In spring, beautiful cherry blossoms bloom in full bloom, enveloping the entire city in a festive atmosphere. In Fukuoka, you can enjoy cherry blossoms in a variety of places, including historic castle ruins, parks rich in nature, and scenic lakeside spots.

So, this time we will introduce 5 recommended cherry blossom viewing spots in Fukuoka. We will also introduce surrounding tourist spots, so you can enjoy the sightseeing and cuisine unique to Fukuoka along with the cherry blossoms.

Amagi Park

Amagi Park in Fukuoka Prefecture is a vast natural park covering approximately 317,000 square meters, and is known as one of the prefecture's leading cherry blossom viewing spots. Approximately 4,000 Somei-Yoshino cherry trees bloom in full glory around the gourd-shaped pond in the center of the park, and the sight of the cherry blossoms in full bloom reflected on the water's surface is a spectacular sight.

At night, you can enjoy the fantastical illuminated cherry blossoms and the illuminated fountain in the pond. During cherry blossom viewing season, food stalls are lined up, allowing you to enjoy cherry blossom viewing in a lively atmosphere. With the arrival of spring, it is loved by many people as a place of relaxation where locals and tourists gather.

Best time to see cherry blossoms

Late March to early April

location

79 Bodaiji, Asakura City, Fukuoka Prefecture

Access methods

Approximately 7 minutes walk from Amagi Tourist Bus "Asakura City Hall"

Approximately 8 minutes from Amagi IC on the Oita Expressway

Taishojin Park

Taishojin Park in Iizuka City, Fukuoka Prefecture, is a park rich in nature that spreads across a hilly area at an altitude of 112 meters, and is a famous cherry blossom spot where about 2,500 Somei-Yoshino cherry trees bloom in spring. The walkways in the park become a tunnel of cherry blossoms, and visitors are greeted with a beautiful sight when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom.

At the summit is the Taishojin Star Dome, an astronomical observatory, where stargazing events are held on the second and fourth Saturdays of every month, making it a great spot for enjoying stargazing. In addition, the park is popular with families, with a Tarzan rope and large playground equipment. In the warm spring weather, you can enjoy strolling and picnicking while admiring the cherry blossoms.

Best time to see cherry blossoms

Late March to early April

location

1-14 Rakuichi, Iizuka City, Fukuoka Prefecture

Access methods

Approximately 20 minutes on foot from "Tendo Station" on the JR Fukuhoku Yutaka Line (Sasaguri Line/Chikuho Main Line) Approximately 30 minutes via National Route 201 from "Honamihigashi IC" on the Yagiyama Bypass

Maizuru Park

Maizuru Park, located in the center of Fukuoka City, is a beautiful park where history and nature coexist in harmony on the ruins of Fukuoka Castle. In spring, about 1,000 cherry trees, including Somei-Yoshino, weeping, and wild cherry trees, decorate the stone walls, enveloping the entire park in a gorgeous atmosphere. Walking through the cherry blossom tunnel, you can enjoy the spectacular view of the historic castle ruins and cherry blossoms that is unique to Fukuoka.

During the cherry blossom season, the Fukuoka Castle Sakura Festival is held, with food stalls and food trucks lining up, allowing visitors to enjoy local cuisine while viewing the cherry blossoms. At night, the cherry blossoms and castle ruins are lit up, attracting visitors with their fantastic night cherry blossoms.

Best time to see cherry blossoms

Late March to early April

location

1, Jonai, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture

Access methods

Approximately 8 minutes on foot from Akasaka Station or Ohori Park Station on the Fukuoka Municipal Subway Approximately 8 minutes on foot from Nishitetsu Bus "Fukuoka Castle Korokan-mae" or "Fukuoka Art Museum East Exit"

Kakio Park

Kakio Park in Nakama City, Fukuoka Prefecture, is the city's largest urban park and is also known as a famous cherry blossom viewing spot. In spring, about 1,000 cherry trees bloom in full glory, and the contrast between the cherry blossoms and the vermilion-painted drum bridge "Enju Bridge" that spans Kakio Pond is a truly photogenic sight.

During the flowering season, the Chikuzen Nakama Sakura Festival is held, and the area is bustling with people visiting the food stalls and events during the period. There is a cave burial mound within the park, and it is also attractive because you can take a leisurely stroll while immersing yourself in history and nature. If you take a boat, you can enjoy the spectacular view of the cherry blossoms from above the pond. This is a spot where you can enjoy both nature and culture at the same time, so be sure to visit.

Best time to see cherry blossoms

Late March to early April

location

428 Yatsuhiro, Kakio, Nakama City, Fukuoka Prefecture

Access methods

About 5 minutes walk from JR Chikuho Main Line "Chikuzen-Kakio Station"

About 15 minutes from the Kyushu Expressway "Kurate IC"

Hinatakami Dam

Hyugakami Dam in Fukuoka Prefecture is an impressive 79.5-meter-tall dam, and the beautiful scenery of Lake Hyugakami that surrounds it is an attractive feature. In spring, about 1,000 Somei-Yoshino cherry trees bloom in full glory, and are affectionately known as "Senbonzakura." The cherry blossom trees along the lakeside are reflected on the surface of the dam, creating a picturesque landscape that will have you stopping to gaze upon its beauty.

We especially recommend driving through a flurry of falling cherry blossoms. The falling petals paint the road pink, creating a fantastic atmosphere. The area around the dam is lined with strangely shaped rocks, reminiscent of a Chinese landscape painting. At the nearby Yabegawa Genryu Park, you can enjoy bird watching and a leisurely cherry blossom viewing session.

Best time to see cherry blossoms

Late March to early April

location

Yabe Hinata Shrine, Yabe Village, Yame City, Fukuoka Prefecture

Access methods

About 50 minutes from the Kyushu Expressway "Yame IC"

Other popular tourist destinations in Fukuoka

We will introduce three popular tourist spots unique to Fukuoka that you can enjoy along with the cherry blossoms.

Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine

Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine in Fukuoka Prefecture is the head shrine of the approximately 12,000 Tenmangu shrines across Japan that enshrines Sugawara no Michizane, the god of learning. This shrine is one of the largest in Kyushu, and many visitors from Japan and abroad come to pray for success in exams and protection from misfortune.

There are about 6,000 plum trees planted within the grounds, and in the spring, beautiful flowers bloom in full glory. Particularly famous is the "Tobiume" (flying plum), a sacred tree that is said to have flown from Kyoto overnight in adoration of Michizane. Along with this beautiful legend, the fragrance of plums envelops the grounds. The vermilion-painted main hall and other historic buildings are decorated with plum blossoms, and the shrine's charm is that you can enjoy its different charms in each season.

Mojiko Retro

Mojiko Retro is a popular tourist destination facing the Kanmon Strait in northern Fukuoka Prefecture. It flourished as a base for international trade from the Meiji to Showa periods, and was considered one of the "three major ports of Japan" alongside Yokohama and Kobe. The brick buildings that remain today strongly retain the charm of those times, creating a nostalgic atmosphere.

There are over 25 tourist spots in the area, including the Kanmon Strait Museum, where you can enjoy hands-on exhibits about the history and culture of the strait. In addition, the Mojiko Retro Observation Room offers a panoramic view of the Kanmon Strait and the port cityscape, and at night, a romantic night view unfolds. There is also plenty of shopping and dining options, so you can fully enjoy the charm of the port town while strolling around.

Winnie the Pooh's Strawberry Garden

Pooh's Strawberry Farm is one of the largest strawberry picking farms in Kyushu, and has introduced a multi-tiered elevated cultivation system, allowing everyone from small children to wheelchair users to enjoy strawberry picking in comfort. The fully ripened strawberries grown in a clean environment are bathed in plenty of sunlight, making them sweet and juicy.

About eight varieties of strawberries are grown in the farm, and one of the attractions is being able to compare them. Try to find your favorite while tasting the differences in sweetness and aroma of each variety. The paths are wide and covered with sheets, so you don't have to worry about getting your shoes dirty. You can enjoy strawberry picking in a relaxed atmosphere surrounded by nature.

summary

Fukuoka has many attractive spots where you can enjoy beautiful cherry blossoms. In Fukuoka, you can enjoy cherry blossoms in a variety of landscapes, such as historic castle ruins, parks rich in nature, and scenic lakeside spots. We recommend taking a leisurely stroll under the cherry blossoms during the day and enjoying the fantastical illuminated scenery at night.

You can also enjoy Fukuoka's unique cuisine and traditional culture at the surrounding tourist spots. Why not experience the charms of Fukuoka to the fullest this spring, along with the cherry blossoms?