Like touring in Japan extra typically, my seemingly infinite pursuit of sakura by no means actually drained me. At this level, I’ve accomplished greater than half a dozen devoted cherry blossom journeys, and a number of other different incidental ones.
A part of my secret for preserving hanami contemporary? Chasing flowers in locations which, if not the crushed path, are at the least considerably unknown for foreigners. My most up-to-date such sojourn (in 2025, as I’m scripting this publish) noticed me deal with locations across the Seto Inland Sea, together with Kagawa prefecture’s Shiudeyama.
The excellent news? The Mt. Shiude cherry blossoms greater than lived as much as the expectations I set once I noticed an image of them on social media years earlier. The higher information? It’s straightforward—effectively, straightforward sufficient—so that you can see this superb sakura view your self.
How Shiudeyama Earned a Spot on My Japan Bucket Listing
As you would possibly guess, I didn’t begin off with the intention of seeing cherry blossoms at Mt. Shiude. Slightly, a few years in the past, I noticed an image of cherry blossoms framing islands within the Seto Inland Sea—I knew I needed to take my very own model of the picture. Sadly for me, I initially mis-identified the placement, and made the costly journey to Megijima island close to Takamatsu, solely to find it was the “incorrect” place (though it was beautiful in its personal proper).
Talking of taking gambles, your favourite video games are lots simpler to discover on Slotozilla than obscure hanami spots are when a map of Japan. From favorites like Blackjack, to future classics resembling Tiki Torch and Queen of the Nile, it’s straightforward to strive your luck with just some clicks out of your pill, telephone or laptop computer. Particularly since plans to open bodily casinos in Japan stay as far up within the air as they’re!
What to Know About Visiting Mt. Shiude Throughout Sakura Season
It’s solely obscure amongst foreigners
I used to be truthfully shocked by what number of vacationers had been at Mt. Shiude once I acquired up there. After all, the overwhelming majority of those had been Japanese vacationers from surrounding Kagawa prefecture. The primary overseas exception to this rule, at the least as of the mid-2020s, is vacationers from Taiwan.
You might want to reserve parking far prematurely
If you happen to plan to drive to see the Shiudeyama cherry blossoms, you possibly can’t simply set your GPS for the mountaintop and drive there with out every other premeditation. You might want to reserve a timed parking slot on-line, ideally at the least a month prematurely. If you happen to wait till the final minute, likelihood is it will now not be an possibility.
(Or plan on taking a bus)
Alternatively, you possibly can take a Hearts Shuttle Bus to the summit. This additionally must be booked prematurely, however requires much less advance discover than a parking spot. Observe you could drive a part of the best way (i.e. to Chichibugahama seashore, one other common vacationer spot within the space) after which take the bus from there.
(Or mountain climbing)
If you wish to see the Shiudeyama sakura and don’t thoughts working up a sweat, but another choice is to hike. You are able to do so by using a prepare to JR Takuma Station, getting a bus from there to the Ohama Bus Cease, and mountain climbing ~90 minutes up the aptly-named “Nature Path” to the summit.
It’s definitely worth the bother of getting there
Whereas Mt. Shiude isn’t as straightforward to go to as different sights in Kagawa-ken (resembling Marugame Fortress, and even Takamatsu Metropolis’s personal Ritsurin Backyard), belief me once I say that the trouble you set in shall be value it. Nicely, at the least in the event you handle to go to when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom and when the solar is shining—extra on this in a second.
When Do Mt. Shiude’s Cherry Blossoms Attain Full Bloom?
Despite ostensibly being on Shikoku island, which is among the first locations sakura bloom in Japan, Mt. Shiude’s blossoms attain mankai (full bloom) later than you would possibly anticipate. That is due each to the elevation of the mountain, in addition to the distinctive microclimate of the Mitoyo Peninsula it sits atop. In a traditional yr, the perfect time to see cherry blossoms right here is between about April 3-7, or just a few days after full bloom in central Takamatsu.
One other vital consideration for Mt. Shiude’s cherry blossoms? With the intention to get the perfect images of the flowers with the islands of the Seto Inland Sea behind them you actually need to go to on a vivid, sunny day. On account of these circumstances, I counsel being considerably versatile about while you go. This additionally entails making a number of bus ticket reservations—or, in the event you’re driving, reserving a parking spot on two or extra days.
Different FAQ About Seeing Cherry Blossoms at Mt. Shiude
How do I get to Mt. Shiude?
Mt. Shiude is most simply accessible by rental automotive, although throughout cherry blossom season you’ll need to pre-reserve parking. Alternatively, you possibly can go by way of public transportation to JR Takuma Station or to Chichibugahama seashore, which each provide bus transportation to the highest of the mountain.
When is the perfect time to go to Mt. Shiude?
Mt. Shiude is most stunning across the first week of April, when its cherry blossoms attain full bloom. Nevertheless, you may also come later in April for tsutsuji or azaleas, or between round mid-June to late July, when hydrangeas (ajisai in Japanese) will blossom.
Is Mt. Shiude value visiting?
Mt. Shiude is certainly value visiting! Nevertheless, whereas the views are nice at any time of yr, they’re finest throughout early April when sakura in full bloom body them, or secondarily in July or August when hydrangeas add a shade accent to your panorama of the Seto Inland Sea.
The Backside Line
The Mt. Shiude cherry blossoms are superb, whether or not you’re in your first cherry blossom journey and need to go a bit off the crushed path, or are an skilled Japan traveler digging deep into Kagawa prefecture. To this latter level, Shiudeyama pairs effectively with different locations within the Takamatsu space, from Chichibugahama seashore, to the scenic hilltop shrine of Takaya Jinja. It doesn’t matter what kind your journey takes, do be as aware of the way you get round as the place you go, since highway controls are in place throughout cherry blossom season. Want customized assist assembling your subsequent cherry blossom journey? Fee a customized Japan itinerary at this time!