Senkoji Park in Onomichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture, is a rare cherry blossom viewing spot where you can see both the sea and cherry blossoms at the same time.

Senkoji Park is located on the middle slope of Mt. Daiho, which overlooks Onomichi Port. From an altitude of 140m, you can see the calm Seto Inland Sea and the islands floating in it.

The pink of the cherry blossoms that cover the mountains, the blue of the ocean, and the green of the island's trees are a truly beautiful sight, making this the perfect place to enjoy the beautiful cherry blossoms that you can't see in the city.

Characteristics of "Senkoji Park Cherry Blossoms"

At Senkoji Park, varieties such as Somei-Yoshino cherry, weeping cherry, and double cherry blossoms are in full bloom in early April.

This is a cherry blossom viewing spot where you can look down on the cherry blossoms from an observation deck, and is recommended for those who want to experience the tranquil nature of Japan.

Highlight 1: Cherry blossoms blooming in abundance, covering the entire park

Senkoji Park has 1,500 cherry trees planted across its 100,000 hectare site.

As the park is located in the mountains surrounded by abundant nature, the cherry trees have grown large in this gracious environment, stretching their branches out in all directions and blooming to their fullest, making for a truly beautiful sight.
Within Senkoji Park, there is an observation deck called "PEAK," which is the perfect spot to view the spectacular cherry blossoms and the Seto Inland Sea.

Of course, you can enjoy the beauty of the cherry blossoms while walking up to an altitude of 140m, but we also recommend taking the ropeway to the top of the mountain, where you can enjoy a bird's-eye view of the cherry blossoms.

The cherry blossoms in Senkoji Park date back to 1928, when 1,000 cherry trees were planted to commemorate the enthronement of Emperor Showa.

Some of the cherry trees planted at that time still remain today, so be sure to try and find them.

Highlight 2: The historic buildings of Senkoji Temple

Senkoji Park is adjacent to the historic Senkoji Temple, which was founded by Kobo Daishi in 806.

Senkoji Temple is famous for its main hall, built in a stage style so that it clings to the cliff, and its bell tower, Kyoonro, which was selected as one of the "100 Best Soundscapes of Japan." This unusual stage-style main hall is also known as the "Red Hall," and is known for its beautiful vermilion pillars that rival the beauty of the mountain trees and the pink of the cherry blossoms.

The sight of the main hall and bell tower, both built using traditional techniques, decorated with cherry blossoms is loved by many as a beautiful sight that evokes the feeling of "spring in Japan," a sight that has remained unchanged since ancient times.

Highlight 3: Cherry blossoms lit by lanterns at night

Every year, Senkoji Park lights up with lanterns to coincide with the cherry blossom season.

A bonbori is a traditional Japanese lighting device that consists of a hexagonal wooden frame covered with Japanese paper and a candle or other light placed inside.

The gentle flames flickering within the washi paper highlight the beauty of the cherry blossoms, and the lighting from the lanterns matches the image of Senkoji Temple and the Seto Inland Sea, making it a popular place to enjoy the cherry blossoms at night in a peaceful atmosphere.

The lanterns at Senkoji Park are lit from around 6 p.m. until 6 a.m. the following morning, so the park is bustling with locals spreading out picnic sheets to enjoy cherry blossom viewing at night, as well as tourists enjoying the food at the stalls.

In particular, the cherry blossoms lit by lanterns that can be seen from the observation deck are extremely popular as a fantastic sight, and you can enjoy the best cherry blossoms at night in the Seto Inland Sea, so be sure to enjoy the cherry blossoms at Senkoji Park on an evening stroll.

Best time to see the cherry blossoms at Senkoji Park

The best time to see the cherry blossoms at Senkoji Park is from late March to early April.
In 2024, the flowers will be in full bloom from around April 5th to April 10th, and in 2023, they will be in full bloom from around March 31st to April 5th.

Location of Senkoji Park

15-1 Higashidocho, Onomichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture, 722-0033

Access to Senkoji Park

To get to Onomichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture, where Senkoji Park is located, you'll first need to take the express train from Kansai International Airport to Shin-Osaka Station.

The journey takes about an hour and costs 2,590 yen.
From Shin-Osaka Station, board the Shinkansen to Fukuyama Station in Hiroshima Prefecture.
The Shinkansen journey takes about 75 minutes and costs 8,000 yen.

From Fukuyama Station to Onomichi Station, it takes 20 minutes by conventional train and costs 420 yen.
It takes 13 minutes on foot from the nearest Onomichi Station to Senkoji Park.

Nearby tourist attractions

Tourist spot 1: Shimanami Kaido

A 10-minute walk from Senkoji Park will take you to the Shimanami Kaido, a highway that connects the cities of Onomichi and Imabari in Shikoku, connecting eight islands with nine bridges, with a total length of about 60 km.

The bridges built to connect the islands of the Seto Inland Sea are all different in shape, which is why they are also called the "Museum of Bridges." Particularly famous are the Tatara Bridge, the longest cable-stayed bridge in the world, and the Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge, the world's first triple suspension bridge.

The weather is nice in spring when the cherry blossoms bloom, so you can see many tourists renting bikes and enjoying cycling or touring the islands in rental cars.

It is possible to cross on foot, but the most popular way is by bicycle.
Be sure to enjoy this amazing cycling route, selected by CNN as one of the "7 Greatest Cycling Routes in the World."

Location of the Shimanami Kaido

Onomichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture to Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture

Tourist spot 2: Literary alley

Within Senkoji Park there is a walking area called "Literature Path."

There are about 25 literary monuments carved into natural rocks with works by famous writers with roots in Onomichi city. By strolling around while reading each work using a translation app, you can come into contact with literary works born from the sensibilities nurtured in the rich natural surroundings of Onomichi.

Among them, the poem by Nakamura Kenkichi, "At Senkoji Temple, the bell of time rings all night long," depicts the scene in Onomichi where the bell of Senkoji Temple chimes the time, and is one monument that you should definitely check out.

Location of Literary Path

15-1 Higashidocho, Onomichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture

Tourist spot 3: ONOMICHI U2

ONOMICHI U2 is a complex located about a 15-minute walk from Senkoji Park.

It is operated by renovating a shipping warehouse completed in 1943, and is filled with a stylish hotel, restaurants and bars, cafes and bakeries, making it the perfect place to buy bread to eat while cherry blossom viewing, or as a place to take a break after a stroll through Senkoji Park.

There is also a cycle shop on-site, so if you'd like to enjoy cycling on the Shimanami Kaido, be sure to check out the latest cycling wear and gear.

Location of ONOMICHI U2

5-11 Nishigoshocho, Onomichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture

summary

Senkoji Park is a perfect cherry blossom viewing spot, with a beautiful contrast between the sea, islands, and cherry blossoms that can only be seen in Onomichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture, which is close to the Seto Inland Sea.

The view of the cherry blossoms and the Seto Inland Sea from the observation deck is a magnificent sight that can only be seen in Onomichi, surrounded by nature.

Not only can you enjoy the beauty of the cherry blossoms, but it is also a cherry blossom viewing spot where you can experience Japanese history and abundant nature, so be sure to visit at least once.