Sakura: The jewel in Japan’s tourism crown. One of the most searched Japan related terms is “Sakura Season Japan 2026”. With tourism in Japan booming, places to see Sakura outside of the busy tourist hotspots of Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka… are at an all-time premium. Finding the perfect cherry blossom spot to enjoy some hanami can be difficult without some local knowledge. With the wrong advice you run the risk of looking for a space in an overcrowded park for hours or going somewhere at the wrong time and missing the bloom entirely!
The good news is that Sakura forecasting has greatly improved over the years, and the April 1st Fujinomiya peak bloom is fast approaching. Fujinomiya is the perfect place to enjoy some of the Japan’s best cherry blossom, whilst avoiding some of the crowds.
Kariyado no Gebazakura
Standing majestically in the Kariyado district of Fujinomiya, the Gebazakura is a magnificent weeping cherry tree (shidarezakura) estimated to be over 400 years old. Designated as a Natural Monument of ShizuokaPrefecture, this ancient giant has witnessed centuries of sakura season celebrations and continues to draw admirers who appreciate the deeper meaning behind these Japanese cherry blossom flowers.
The tree's name "Gebazakura" (下馬桜) translates to "dismount cherry blossom" – legend has it that the tree was so beautiful that even samurai traveling past would dismount from their horses to admire it. One of Japan’s 15th century shoguns even wrote a poem about its beauty.
This cherry blossom with a Fuji view is one of the five cherry trees designated as national monuments. And there’s good reason for it.
Luckily for guests of EXP._Atelier, the iconic Sakura site is just a fifteen minute drive away.
Fujisan Sengen Shrine Sakura Festival
Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha is the head of over 1,300 Sengen shrines across Japan and sits right in the heart of Fujinomiya. It is probably the most visited cherry blossom spot in the area, and for good reason. The shrine grounds are home to around 500 cherry blossom trees, making it one of the finest cherry blossom gardens in the country.
Every spring the shrine hosts its Oka-sai (Cherry Blossom Festival) on April 1st. The sakura here are believed to embody the deity Konohanasakuya-hime, and the celebration honours that connection through ancient ritual. But the festivities stretch far beyond a single day. From March 22nd to April 5th, the grounds are illuminated for hanami at night, turning the spot from a regular cherry-grove, into a hotspot for budding photographers.
The first weekend of April brings outdoor tea ceremonies beneath the blossoms, traditional Noh and Kyogen performances, and Kusajishi-no-maki, an ancient archery ritual dating back to the samurai era.
You can find the temple complex here!
Shiraoyama Park
Shiraoyama park, also known as Shiraosan park by Fujinomiya locals, is a public park that overlooks both the city of Fujinomiya, and Mt. Fuji itself.
A less popular location than our previous suggestions, this is the location that many locals favour when they’re trying to avoid tourist crowds at the more famous Sakura spots. The park is lined with cherry blossom trees that frame stunning views of Mt. Fuji cherry blossom against the city below. It's the kind of Japan cherry blossom park where you can lay down a blanket, have a bento box picnic, and enjoy hanami the way that the Japanese do.
The night view from the park has also been recognised as a Japan Night View Heritage, making it a perfect spot to enjoy the blossoms after dark.
For those asking when is sakura season best experienced in Fujinomiya, the answer might just be here, away from the crowds, with a clear view of the mountain and blossoms all to yourself.
Shiraoyama park is just a stone’s throw from SLEEEP Fuji, so if you’re staying there, take a stroll over to enjoy the view.
Iwamotoyama Park
Iwamotoyama Park is another local favourite that offers a spectacular Mt. Fuji sakura scenery without the overwhelming crowds. Like Shiraoyama, this park delivers stunning panoramic views of both Mt. Fuji and the city below, but with its own unique character.
What makes Iwamotoyama special during sakura season is its night time illumination event, running from March 28th to April 1st. This includes multiple viewing areas, each offering different perspectives: cherry blossoms framed against Mt. Fuji at night, and blossoms set against the glittering city nightscape below
For visitors wondering when is sakura season at its most atmospheric, these illuminated evenings events might just be the answer.
Iwamotoyama park is a little further away than Shiraoyama, but you can just hop on the Minobu line to Iriyamase station, and take a short walk to your destination from SLEEEP Fuji.
Taiseki Temple
Taisekiji Temple is the head temple of Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism and one of the largest temple complexes in the Fujinomiya area. Founded in 1290, the sprawling grounds are filled with cherry blossom trees that bloom in late March to early April, creating a serene backdrop to over 700 years of continuous spiritual practice.
Unlike the more festive hanami festival atmosphere at other locations, Taisekiji offers something different: quiet contemplation. The entire complex becomes a peaceful Japan cherry blossom garden where the focus is on reflection rather than celebration. Walking among the historic temple buildings with Japanese cherry blossom flowers overhead creates a deeply spiritual experience that you simply won't find at a typical Japan cherry blossom park.
For those seeking a more meditative approach to sakura season, away from crowds and noise, Taisekiji provides the perfect Mt. Fuji cherry blossom experience. This is hanami at its most traditional and tranquil.
Found in the northern suburbs of Fujinomiya, it is once again perfectly situated for a day trip into town from EXP._Atelier. Take a short 20 minute drive and arrive at this pink flower-laden temple complex.
Tanuki Lake
Lake Tanuki sits in the highlands of Fujinomiya, surrounded by forest and offering one of the most photographed Mt. Fuji cherry blossom views in all ofJapan. On a calm day, the surface of the lake mirrors the snow-capped peak perfectly, and when the cherry blossom trees along the shore are in full bloom, the reflection is nothing short of spectacular.
A 3.3 kilometre walking and cycling path circles the lake, making it a fantastic cherry blossom spot for those who want to take their time and soak in the scenery. It's a quieter, more natural alternative to the parks and shrines closer to the city centre.
Because of its higher elevation, the sakura here tend to bloom a little later than in downtown Fujinomiya. For anyone wondering when is sakura season still worth visiting after the early April peak, Lake Tanuki is the answer. You can catch beautiful Japanese cherry blossom flowers here even after the lower altitude spots have already shed their petals.
