1Kumamoto Castle area

The combination of Kumamoto's symbol and cherry blossoms that can be enjoyed from various angles

Kumamoto Castle is the best place to see cherry blossoms in Kumamoto. There are about 550 cherry trees in the area, including Somei-Yoshino, Yamazakura, and the Chiharazakura, a variety unique to the region, and the area is bustling with visitors in the spring. One of the highlights is Miyukizaka, a slope leading to the castle lined with Somei-Yoshino cherry trees. If you want to get a close-up view of the castle, we recommend Tenshukakumae Hiroba, and if you want to sit down and enjoy cherry blossom viewing, Ninomaru Hiroba. You can enjoy the cherry blossoms while taking a leisurely stroll along the 242m-long Nagabei-dori promenade that runs along the Tsuboi River that flows south of Kumamoto Castle.
In addition, the "Kumamoto Castle Spring Festival" is held every year to coincide with the cherry blossom season. Various events are held, such as performances by the samurai army, taiko drumming, and Kumamoto gourmet food stalls, to create a lively atmosphere. Kumamoto Castle and Gyokozaka are also open at night, so you can enjoy it all day long.

[Best time to see cherry blossoms] Late March to early April
[Types of cherry blossoms] Somei-yoshino, Yamazakura, Chiharazakura, etc.

▼Kumamoto Castle Spring Festival
Date and time: March 8th (Sat) to 23rd (Sun), 2025 *Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays during the period
Location: Ninomaru Square and other locations
Price: Free
remarks: https://kumamoto-guide.jp/oshiromatsuri/

▼ Nighttime public viewing
Date and time: March 22, 2025 (Sat) - April 6, 2025 (Sun)
Contents: Illumination of the castle tower and long walls, lighting of special viewing paths and other passages, installation of lanterns on the sidewalks, illumination of the cherry blossoms on Gyokozaka, etc.
Hours: Sunset to 20:00 (last entrance 19:30) * Gyokozaka and Nishi Otemon Gate Garden are open to the public until 21:00

Kumamoto Castle area

• https://castle.kumamoto-guide.jp
• 1-1 Honmaru, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture MAP
• About 10 minutes walk from the tram stop "Kumamoto Castle/City Hall"
• Take the bus (Kumamoto Castle sightseeing bus "Shiromeguri") from JR "Kumamoto" station and get off at "Sakura no Baba Josaien" ("Kumamoto Castle Ninomaru Parking")
• 9:00-17:00 (last admission 16:30)
• December 29th to December 31st (subject to change)
• Admission fee: 800 yen for high school students and above, 300 yen for elementary and junior high school students, free for preschoolers
• 096-223-5011（熊本城運営センター）
• Paid

2SAKURA MACHI Kumamoto

An urban oasis where you can enjoy cherry blossom viewing on a rooftop in the city

A commercial Property adjacent to the Kumamoto Sakuramachi Bus Terminal. On the rooftop is the Sakuramachi Garden, which embodies the urban development concept of the Sakuramachi area, "a continuation of Kumamoto Castle and the garden." With trees and flowers blooming and flowing water that reflect the four seasons, it is truly an oasis in the city.
In spring, a wide variety of cherry blossoms, starting with the early-blooming Kawazu cherry blossoms, then somei-yoshino, weeping cherry blossoms, and sea urchins, decorate Sakuramachi Garden, the Street View Terraces on the 2nd to 7th floors, and the 1st floor.
Additionally, the Rooftop Park within Sakuramachi Garden has a hill and tunnel from which you can view Kumamoto Castle, as well as play equipment including a wide white slide, making it a recommended cherry blossom viewing spot for families.

[Best time to see cherry blossoms] Late February to early April
[Types of cherry blossoms] Kawazu cherry, Youkou cherry, Somei Yoshino, Weeping cherry, Uminekozakura, etc.

SAKURA MACHI Kumamoto

• https://sakuramachi-kumamoto.jp/
• Sakuramachi Kumamoto MAP
• Approximately 1 minute walk from the tram stop "Karashimacho"
• Directly connected to "Kumamoto Sakuramachi Bus Terminal"
• Basement 1st floor 10:00-21:00 (some 11:00-22:00)
  1st to 3rd floors: 10:00 to 20:00
  3rd floor (food and drink) 11:00-23:00
  *May vary depending on the situation
• Open daily
• 096-354-1111
• Paid

3Along the Shirakawa River, around Daiko Bridge

A beautiful riverside row of cherry blossom trees beloved by the people of Kumamoto

There are cherry blossom trees along the Shirakawa River that runs through the center of Kumamoto City, and the area is bustling with people during the flowering season. The rows of cherry trees continue from Suidocho to Shinyashiki, which is within walking distance from the city center, and the view from Taikobashi Bridge is particularly spectacular. You can also enjoy the cherry blossoms that spread across the riverbed in the "green section" that stretches from Daikobashi Bridge to Meigobashi Bridge.
On the fourth Saturday of every month, the Shirakawa Night Market is held in this green area, with a wide variety of restaurants, shops, music stages, etc. The March night market is held during the cherry blossom season on the riverbed, so you can enjoy cherry blossom viewing with soothing music while feeling the night breeze.

[Best time to see cherry blossoms] Late March to early April
[Type of cherry blossom] Somei Yoshino

▼Shirakawa Night Market
Date and time: Saturday, March 22, 2025, 16:00-22:00
Location: Shirakawa "Green Section" (near Shirakawa Daiko Bridge)
Price: Free
remarks: https://shirakawabanks.site/shirakawa-night-market/

Along the Shirakawa River, around Daiko Bridge

• 9-25 Suidocho, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture (Daikoubashi) MAP
• About 3 minutes walk from Suidocho tram stop (Daikobashi)

4Suizenji Jojuen Garden

Enjoy a luxurious cherry blossom viewing in a beautiful garden

This stroll-style garden is a nationally designated scenic spot and historic site where you can enjoy the nature and beauty of the garden throughout the seasons. During the cherry blossom season, you can enjoy the 150 to 160 cherry trees, including Somei-Yoshino and Yamazakura, perfect for elegant cherry blossom viewing.
The cherry blossoms blooming on the walking path from "Sakura Square" to the "Noh Theatre" are particularly beautiful, and their combination with the large artificial hill is like a painting.
You can also get a view of the entire garden from the Kokin Denju no Ma room, which was moved from the Kyoto Imperial Palace in 1912 (Taisho 1). Enjoying the cherry blossoms while savoring Japanese sweets and matcha green tea is an extremely luxurious experience.

[Best time to see cherry blossoms] Late March to early April
[Types of cherry blossoms] Somei-yoshino, Yamazakura, Higanzakura

Suizenji Jojuen Garden

• http://www.suizenji.or.jp
• 8-1 Suizenji Park, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture MAP
• About 3 minutes walk from the tram stop "Suizenji Park"
• 8:30-17:00 (last admission 16:30)
• Open daily
• 16 years and over: 400 yen, 6 to 15 years old: 200 yen
• 096-383-0074
• None

5Hanaokayama Park

A popular night view spot, also known as a famous cherry blossom viewing spot

Hanaokayama is 133m above sea level and is located to the north of Kumamoto Station. It is about a 20-30 minute walk from the station, but it can also Direction by car as there is a paved road. The summit is an observation park and contains a stupa (a tower housing the relics of Buddha) donated by a former Indian prime minister as a prayer for world peace. From the summit, you can see Kumamoto city including Kumamoto Castle, and on clear days, all the way to Aso. At night, it is also known as a classic night view spot where you can see the lights of the downtown area up close.
In spring, the cherry trees planted along the path to the summit and surrounding the stupa are in full bloom. You can admire the rare combination of a stupa and cherry blossoms. The collaboration between the red torii gate and cherry blossoms near the summit is also a picturesque sight. Of course, we also recommend taking a drive to see the night view and cherry blossoms.

[Best time to see cherry blossoms] Early April
[Type of cherry blossom] Somei Yoshino

Hanaokayama Park

• https://kumamoto-guide.jp/spots/detail/125
• 4-1581 Kasuga, Nishi-ku, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture MAP
• 25 minutes walk from JR Kumamoto Station
• free