Saitama Prefecture is adjacent to Tokyo and it usually takes about an hour from central Tokyo by express trains. There are many spots for viewing cherry blossoms that are not well known. In the past, we’ve recommended many spots to enjoy cherry blossoms around Japan. In this feature, we introduce some relatively unknown cherry blossom viewing spots in Saitama Prefecture.
Inariyama Park (稲荷山公園)
Inariyama Park is at Inariyama Koen Station and is spread out over a vast area. No matter how much time you spend here, you won’t be able to do justice in seeing it thoroughly. This also means that you do not need to worry about crowds of people visiting. Come spring, you will see the park turn into a canopy of pink with cherry blossoms in full bloom.
Since the park is spacious, many Japanese love hanami (flower viewing) here.
There are plenty of spots under flowering trees to sit back and enjoy this glory of nature.
No matter where you look, it’s the pink of cherry blossoms.
This park is located very close to the train station making it easily accessible to all.
Sunagawa Bori Shidare Zakura (砂川堀しだれ桜)
Most of the cherry blossoms in the Kanto region are of the Someiyoshino variety, which are pale pink blossoms. Sunagawa Bori is known for its shidare zakura (weeping cherry blossom) and the flowers are slightly darker. The branches sag toward the ground almost like a waterfall.
A hori (bori) is a moat or canal and Sungawa-bori is lined with weeping cherry blossoms on either side.
There is a quaint beauty to these and you can enjoy the natural beauty of something other than the Someiyoshino blossoms.
The rich color of the petals against the calm, clear blue sky is striking.
The petals are pointed and face downwards.
Hanno Chuo Park (飯能中央公園)
The park is located in Hanno City, which is also home to Moomin Valley Park, in Saitama Prefecture. In spring, beautiful cherry blossoms bloom throughout the park grounds. In addition, there are many street food stalls open so you can grab some street food and sit under the trees.
One of the main highlights of this park is a one-of-a-kind statue of the world famous “Astro Boy”.
This park is a famous cherry blossom viewing spot for the locals. This photo was taken just before COVID-19, so you can see that there are a lot of people who come to see the cherry blossoms.
Hanami usually means friends and family gather to enjoy some food, sake and cherry blossoms. You can buy a range of food like takoyaki, okonomiyaki, yakisoba, anzu, among other yummy treats.
Tokigawa Sakura Tsutsumi (都幾川桜堤)
At Tokigawa River, there are more than 250 cherry trees stretching over 2 km on both sides of the river. If you are lucky, then you might get a chance to see the bright yellow rapeseed flowers in full bloom along with the cherry blossoms.
There is also a path for cycling and cycling enthusiasts enjoy a bike ride in the company of cherry and rapeseed blossoms for a view. You can definitely feel the air of hope that spring brings along in Japan.
All kinds of flowers begin to bloom when the weather warms.
Every spring, a Hana Matsuri (Flower Festival) is held. Unfortunately, it could not take place this year.
Sakura Tsutsumi Park (桜堤公園)
This is another spot to see cherry blossoms and rapeseed blossoms along another long road in Saitama. This road is about 1.8 km long and has a bicycle path as well.
Cherry blossoms and rapeseed blossoms bloom at the same time creating a beautiful contrast of gorgeous pink and yellow.
It is particularly popular among those who love cycling and of course, a fab spot to click some pictures of your pets.
Sakitama Kofun Park (さきたま古墳公園)
Kofun are ancient burial grounds. This cherry blossom viewing spot feels like part of a fantastical world: cherry trees along slopes and on top of the burial ground at a height of 18.9 meters. It is known to be the largest cemetery on a hill in Japan.
At the top of the burial mound, there is a large cherry blossom tree. When the water body is still, you can see gorgeous reflections.
There are also spots where rapeseed flowers bloom. Doesn’t the path to the top look breathtaking?
Even though you may have missed a chance to see cherry blossoms this year, we hope you can visit some of these unknown gems of Saitama prefecture.
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