When is the best time to view cherry blossoms in Okinawa? Introducing the earliest cherry blossom festival in Japan and famous cherry blossom viewing spots in Okinawa.
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Different from Honshu! Be one of the first to enjoy the cherry blossoms in Okinawa!
When you think of cherry blossoms in Honshu, you probably think of warm spring flowers that bloom as early as March or early April.
The most commonly seen type of cherry blossom is the Someiyoshino, famous for its pale white or light pink color, and many people look forward to such a cherry blossom viewing season every year.
It also coincides with the start of the school year, when people enter school, graduate, and join companies. As a synonym for the season of encounters and partings, there is a deeply moving image of cherry blossoms as they fleetingly fall.
However, the cherry blossoms in Okinawa are completely different from those in Honshu, not only in blooming time, but also in appearance and the way to enjoy cherry blossom viewing, which may change your image of cherry blossoms.
This article introduces the characteristics and season of such rare cherry blossoms in Okinawa, as well as the best spots to enjoy cherry blossom viewing.
Why not visit Okinawa, where you can enjoy the cherry blossoms earlier than anywhere else, and feel the arrival of spring?
What is the best season for cherry blossoms in Okinawa?
Although mainland Okinawa has a warm climate throughout the year, it gradually becomes chilly from about mid-December.
The Kanhizakura (scarlet cherry blossoms) in Okinawa begin to bloom from January to March, when the weather becomes even colder.
For this reason, the best season for cherry blossoms in Okinawa is earlier than in Honshu, and is known to be the earliest in Japan to be declared in bloom.
The blooming of such cold-blooming cherry trees in Okinawa progresses as the temperature drops, and the coldest season in Okinawa and on the mainland is said to be the best time to see them.
Against this background, if you are visiting Okinawa for a sightseeing trip during the cherry blossom season, it is a good idea to take warm clothing such as a coat or a jumper to protect yourself from the cold.
Please refer to the following table for the dates of blooming and full bloom of each year when you go to see cherry blossoms.
Usual bloom date: around January 18
Usual full bloom date: around February 4 to 5 *In 2022, the flowers bloomed around January 11, and the full bloom date was around February 1.
Types and Characteristics of Cherry Blossoms in Okinawa
Cherry blossoms in Okinawa are unique in their appearance and the way they bloom, as well as in the fact that the blooming season is in winter.
In particular, the scarlet cherry has the appearance of petals that are deep pink in color, and the flowers themselves bloom downward rather than upward.
Because of its darker and more vivid color than Somei-Yoshino, Okinawa's scarlet cherry tree has an outstanding presence.
Another major characteristic is that, unlike someiyoshino, which have individual petals that flutter and fall off at the end of the season, the blossoms fall and fall off one by one.
Therefore, the sight of cherry blossoms falling en masse in a blizzard, as is often the case with cherry blossoms in Honshu, is seldom seen.
Although Kanhizakura may not be as ephemeral as Someiyoshino, its dignified stance and the way it blooms side by side with plants unique to subtropical regions are very interesting, and you can also feel the power of Okinawa's nature.
Cherry blossom viewing in Okinawa is recommended in northern Okinawa
As we have reported, Okinawa is represented by a type of cherry blossom called Kanhizakura, which has the curious characteristic of moving southward from the north, unlike the cherry blossom front such as Someiyoshino in Honshu, which moves up from the south to the north.
This is said to be due to the effect of cold waves unique to Okinawa, and the characteristic of blooming as the weather gets colder is exactly the opposite of cherry blossoms in Honshu.
Considering that cherry blossoms bloom as the weather gets colder, it makes sense that cherry blossoms in Okinawa usually bloom from the Nago area, which is located in the north, toward Naha.
Yaedake, also known as a famous cherry blossom viewing spot, shows flowers blooming from near the top to near the foot of the mountain, where the temperature is cooler each year.
If you plan to stay in Okinawa for an extended period of time, you can actually enjoy the changing appearance of the area in the northern part of Okinawa.
Full bloom in Okinawa from late January to the end of February.
Cherry blossoms in Okinawa are in full bloom from late January to late February, right in the middle of the winter season.
As I mentioned earlier, the flowering of the scarlet cherry blossoms starts in the northern part of the prefecture, so cherry blossom festivals and events are held in various places in Okinawa Prefecture according to their blooming status.
When the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, many people from all over Japan visit the festival site to enjoy the colorful and lovely scarlet cherry blossoms.
There may not be much to do in the ocean during the winter season in Okinawa, but you can enjoy the best cherry blossom viewing instead, so why not visit Okinawa during this season?
Cherry Blossom Festivals and Places of Interest in Okinawa
Let us introduce some of the cherry blossom festival venues and places of interest where you can actually see the beautiful cherry blossoms in Okinawa.
Even if you are not planning to go cherry blossom viewing, there is a good chance that it is near your destination or on your driving course.
Of course, if you are interested in cherry blossom viewing, please use this as a reference in choosing a spot!
eight-tiered mountain range
Yaedake, which is over 450 meters above sea level, is lined with approximately 7,000 cherry trees, which are in full bloom from the halfway up to the top of the mountain during the season.
Especially in January, the Motobu Yaedake Cherry Blossom Festival is held in Yaedake Cherry Blossom Forest Park, located in the middle of Yaedake, with various events such as street performances, folk songs live performances, and food booths.
Even when the Cherry Blossom Festival is not being held, there are bakeries and Okinawan soba noodle stores near the entrance to the Yaedake trail, making it a great spot to stop by for a break.
It is sure to be an enjoyable experience not only when climbing the mountain but also when viewing the cherry blossoms while driving in a rental car.
Motobu Yaedake Cherry Blossom Festival <Previously held during
Saturday, January 22 - Sunday, February 6, 2023
*The stage event was held only on January 22.
Address〉921 Namisato, Motobu-cho, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa, Japan
Yaedake, Motobu-cho Cherry Blossom Forest Park
Access〉1 hour and a half drive from Naha Airport, about 25 minutes from Nago Bus Terminal
Parking space available
500 cars available
*For further information, please contact the Motobu Festival Executive Committee Office in the Motobu Town Commerce, Industry and Tourism Division.
Nago Cherry Blossom Festival
The Nago Cherry Blossom Festival, featuring 20,000 cherry trees planted in Nago Central Park, is known as one of the most popular cherry blossom viewing spots in Okinawa Prefecture.
The park has a 2-km long walking course of scarlet cherry blossoms, one of the largest in the prefecture, and has been selected as one of the 100 best cherry blossom viewing spots.
The nearby observatory also offers a view of both the cherry blossoms and the ocean, so visitors can enjoy the contrast of blue and pink that is unique to Okinawa's cherry blossom viewing season.
Furthermore, during the festival, a special stage is set up in the park for performance events, and street dances, parades, and live street performances are held in downtown Nago.
In addition to cherry blossom viewing, these events are sure to be enjoyed by children and adults alike.
Nago Cherry Blossom Festival <Previous Holding Period
Saturday, January 28, 2023 - Sunday, January 29, 2023
Address〉Nago Central Park, 5511 Nago, Nago City, Okinawa Prefecture, and other venues
Access〉About 2 hours drive from Naha Airport, about 15 minutes from Nago Bus Terminal
Parking space available
200 cars available
*For further information, please contact Nago City Tourist Association.
Ruins of Nakijin Castle
Cherry blossoms can also be enjoyed at Nakijin Castle Ruins, a famous World Heritage site in Okinawa Prefecture.
The Nakijin Castle Ruins is a valuable cultural heritage site that is believed to have been the site of cultural and economic exchange between the Ryukyu Kingdom, which existed from the 1400s to the late 1800s, and Japan, Southeast Asia, the Korean Peninsula, and China.
This spot is especially crowded with many visitors every year to enjoy the collaboration of the castle ruins and cherry blossoms during the Nakijin Gusuku Cherry Blossom Festival.
At night, the cherry blossoms and the ruins of the castle are illuminated, so you are bound to enjoy a fantastic hanami experience.
Various other events such as Eisa, Ryukyuan folk costume experience, and entertainment performances will also be held, so there will be plenty of fun to be had outside of hanami.
There are also famous tourist spots such as Churaumi Aquarium near the spot, so why not visit there between sightseeing spots or on your way home?
Nakijin Gusuku Cherry Blossom Festival <Previous Holding Period
Saturday, January 21, 2023 - Sunday, January 29, 2023
Address〉Ruins of Nakijin Castle, 5101 Imadomari, Nakijin Village, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa, Japan
Access〉1 hour and a half drive from Naha Airport, about 30 minutes from Nago Bus Terminal
Parking space available
320 spaces available
*For further information, please contact the Nakijin Gusuku Cherry Blossom Festival Executive Committee.
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Yaese Cherry Blossom Festival
Yaese Town, located in the southern part of Okinawa's main island, hosts the Yaese Cherry Blossom Festival every year.
There are 500 cherry trees in Yaese Park, the venue of the festival, and it is possible to see the park all at once become gorgeous with cherry blossoms during the season.
Cherry blossom viewing spots in Okinawa Prefecture are mainly concentrated in the northern part of the prefecture, but many locals and tourists visit here in the south as well, where they can enjoy the dignified and vivid rows of cherry trees in full bloom.
In addition, during the cherry blossom season, the cherry trees are illuminated, and flower monuments and many lanterns are set up, so you will be able to enjoy a very fantastic view at night.
Please enjoy the dignified cherry blossoms by day and the romantic illumination of cherry blossoms by night to your heart's content.
During the Cherry Blossom Festival, product exhibitions, stage events, and guided tours of Yaese Park will also be held, so it is recommended to go only for the events.
Yaese Cherry Blossom Festival <Previously held during
Friday, January 20, 2023 - Sunday, February 5, 2023
*Only illumination was held in 2023.
Address〉Yaese Park, 1607 Aza-Tomimori, Yaese-cho, Okinawa, Japan
Access〉About 30 minutes by car from Naha Airport, about 1 to 2 hours from Nago Bus Terminal (depending on whether or not toll roads are used)
Parking space available
Temporary parking for 300 cars available
*For further information, please contact the Yaese Cherry Blossom Festival Executive Committee.
How to enjoy cherry blossoms in Okinawa
Many people think of hanami as a banquet where people enjoy eating box lunches, barbecues, and drinks under rows of cherry trees or in parks where many cherry trees are in full bloom.
However, since winter is the height of the season for cold-blossomed cherry trees, few people in the Okinawan hanami scene have such hanami banquets.
The Okinawa locals' way of enjoying hanami is quite simple: taking a walk and taking pictures while viewing the cherry blossoms.
Why not experience the Okinawan way of cherry blossom viewing, where you can see and enjoy the vivid scarlet cherry blossoms, which look so beautiful in the chilly weather?
Driving Cherry Blossom Viewing
I mentioned that in Okinawa, people enjoy cherry blossom viewing while taking a walk and not having a party, but in fact, driving cherry blossom viewing is one of the most popular ways to enjoy cherry blossom viewing.
If you are taking a drive to see cherry blossoms, you can enjoy driving to the top of each area where cherry trees are in bloom, or you can leave your car in the parking lot and walk to the rows of cherry trees.
Another unique feature of cherry blossom viewing on a road trip is that you can enjoy the scenery while stopping at restaurants and roadside stations along the way.
In addition, there are places where many scarlet cherry trees bloom on the way to the top of the mountain at high altitude, so you can see them during the season.
We hope you will enjoy driving through the mountains to view the cherry blossoms.
Click here for recommended tours around ⬇︎
bus tour
For those who cannot drive on mountain roads or are concerned about parking, we recommend bus tours that allow visitors to view cherry blossoms.
During the cherry blossom season, there are many one-day bus tours starting from Naha City.
Bus tours allow you to visit famous cherry blossom viewing spots in Okinawa Prefecture on a sightseeing bus, so you don't have to worry about driving or getting lost.
The plan also includes stops at other nearby popular spots, as well as barbecue and tangerine picking, a popular fruit in Okinawa,
Why not include a bus tour as part of your one-day plan for your trip to Okinawa?
summary
In this article, we have told you about the charm of cherry blossoms in Okinawa, which is known as a year-round warm marine resort area.
You can visit popular resorts and tourist spots, but visit each spot in Okinawa where you can see cherry blossoms from January to March, the earliest in Japan,
It is also recommended to experience an early cherry blossom viewing experience.
Why not experience the unique nature of Okinawa by seeing the scarlet cherry blossoms, which have a strong presence and characteristics completely different from those of cherry trees in Honshu?
It would be interesting to stop by on the way to sightseeing spots or visit cherry blossom festivals along the driving course to compare the different blooming conditions and flowers in the north and south of the country.
If you are traveling to Okinawa during the winter season, try to create wonderful memories of your trip to Okinawa by experiencing hanami (cherry blossom viewing), which can only be enjoyed during this season.
Thank you for taking the time to read this to the end.
