Where to See Winter Sakura in Japan

If someone asked you to conjure an image of Japan, what do you picture? Is it an iconic shot of the hundreds of torii gates at Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine? Is it the chaotically organized Scramble crossing of Shibuya? Or is it an image of food, like ramen or sushi?

For many, it's the iconic springtime sakura or cherry blossoms that paint the country in various shades of pink and white. But those who've visited Japan during spring know that this season is one of the year's busiest periods, and the parks and green spaces are buzzing with sakura chasers.

However, a lesser-known and equally enchanting phenomenon occurs during the colder months: winter sakura. These cold-resistant cherry trees bloom in different regions of Japan, turning the bare landscapes into breathtaking winter wonderlands. In this article, we'll share five spots to see winter sakura during your next frosty trip to Japan.

Best Time to Visit: November to mid-December

Located in Gunma, Sakurayama Park is one of the more popular spots for those hunting winter sakura outside of Tokyo. But why is the park, whose name most appropriately means “Cherry Blossom Mountain”, so popular? It’s because the park is home to about 7,000 rare fuyuzakura (winter sakura) trees. These trees bloom twice a year: once in winter and then once more in spring. If you’re visiting in spring, there are also 3,000 spring-blossoming yoshino cherry trees, which adds a colorful contrast to the already beautiful park.

If you want to get to Sakurayama Park from Tokyo, it’s better to drive as there’s no nearby train station. However, if you want to go there by public transport, set your destination to Fujioka City’s Onishi Post Office as it's the closest bus station to the park. Take the train to Takasaki Station, and from there, take the JR Takasaki Line bound for Atami to bring you to Shimmachi Station. After that, take the bus and walk the rest of the way.

Best Time to Visit: Late October to early December

Jomine Park in Saitama is a trail and park bordering Lake Kanna. The park has around 600 winter cherry trees that bloom from late October to early December, as well as various other facilities that make it a great day trip or two-day excursion from Tokyo.

On the last Sunday of October of every year is their winter cherry blossom festival, and from around the end of October starts the nightly illuminations of the forest’s deep red and pale pink foliage.

To reach Jomine Park, take the Ueno-Tokyo Line from Tokyo to Shimmachi Station (yep, the same one in Gunma), then take the Okutano Bus Line to the Dam Site Iriguchi bus stop and walk from there. There is another option: take the bus from JR Honjo Station and transfer at the Kamiizumi Sogo Shisho bus stop before getting off at the Jomine Park bus stop.

Best Time to Visit: November

Legend has it that the physician Genseki Fujimoto was given a shikizakura (four-season sakura) tree from a temple in Nagoya. This tree was then brought to Toyota City’s Obara district, where now over 10,000 trees live and bloom. One of the trees in Toyota City’s Maebara district is believed to be over 100 years old and has been designated a Natural Monument of Aichi.

During fall, Obara becomes a spectacle of brown, red, and pink leaves, making it an ideal place for a walk or picnic. If you’re coming from Nagoya, make your way to Toyotashi Station first, and from there, take the Toyota Oiden Bus bound for Kaminigi and get off at the terminal stop.

Best Time to Visit: November

Kyoto has everything. While the city is famous for its historical charm, it becomes a completely different locale during autumn, with many locals visiting as the leaves turn from green to red. But in winter, it's a whole different story.

Just a little over an hour away by bus from Kyoto Station is the rural village of Ohara. While it hosts various temples and shrines, Jikko-in Temple is known for its walking garden and winter sakura trees. It doesn't have as many cherry trees as other places on the list, but considering you'll be able to combine the legendary red leaves of Kyoto and the pale pink of cherry blossoms, it's well worth a visit.

Best Time to Visit: Mid-November

If you're staying in Tokyo and don't want to venture too far to see sakura blooming in the cold, Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden is the place to be. This picturesque garden in the heart of Tokyo features several cherry tree varieties that bloom in mid-November, turning the park into a magical sight. It's easily accessible from either Shinjuku-gyoemmae Station or Sendagaya Station on the Marunouchi and Chuo-Sobu lines, respectively.

The park features a diverse array of trees, which creates the appearance of a year-round blooming season. These include kanzakura (winter cherry), someiyoshino (Yoshino cherry), and other species like ichiyo, kawazuzakura, and jugatsuzakura.

Best Time to Visit: December to February

While it isn't strictly winter sakura, Hirosaki Park deserves a small shout-out. Located in Aomori, Hirosaki Park hosts a Cherry Blossom Light Up event from December to February every winter. The park is adorned with hundreds of snow-lined trees that are illuminated to create the illusion of sakura in full bloom.

Locals and tourists gather to walk along the frozen castle moat; it’s a great way to end your day as the lights are on from sunset to 10 p.m. every night.

If you're traveling from Tokyo, take the Tohoku Shinkansen up to Shin-Aomori Station and transfer to the JR Ou Line. Get off at Hirosaki Station and you'll have a 30-minute walk to the park (or a 10-minute taxi ride). A side note: if you visit around April, the mountains around here are still snow-dusted when the sakura bloom, so you’ll have the illusion of winter blossoms as well!