Kanazawa, with its fantastic gardens and green spaces, is a great place to enjoy Japan’s famous cherry blossoms. Here are the best spots and information on when the cherries bloom.
Kanazawa Castle Park with cherry blossoms © norio-nakayama
In a hurry? Scroll down to our list of Kanazawa’s best cherry blossom spots. For information on the timing of cherry blossom season in Kanazawa, read the following section first.
When is cherry blossom season in Kanazawa?
In Kanazawa, the cherry blossoms (sakura) usually bloom in the last week of March and the first two weeks of April (roughly between 20 March and 14 April). In an average year, the blooms peak on 1 April in Kanazawa. Once they bloom, the blossoms are notoriously fickle: sometimes almost all the trees will come into full bloom (mankai) at the same time and stay in full bloom for a week or even longer.
Kenroku-en Garden with cherry blossoms © luxtonnerre
Kanazawa’s best cherry blossom spots
Here is our list of the best cherry blossom spots in Kanazawa. For more details on these places, visit our Things To Do in Kanazawa page.
- Kazuemachi Geisha Street: Just across the river from the famous Higashi Chaya area, this former geisha district has a wonderful arcade of cherry trees. A stroll here in the evening, along the banks of the Asano-gawa River, would be the perfect way to end the day in Kanazawa.
- Ishikawa-mon Gate, Kanazawa Castle Park: A view of the cherry trees here, with Ishikawa-mon Gate in the background, is almost too picturesque.
- Sakuragaoka Hill, Kenroku-en Garden: The cherry trees form a tunnel of blossoms here in springtime. It’s not to be missed.
- Edomachi-dori Street in front of Kenroku-en Garden: An evening walk along this lantern-lit street full of happy people is sure to make you feel happy, too.
- Kenjyo-tei restaurant, in front of Kenroku-en Garden: The view from a window-side table on the second floor of this restaurant is gorgeous, even on a rainy cold day.
- If you have extra time: Noto Kajima Station, Noto Line: Known to locals as “Sakura Station,” the tunnel of cherry blossoms here is magical. The view of Nanao Bay from this station is also recommended.
For cherry blossoms in other cities, see our Japan Cherry Blossoms page.
Kanazawa Travel Guide:
- Kanazawa Travel Guide Overview
- Things To Do In Kanazawa
- Kanazawa Walking Tour
- Places To Eat In Kanazawa
- Kanazawa Itineraries
- Kanazawa Cherry Blossoms
- Kanazawa Fall Foliage
- Kanazawa Districts
- Kanazawa Ryokan
- Kanazawa Hotels
- – Best Luxury Hotels in Kanazawa
- – Best Mid Range Hotels in Kanazawa
- – Best Budget Hotels in Kanazawa
- How To Get To Kanazawa
- Getting Around Kanazawa
- Best Time To Go To Kanazawa
Kyoto Vacation Checklist
- For all the essentials in a brief overview, see my First Time In Kyoto guide
- Check Kyoto accommodation availability on Booking.com and Agoda.com - often you can book with no upfront payment and free cancellation
- You can buy shinkansen (bullet train) tickets online from Klook - popular routes include Tokyo to Kyoto, Kyoto to Osaka and Kyoto to Tokyo
- Need tips on where to stay? See my one page guide Where To Stay In Kyoto
- See my comprehensive Packing List For Japan
- You can buy an eSim to activate in Japan or buy a data-only SIM card online for collection when you arrive at Tokyo's Narita or Haneda Airports or Kansai International Airport. You can also rent an unlimited data pocket wifi router
- Compare Japan flight prices and timings to find the best deals
- If you're making frequent train journeys during your visit, you might save money with Japan Rail Pass – see if it's worth it for you
- A prepaid Welcome Suica card makes travelling around Kyoto easy – here's how
- World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world
- Do you want help planning your trip? Chris Rowthorn and his team of Japan experts at Japan Travel Consulting can help
