I don’t keep in mind how way back I first noticed a momo (or peach blossom) tree in Japan. At the very least a decade should’ve handed, possibly longer.
I do know that I didn’t acknowledge it as such. For years in actual fact, I keep in mind seeing the technicolor timber throughout the nation, and assuming that they have been some form of late-blooming sakura species. I keep in mind it was a sort Japanese one that casually corrected me, although the context is now blurry.
Now, I hope you haven’t suffered the identical embarrassment as me. Whether or not you’ve got, or just possess a normal curiosity in seeing peach blossoms in Japan, I hope you’ll proceed studying.
How I Fell in Love With Peach Blossoms
As I discussed within the introduction to this piece, I don’t keep in mind the place I used to be (or exactly when it was) once I grew to become conscious of peach timber in Japan. However I do keep in mind seeing a grove of them as soon as (I had rented a automotive and was driving) and actually pulling over as a result of I felt so entranced by the brightness of their magnificence. That specific day’s mild was fading; I managed to seize each the timber and myself having fun with them earlier than it was gone.
My love for momo solely deepened the extra I realized about them, and the extra intentional I grew to become about seeing them. And never only for esoteric causes. Peach blossoms, you see, have a tendency to achieve their peak round two weeks after sakura. Because of this, when you’re a bit late for prime cherry blossom viewing time (as was the case for me, with some exceptions, in 2026), you may set your sights on peach timber as a substitute.
The place to See Peach Blossoms in Japan
Hanamomo Kaido Peach Street, Nagano
Along with being a tremendous place to see peach blossoms, Achi (probably the most notable village alongside the Hanamomo Kaido “Peach Street”) is likely one of the most lovely villages I’ve ever visited in Japan. It’s small, quiet and agrarian, and isn’t but identified among the many majority of international vacationers. I’m hoping I don’t contribute to altering that!
Miharu, Fukushima
Though it’s usually identified for being residence to one among Japan’s most lovely “weeping” cherry timber, the city of Miharu in Fukushima prefecture can be residence to many groves of Japanese peach blossoms. The best technique to discover these is driving between Koriyama and the takizakura—they line many spots alongside the highway; you may’t miss them!
Niyodo, Kochi
As is the case in Miharu, you actually need a automotive to entry the village of Niyodo in rural Kochi prefecture on Shikoku island. The excellent news? Along with having the ability to see a few of the most lovely momo off Japan’s major island of Honshu, the highway to Niyodo can be the one you’ll take en path to Nikobuchi waterfall.
Koori, Fukushima
On paper, the city of Koori (which, like Miharu, can be in Fukushima) is a tremendous place for seeing momo blossoms in Japan. What’s necessary to notice right here, nonetheless, is that these peach groves are residence to timber that really produce fruit. Because of this, the colour of the flowers is much less diversified and spectacular, and in my view, the expertise of visiting the realm simply isn’t that worthwhile. I went as a result of I had different locations to be close by!
Yabuhara and Narai, Nagano
Final however not least (and in addition not final—I haven’t seen peach blossoms all over the place in Japan!) is the cities of Yabuhara and Narai in Nagano prefecture. Positioned actually alongside the Nakasendo mountain climbing path (and never simply near it, like Achi), these villages are residence to dozens of timber every, permitting you to simply benefit from the momo no hanami expertise with out going too far off the trail you have been already one.
Different Spring Flowers in Japan
As you’ll know when you learn this weblog with any regularity, I’m obsessive about all types of spring flowers in Japan. Listed here are just some of my favorites:
- Should you’ll be in Japan early within the springtime (and even late winter, or the month of February), I like to recommend that you just give attention to ume, or plum blossoms. Like momo, these are typically extra brightly coloured than sakura, and in addition have a tendency to stay round a bit longer.
- Alternatively, when you’re solely a bit late for the everyday somei yoshino cherry blossoms, you would possibly attempt to discover “fluffier” kanzanzakura and yaezakura, which bloom every week or two later.
- Don’t thoughts in case your flowers are in shrub-form as a substitute of tree-form? Try my article on Japan’s superb azaleas, identified in Japanese as tsutsuji (つつじ).
- Wisteria (fuji or 藤 in Japanese) usually straddle (actually!) the area between timber and shrubs, however are completely pleasant when you can time your journey proper. The scent alone is sufficient to make me search them out yr after yr!
Different FAQ About Peach Blossoms in Japan
Are there peach blossoms in Japan?
Japan is overflowing with peach blossoms, even when they don’t get practically as a lot consideration as cherry blossoms. A few of my favourite locations to see peach blossoms are deep within the Japanese Alps, close to the well-known Nakasendo mountain climbing path, and in Japan’s underrated Fukushima prefecture.
Is peach blossom the identical as sakura?
Peach blossoms (momo) are usually not the identical as sakura, that are cherry blossoms. They’re on totally different species of timber, function totally different floral constructions and are totally different colours. Their blooms aren’t even exactly aligned! Nonetheless, each peach blossoms and cherry blossoms are superb methods to get pleasure from spring journey in Japan.
What’s the Japanese time period for peach blossom?
Peach blossoms are know in Japan as momo, or 桃. Curiously, the time period “momo” might be present in different contexts, corresponding to at yakitori eating places (the place it’s used to seek advice from rooster thighs) and in addition as a cute time period for the rear finish of an individual or animal, a lot as how the “peach” emoji is commonly used to characterize this in English and different languages.
The Backside Line
Peach blossoms in Japan are one among probably the most pleasant elements of spring, whether or not or not you’re in-country to see the sakura bloom. They’re fairly ubiquitous throughout Japan, although I personally suppose that devoted journeys to see them in scorching spots are worthwhile, be that alongside the Hanamomo Kaido within the Japanese Alps, or close to the city of Niyodo within the deep reaches of Kochi prefecture on Shikoku island. Additionally they pair effectively with different mid-to-late spring flowers, together with azaleas and wisterias. Want customized assist incorporating momo into your spring journey to Japan? Fee a customized Japan itinerary right this moment!