3 Fukuoka City’s Hanami Spots Showing Fully Bloomed Cherry Blossoms with Castle, Cityscape or Sakura Tunnel in Early April

Ever heard of the word ‘Hanami’ (花見)? Hanami is a Japanese word referring to appreciating cherry blossoms and sometimes a picnic while enjoying the scenery with them. In Fukuoka City, blossoms of cherry trees of various kinds including Yoshino cherry trees come to fully bloom from late March to April. In this issue, 3 Hanami spots will be introduced: a well-known one with a Japanese castle, a secret one with a Sakura tunnel only known among the locals, and a mountain you can casually visit and overlook the cityscape. By the way, all of them are easily accessible even with kids.

“Maizuru Park” where the harmony of Yoshino cherry blossoms in full bloom and Fukuoka Castle Ruins

“Maizuru Park” (舞鶴公園), a park around ‘Korokan’ (鴻臚館), one of the ancient guest houses for foreign diplomats, and Fukuoka Castle Ruins, is truly famous as a Hanami spot in Fukuoka City. The approximately 1,000 cherry trees with countless blossoms blooming in the background of the moat and stone walls of Fukuoka Castle are nothing but a masterpiece. Though many of them are Yoshino cherry trees that fully bloom in late March, you can also appreciate other varieties such as veneer weeping cherry trees with double-flowered blossoms in vivid pink, and Surugadai-odora with a strong floral scent. In addition to cherry blossoms, various flowers and blossoms of wisteria, peony, Chinese peony, azalea, and iris will join coloring up the park until May. If you stay in the city either on the 16th or 17th of April, care to stop by the special event ‘Fuji Matsuri’ (藤まつり) where Maizuru Park showing its beauty the most in a year awaits.

Opening Hours	24/7
Address	1 Jonai, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture
Access	An 8-minute walk from Ohorikoen Station (K06) which is 3 stations away on Airport Line (K) from Nakasu-Kawabata Station (K09/H01)
URL	https://visit-fukuoka-japan.com/todo/other_spots/4000000000264/

“Ipponmatsugawa Ryokudo” to offer you an epic walk through the cherry blossom tunnel at a little-known Hanami spot close to a housing complex area

Laying on the west side of a housing complex area, “Ipponmatsugawa Ryokudo” (一本松川緑道) is a good out-of-the-way Hanami spot with around 60 cherry trees lined up on both sides of a stream about 5 meters wide. Although it is one of the typical residential neighborhoods that is not a tourist destination, it is secretly known to those from not only Fukuoka but also all over Japan in the know. As the cherry trees are planted at uneven levels, the branches weeping towards the stream create a beautiful arch shape. At the leisure trail on the stream bank, you can experience a poetic walk while looking up at the dazzling cherry blossom tunnel. Besides, the scenery in which the fallen blossom petals flow down the stream is another charm. It is also recommended to sit back and enjoy the cherry blossoms at the installed bench. For your information, because it is paved for pedestrians, it should be a perfect destination for those with kids.

Opening Hours	24/7
Address	1-13 Tsutsumi, Jonan-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture
Access	A minute walk from Shimotsutsumi (下堤) Bus Stop which is around a 25-minute ride on No.113 bus from Canal City Hakata-mae (キャナルシティ博多前) Bus Stop
URL	https://www.midorimachi.jp/park/detail.php?code=513001

Overlook the cityscape of Fukuoka and the carpet of cherry blossoms from the observatory at an altitude of 347m; “Aburayama Shimin no Mori”

“Aburayama Shimin no Mori” (油山市民の森), an agricultural and forestry natural park located on the hillside of Aburayama, a 597 meter-high mountain loved by Fukuokans, is also a great Hanami and hiking spot. In addition to Yoshino cherry trees, you can also appreciate blossoms of Yamazakura, Oshima cherry trees, and Cerasus itosakura which are wild species endemic to Japan, and all of which are in full bloom from the end of March to the beginning of April. The observatory at an altitude of 347m will get you to enjoy the cityscape of Fukuoka City, and when you look back, you will appreciate a breathtaking carpet of cherry blossoms. If you can spare some time, hit the walking trail of around 3-km long where you can enjoy cherry blossoms on the way while listening to the wild birds singing including Accipiter gentilis and Narcissus flycatcher. The peaceful time and the nature along the trail will ease your mind.

Opening Hours	9:00AM – 6:00PM / Open All Year Round
Address	855-4 Hibaru, Minami-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture
Access	Shimon no Mori bound bus is available only on Sundays and national holidays from Aburayama Danchi-guchi (油山団地口) Bus stop which is around 45-minute ride on No.113 bus from Canal City Hakata-mae (キャナルシティ博多前) Bus Stop
URL	https://www.shimi-mori.com/