Main Visual: Cherry Blossoms at Zenkoji Unjoden. ©Zenkoji
Spring is the prettiest time of year in Japan, and Nagano City and its surrounding towns are no different: the snow-capped peaks of the Japanese Alps, ancient Zenkoji Temple, historic samurai residences and riverside parks are all adorned with delicate, pink cherry blossoms.
Most cherry blossoms around Nagano City bloom from early April through late April, while one remarkable ancient tree flowers as late as early May. This guide introduces 9 cherry blossom spots and one bonus apricot blossom destination with practical information to help you plan your spring trip.
The Best Cherry Blossom Spots in and around Nagano City
- Matsushiro Castle – Early to Mid-April
- Kawanakajima Battlefield Park – Early to Mid-April
- Garyu Park – Early to Mid-April
- Joyama Park – Mid- to late April
- Zenkoji Unjoden – Mid- to late April
- Nitanda Cherry Blossoms – Mid- to late April
- Chausuyama Dinosaur Park – Mid- to late April
- Chikumagawa Riverside Park – Mid- to late April
- Jindai Zakura – Late April to early May
- Honorary Mention: Matsushiro Higashijo Apricot Blossoms – Early to Mid-April
Matsushiro Castle
Matsushiro Castle is said to have been built during the Warring States Period as a base of operations for Takeda Shingen's army during the Battle of Kawanakajima, eventually becoming the center of the prosperous Matsushiro domain.
Nowadays, its stone walls and reconstructed gates remind of us of the region's storied past while serving as a stage for its 100 ornamental cherry trees.
Cherry blossoms here usually peak in early to mid-April.
The surrounding former castle town of Matsushiro has plenty of other historical residences, shrines, museums, and cafes worth exploring.
When to Visit
Early to Mid-April
Access
Take the Matushiro line bus from JR Nagano Station (about 30 minutes) to Matsushiro Station Bus Stop, then walk about 5 minutes.
Kawanakajima Battlefield Park
Kawanakajima Battlefield Park was the location of the fiercest skirmish of the Battle of Kawanakajima, a series of clashes between the armies of Takeda Shingen and Uesugi Kenshin from 1553 to 1564. A monument of the two warlords dueling can be found at Hachiman Shrine at the northwest corner of the park.
Encompassing an area of 12,000 square meters, the park has wide-open lawns, shady groves, a playground, dog run and pond. It is also a popular cherry blossom spot, featuring 100 somei yoshino cherry trees.
The blossoms are at their best around early to mid-April, creating a peaceful atmosphere that contrasts with the site's dramatic history.
When to Visit
Early to Mid-April
Access
Take the Matsushiro line bus from JR Nagano Station (about 20 minutes) to Kawanakajima Kosenjo Bus Stop.
Garyu Park
Garyu Park in nearby Suzaka is one of Japan's 100 Best Cherry Blossom Spots, with approximately 600 cherry trees of 14 different varieties surrounding a picturesque pond. Reflections of the blossoms on the water create beautiful scenes throughout the park, especially when illuminated in the evenings.
The blossoms typically peak in early to mid-April. During cherry blossom season, food stalls line up beside the park selling typical Japanese festival fare.
When to Visit
Early to Mid-April
Access
From Nagano Station, take the Nagaden train line to Suzaka Station (about 25 min.), then walk about 20 minutes to the park.
Joyama Park
One of Nagano City's best-known cherry blossom destinations, Joyama Park is located beside Zenkoji Temple and has around 470 Somei Yoshino cherry trees that bloom each spring. The park combines wide open lawns, walking paths, and views over the city, making it an easy place to enjoy a leisurely afternoon during blossom season.
The best viewing period is typically mid- to late April, when the trees around the park reach full bloom. Because of its location near Zenkoji, many visitors combine a temple visit with a spring picnic beneath the blossoms.
The Nagano Prefectural Art Museum sits at the edge of Joyama Park, so you can stop by to see its current exhibitions, or head to its rooftop balcony for views of the cherry blossoms from above.
When to Visit
Mid- to Late April
Access
Walk about 15 minutes from Zenkojishita Station on the Nagano Dentetsu Line. Or, from Nagano Station, take the Gururingo line bus to Zenkoji Daimon bus stop (about 10 min.), then walk 10 minutes to the park.
Zenkoji Unjoden
The main hall of Zenkoji Unjoden surrounded by cherry blossoms. ©Zenkoji
From the hillside, you can clearly see the cherry blossoms surrounding Joyama Park. ©Zenkoji
Sitting on the hillside of Mt. Jizuki above Zenkoji Temple, Zenkoji Unjoden is a scenic and peaceful final resting place for the deceased. Three columbaria are on the grounds, the vermillion main hall in the center with East and West halls on either side.
Around 650 cherry trees extend from the grounds of Zenkoji Unjoden to the back of Zenkoji Temple a kilometer away. From Zenkoji Temple, you can walk along this cherry blossom path to Unjoden in under 30 minutes.
The best viewing period is mid- to late April.
When to Visit
Mid- to Late April
Access
Take the Gururingo bus to Zenkoji Daimon bus stop, then walk about 35 minutes to Zenkoji Unjoden. Or, a 36-minute walk from Zenkojishita Station on the Nagaden train line.
Nitanda Cherry Blossoms
Located in Ogawa Village (between Nagano City and Hakuba), the Nitanda Cherry Blossoms cover a small hillside overlooking an idyllic Japanese village. Here, delicate pink blossoms bloom against the snow-capped peaks of the Northern Alps, creating one of the region's most photogenic spring landscapes.
The blossoms usually reach their peak in mid- to late April, slightly later than lower-elevation locations around Nagano City. Clear mornings often provide the best chance to see both the flowers and the mountains together.
When to Visit
Peak Blossoms: mid- to late April
Access
Central Ogawa Village is about 40 minutes by car or taxi from JR Nagano Station.
Chausuyama Dinosaur Park
An apatosaurus standing tall among cherry blossoms
The tunnel of cherry blossoms by the entrance to the dinosaur park
Chausuyama Dinosaur Park offers a unique blossom experience, where Giant dinosaur sculptures stand tall among flowering cherry trees. Kids can let their imagination run wild as they look up at a flying Pteranodon or slide down the tail of an Apatosaurus. Meanwhile, adults can take some time to appreciate the nearby cherry blossoms.
At the base of the park, around 80 cherry trees in a mix of somei yoshino and higanzakura varieties create a tunnel of pink blossoms. The best viewing period is around mid- to late April.
The spacious park also offers walking trails and scenic viewpoints overlooking the surrounding countryside.
When to Visit
Mid- to Late April
Access
From Nagano Station, take the Shinonoi train line to JR Shinonoi Station (about 12 min.). It's about 10 minutes by taxi or 40 minutes on foot from there.
Chikumagawa Riverside Park
Just outside Nagano City in Obuse, Chikumagawa Riverside Park offers a colorful combination of around 600 yaezakura cherry trees that extend over 4 kilometers along an embankment beside the Chikuma River. Below the embankment, fields of bright-yellow nanohana flowers and deep-pink plum blossoms bloom as well.
The cherry blossoms and nanohana both reach their peak between late April to early May.
When to Visit
Late April to Early May
Access
From Nagano Station, take the Nagaden train line to Obuse Station (about 34 min.), then walk about 20 minutes to the park.
The Singular Jindai Zakura Cherry Tree
One of Nagano's most extraordinary cherry trees is the Jindai Zakura cherry tree at Suzakura Shrine. Estimated to be 1,200 years old, it is considered the oldest cherry tree in all of Nagano Prefecture and is designated a National Natural Monument of Japan.
While it is common to rate cherry blossom spots on number of cherry trees, singular cherry trees hold their own unique charm. The Jindai Zakura's massive 9-meter-circumference trunk and time-wrought branches speak to its age, while its clouds of pink blossoms pop against an unobstructed, bright-blue sky.
The ephemeral nature of these blossoms seems almost paradoxical against its millennia-old frame.
The Jindai Zakura cherry tree continues to bloom each spring from late April to Early May.
When to Visit
Late April to Early May
Access
The shrine is about 20 minutes by car or taxi from JR Nagano Station.
Honorary Mention: Matsushiro Higashijo Apricot Blossoms
While not a cherry blossom destination, the apricot orchards of Matsushiro Higashijo bloom in vivid shades of pink that are equally as stunning as sakura in spring.
More than 6,000 apricot trees cover the hillside at the base of Mt. Kimyo, overlooking rural farmhouses and rice paddies on the outskirts of Nagano City. On a clear day, you can even see the snow-capped Northern Japanese Alps punctuating the horizon.
The blossoms usually peak in late March to early April, often before or around the same time as nearby cherry blossom spots.
When to Visit
Late March to Early April
Access
Take a bus from JR Nagano Station to Matsushiro Station (about 30 min.), then continue about 5 minutes by taxi. Or, take the same bus to Goan Bus Stop (about 35 min.), then walk 25 minutes to the apricot orchard.
