It is especially charming during the spring when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. There is a dedicated area in the back of the garden for visitors to enjoy the cherry blossoms, making it a perfect spot to combine cherry blossom viewing with a tea experience. Sitting in the garden's tea house, you can gaze at the pink cherry blossoms against the moss-covered hills while enjoying traditional Japanese matcha and Kyushu sweets, making it an ideal place for a leisurely afternoon of cherry blossom viewing.
Shimabara Castle, with a history of 300 years, is surrounded by cherry blossoms planted along the moat. The entire ancient castle is encircled by approximately 250 cherry trees. In spring, the 1.5-kilometer path around the moat is filled with pink cherry blossoms, creating a mesmerizing scene. Part of this path forms a cherry blossom tunnel, which is breathtakingly beautiful. The castle is also open for night visits, allowing visitors to enjoy the enchanting night cherry blossom views.
Omura Park is home to approximately 2,000 cherry blossom trees of 21 different varieties. In the center of the park, at Omura Shrine, over 300 Omura cherry trees are planted. Each year, the elegant Omura cherry blossoms bloom beautifully after the Somei Yoshino cherry blossoms have finished, turning a corner of the park pink. Cherry blossom viewing period: Late March to mid-April. Night cherry blossom illumination: From dusk to 23:00.
The spring scenery in Takeo is extremely beautiful. Cherry blossoms bloom all over the hot spring street, and the medical beauty sanatorium is surrounded by cherry blossoms. Takeo in spring is a sea of pink and white, indescribably beautiful. Soaking in the hot springs, with gusts of wind blowing and petals falling, one can't help but marvel.
Mifuneyama Rakuen is a Japanese national monument, known for its garden that was once the villa of the old Takeo Nabeshima family. It is a famous spot for cherry blossom viewing in spring and autumn foliage viewing, with the Mifuneyama cliff as its backdrop. In spring, it is renowned for its early spring cherry blossoms and late spring azaleas. The garden spans 500,000 square meters, offering a panoramic view of a sea of flowers. When the azaleas bloom, the garden is filled with vibrant colors. The cherry blossom season is also picturesque. At night, the garden is famous for its illuminated night views, offering a serene and beautiful experience.
Ogimachi Park is the only representative of Saga in the 'Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots'. As a typical Japanese garden, it is very distinctive: the combination of tea rooms, shrines, ponds, and rock gardens has made the park one of Japan's Top 100 Historical Parks. During the blooming season, more than 3,000 cherry blossom trees bloom inside and outside the park, making this dual-selected park famous. At night, there is a light display on the pond's surface in the park, with the reflection of cherry blossoms faintly visible, adding infinite imagination. Visiting Ogimachi Park also allows you to enjoy the local famous carp cuisine and the representative local sweet, Ogimachi Yokan, combining beautiful scenery and delicious food.
Xu Fu Bicycle Path is one of the best places to enjoy cherry blossoms in Saga City. Even outside the cherry blossom season, this path is ideal for tourists to take a stroll. Approximately 1,200 cherry trees are planted along both sides of the road, attracting countless locals and tourists to walk and admire the blossoms when they are in full bloom.
This is a great place to view autumn leaves in Kitakyushu City, and also a wonderful spot to enjoy cherry blossoms in spring. After the beginning of spring, the green grass flourishes, and the small purple flowers of rosemary bloom, emitting a charming fragrance. The cherry blossoms also bloom brilliantly under the bright sun. As a city park, picnicking under the cherry trees is a favorite activity for locals.
Kumamoto Castle is surrounded by cherry blossom trees, making it a splendid sight in spring. The entire moat is lined with large cherry blossom trees, creating a breathtaking view.
The entrance to Nokonoshima Island is a cherry blossom square, and along the way to the seaside, there are large cherry blossom trees with charming flower buds. The rapeseed flowers by the seaside are also very splendid.

Maizuru Park

Maizuru Park is composed of several well-arranged areas, with different varieties of cherry blossoms distributed among them. Climbing up to the castle ruins, you can overlook the entire city of Fukuoka. Maizuru Park is open 24 hours, allowing for night cherry blossom viewing (some small areas close earlier).