I’ll begin this submit with an embarrassing confession. For years—like, a few years—I improperly wrote and pronounced the Japanese title for weeping cherry timber: shidarezakura (枝垂桜).
“Shi-dera-zakura,” I might confidently declare, not realizing on the time (I hadn’t formally studied Japanese but) all of the methods I might’ve been improperly describing the timber. Fortunately, I find yourself correcting the error myself and was by no means (no less than to not my information) came upon by anybody who knew higher.
After all, you’re not right here since you wish to examine my travails with the Japanese language. You’re right here to seek out out the place to see probably the most lovely weeping cherry timber in Japan! Don’t fear: I’ll quickly oblige you.
Why Weeping Cherry Bushes Are So Particular
Whether or not you handle to seek out one of many “waterfall” cherry timber in Japan or see an atypical weeping one (spoiler alert: these timber are a something however atypical!), this explicit type of timber has a novel form of magnificence. The primary issue on this? The form of the tree, in fact. Like a willow tree, it options lengthy, dropping branches which, when the timber are in full bloom, boast tons of and even 1000’s of flowers every.
As you may think, the impact is particularly profound in locations the place many shidarezakura exist in a single place, or the place the tree in query is so giant that it virtually seems like a number of specimens. One other distinctive issue about weeping cherry timber? They have an inclination to bloom barely earlier or later than somei yoshino ones. Virtually talking, this typically signifies that for those who miss the “regular” sakura season in a given vacation spot, shidare timber will seemingly be your comfort prize.
My Favourite Spots to See Weeping Cherry Bushes in Japan
Kakunodate Samurai district, Akita
Surely, probably the most simply accessible assortment of shidarezakura in Japan is within the Kakunodate Samurai district. Each the previous warriors houses and the good-looking boulevards lined with the timber are simply 15-20 minutes on foot from Kakunodate Station, which is a Shinkansen cease!
Nejo Citadel Ruins, Aomori
One other Japanese weeping cherry tree sizzling spot in northern Japan is the Nejo Citadel Ruins in Hachinohe. These are just a little bit much less handy to achieve—for those who don’t hire a automobile (which I all the time advocate when off Japan’s overwhelmed path), you will get a bus from Hachinohe Station or Hon-hachinohe Station. As of 2026, this stays a really “native” vacation spot, so that you’re unlikely to see many different overseas vacationers.
Denpo-ji, Kesennuma, Miyagi
Kesennuma is a fairly small metropolis, which signifies that for those who’re already there, you may fairly stroll (or, absent that, use Google Maps to take the native bus system) to Denpo-ji temple. The difficulty right here is that Kesennuma, which is obscure even within the context of the barely-touristed Sanriku Coast, is someplace you’re unlikely to be within the first place. (Which, to me, makes it all of the extra price visiting!)
Miharu Takizakura, Fukushima
Essentially the most well-known Japan weeping cherry tree by far isn’t even colloquially generally known as a shidarezakura however as an alternative a takizakura, or “waterfall” cherry tree. Arriving on the 1,000-year previous timber, which is positioned within the city of Miharu simply west of Koriyama in Fukushima prefecture, reveals exactly why that is the case. Irrespective of the way you come right here (buses can be found; I choose to drive), it can blow your thoughts. Really!
Maruyama Park, Kyoto
Final however not least might be the weeping cherry timber that’s most accessible for almost all of vacationers: The one in Maruyama Park in central Kyoto. This isn’t the one shidarezakura in Kyoto, although the beforehand most well-known one (which was alongside Sannenzaka slope, and is pictured later on this article) sadly died in 2024.
Different Sorts of Cherry Blossoms in Japan
Shidarezakura and takizakura timber are in all probability my favourite kinds of cherry blossoms in Japan, however there are different choices, too:
- When you journey to Okinawa in late January or early February, you’ll see timber of the Kanhizakura selection, or Formosan cherry. These are generally known as such as a result of they’re the identical species that bloom in Taiwan (Formosa).
- Wish to see early-blooming sakura on the Japanese mainland? Make a beeline for the Izu Peninsula, the place you will discover each Kawazu-zakura (which bloom in late February or early March) and the Atami-zakura sub-species, which may bloom as early as late January in and across the metropolis of Atami.
- Alternatively, for those who’re a bit late for the conventional cherry blossom season, you will discover the “fluffy” Kanzanzakura and Yaezakura cherry timber in most Japanese cities and cities. These bloom 1-2 weeks later than regular cherry timber.
Observe that as is the case with weeping cherry blossoms in Japan, many of the above cherry timber characteristic pinker, darker petals than the somei yoshino, which are usually a whitish-pink.
Different FAQ About Weeping Cherry Bushes in Japan
Are weeping cherry timber Japanese?
Weeping cherry timber are native to Japan, and have existed within the nation because the Hei’an interval, greater than 1,000 years in the past. Curiously, whereas sure weeping timber do exist within the wild, many of the specimens within the nation in the present day had been rigorously bred by sakura consultants, who proceed their work of propagating timber to at the present time.
What sort of cherry timber develop in Japan?
The most typical kind of cherry tree in Japan is the pinkish-white somei yoshino, however different species exist as effectively. These embody the early-blooming Kazawu-zakura timber native to the Izu Peninsula, in addition to later-blooming varieties similar to kanzanzakura. In complete, over 100 distinctive styles of cherry timber exist in Japan, with particular person tree specimens numbering effectively over a million.
What’s the most well-known cherry tree in Japan?
Essentially the most well-known cherry tree in Japan, by far, is the “waterfall cherry” (takizakura) Miharu Takizakura cherry tree in Miharu city, Fukushima prefecture. Though its precise age isn’t recognized, historic data of it date again greater than 1,000 years. Bodily, it’s greater than 13 meters (~40 toes) tall and as broad as 25 meters (~75 toes), and because it’s in mainly good situation, it a slightly imposing specimen, along with being lovely.
The Backside Line
I’ll be including to my round-up of weeping cherry timber in Japan over time—this listing isn’t (but) complete. On the identical time, it’s the peerlessly place to start out getting inspiration for your subsequent sakura season journey to Japan, regardless of how central a spotlight the shidarezakura find yourself being. In some circumstances, they’ll merely be a cheerful accident (similar to for those who occur to stroll via Kyoto’s Maruyama Park) whereas in different cases (similar to for those who prioritize the Kakunodate Samurai district), theyll find yourself being the main target of your journey. Want personalised assist placing your March or April journey collectively? Fee a customized Japan itinerary in the present day!