10 Best Cherry Blossom Spots in Hiroshima: Stunning Streetscapes and Seto Inland Sea Views

According to the forecast released on January 8, 2026 on “Sakura Navi” by a private weather company, the expected opening and full bloom dates in 2026 are as follows.
The peak viewing period is expected to be around March 28 to April 4.

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park is home to many monuments, memorials, and facilities dedicated to world peace, including the Atomic Bomb Dome, the Peace Bell, the Children’s Peace Monument, and the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum.
When cherry blossoms reach their peak, the park, surrounded by rivers and greenery, is filled with Approx. 300 cherry trees in bloom.
Seeing the blossoms together with the surrounding buildings offers a powerful reminder of the value of peace and the happiness of everyday life.
For a more elegant experience, you can enjoy the cherry blossoms from the riverside on a Gangi Taxi (water taxi) or a river cruise boat.
There is no special illumination, but the cherry blossoms gently lit by streetlights along the river at night are also a highlight.

Hijiyama Park, located on a small hill in Hiroshima City, is a lush green spot surrounded by nature.
Within its vast grounds you’ll find a playground, memorial monuments, and facilities such as the Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art and the Manga Library, making it a place people of all ages can enjoy all day long.
Long known as a cherry blossom hotspot, the park is filled with Approx. 1,300 Somei Yoshino cherry trees in full bloom at peak season.
From the hill, which rises to nearly 230 ft above sea level, you can enjoy stunning views of the Seto Inland Sea, the cityscape rebuilt after the atomic bombing, and the beautiful cherry blossoms all at once.
Admission and parking (Approx. 120 spaces) are free, and restrooms are available, so it’s ideal for hanami picnics.
Because it is extremely popular, be aware that you’ll need to secure your spot early in the morning.

Ondo-no-Seto is the strait between Kegoya in Kure City and Kurahashi Island. It is said that more than 800 years ago, in 1162, the powerful warlord Taira no Kiyomori spent Approx. 10 months opening it up as a new sea route.
The strait is only about 295 ft wide and has fast currents, making it a challenging passage for ships. Even today, however, Approx. 700 vessels of all sizes pass through every day, creating a distinct Seto Inland Sea harbor atmosphere.
On the Kegoya side of the Ondo Bridge is Ondo-no-Seto Park, where Approx. 2,300 cherry trees reach full bloom from late March to early April.
One especially recommended viewpoint is from the arched pedestrian bridge (nicknamed the Third Ondo Bridge).
From here, you can photograph both the Ondo Bridge and the Second Ondo Bridge together, and enjoy the striking contrast of two red bridges spanning the blue sea, framed by cherry blossoms.

Ueno Park is a sightseeing spot in Shobara City, located in northeastern Hiroshima Prefecture bordering Tottori and Okayama Prefectures.
Approx. 600 cherry trees planted around Ueno Pond, which has a 2 km circumference, have earned the park a place among Japan’s Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots.
Ueno Park is especially loved for its sweeping panoramic views and the stunning sight of full-bloom cherry blossoms reflected on the pond’s surface.
Around the same time, forsythia and spirea also come into bloom, coloring the park with vivid pink, yellow, and white flowers.
Don’t miss the illuminated cherry blossoms after sunset, when the trees are lit up from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm.
The nighttime blossoms, softly glowing in the light of paper lanterns, are said to be some of the most beautiful in western Japan and are highly recommended.
The Ueno Park Cherry Blossom Festival is also held during peak season, with food stalls and events creating a lively atmosphere perfect for strolling and hanami (cherry blossom viewing).

The Japan Mint Hiroshima Branch in Hiroshima City is the only factory in Japan with an integrated production line for coins.
It mainly produces six types of standard coins (¥1, ¥5, ¥10, ¥50, ¥100, and ¥500), as well as medals awarded at international competitions.
Approx. 1,000 metal artworks are on display, including items related to the history of currency, large and small gold coins, and foreign money, offering a glimpse into Japan’s world-class minting technology.
From mid- to late April, when the cherry blossoms are at their best, part of the grounds opens to the public for the “Hana no Mawarimichi” (Blossoms Path) event.
Modeled after the famous “Sakura no Torinuke” (Cherry Blossom Walkthrough) at the Mint’s main office in Osaka and opened to the public in 1993, this event has become a beloved spring tradition for local residents.
Approx. 60 varieties and 220 cherry trees, mainly double-flowered yaezakura with large petals, bloom in vivid colors that seem to cover the sky.
You can also see rare varieties such as Otemari and Benitemari, whose different colors and shapes add extra charm.
The illuminated cherry blossoms after dark offer a completely different atmosphere from daytime and are another highlight.

Senkoji Park stretches from the summit to the mid-slope of Mt. Senkoji, one of the three Onomichi mountains, which stands 144.2 m tall.
A ropeway runs from downtown Onomichi up to Senkoji Park, and the Approx. 3-minute ride makes access easy. From the windows you can enjoy views of Onomichi’s cityscape, designated as a Japan Heritage site.
At peak cherry blossom season, Approx. 1,500 Somei Yoshino, Yaezakura, and other trees fill the park with blooms.
From mid-March to mid-April, the park is lit up from 6:00 pm to 6:00 am, and the soft glow of paper lanterns gently illuminates the blossoms at night.
Cherry trees lit up in the middle of the night are a rare sight, and the scenery becomes even more stunning, so it is well worth strolling around as you admire the view.

Located in Hatsukaichi City in western Hiroshima Prefecture, Miyajima is one of Japan’s Three Most Scenic Spots and one of Hiroshima’s signature destinations.
It is best known as the island that is home to Itsukushima Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage site that is also extremely popular with international visitors.
The shrine’s unique architecture, built over the sea, and the striking vermilion Great Torii Gate never fail to impress.
On Miyajima, time seems to slow down, and local specialties such as oysters and conger eel make it a relaxing getaway for both body and mind.
In spring, Approx. 1,900 cherry trees, including Yamazakura, Shidarezakura, and Oshima-zakura, burst into bloom across the island, adding color to the vast landscape.
Among them, the area around Tahoto Pagoda, where you can see the Great Torii Gate rising from the Seto Inland Sea framed by cherry blossoms, is a must-visit viewpoint.
Throughout the year, the shrine buildings, including Itsukushima Shrine, are illuminated from sunset until 11:00 pm.
The combination of the mystical lighting and the gentle sound of the waves creates an otherworldly atmosphere you can sink into.

Also located in Hatsukaichi City like Miyajima, Sumiyoshi Teibojiki is known as one of the city’s top cherry blossom spots.
This gently sloping, Approx. 600 m-long embankment stretches from the east end of Enoura Ohashi Bridge toward Shokita Ground, connecting the north and south sides of the timber port.
Approx. 240 cherry trees are densely planted along both sides of the path, forming a beautiful tunnel of blossoms at peak season.
When petals flutter down and the sky almost disappears behind a canopy of pink, the sight is nothing short of breathtaking.
It is also an ideal place to spread out a picnic sheet on the slope and enjoy a leisurely break.
At night, Approx. 130 paper lanterns light up the cherry blossoms from around 6:00 pm to around 9:00 pm, creating another highlight.
The trees, bathed in a soft pink glow, take on a mysterious beauty that will leave you speechless.
On the first Sunday in April, the Cherry Blossom Festival is held here, filling the area with lively events, so join in if your timing allows.

Ozekiyama Park in Miyoshi City, in northern Hiroshima Prefecture, is an urban park that occupies an entire mountain.
Once the site of an outlying castle, it is a place with deep history; during the early Edo period (1603–1868), it is said that the samurai Ozeki Masakatsu took up residence here.
In modern times, it has become known as one of the Chugoku region’s leading nature parks, and a monument stands here engraved with a poem about the mountain’s cherry blossoms by local poet Nakamura Kenkichi.
When the blossoms reach their peak, Approx. 600 cherry trees of various kinds turn the entire area pink, creating a breathtaking cascade of color.
For the best view, head to the observatory at the top of the park and take in the cityscape of Miyoshi spread out below.
Also be sure to check out the Approx. 500 m-long row of cherry trees along the Gonokawa River at the foot of the mountain.
Illuminations are scheduled from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm, so check the official website before you visit.

Hiroshima Botanical Garden is a comprehensive botanical garden located midway between central Hiroshima and Miyajima.
Set on spacious grounds with sweeping views of the Seto Inland Sea, it features a large greenhouse, exhibition greenhouse, and cultivation greenhouse, as well as a museum, lawn plaza, and a garden showcasing the evolution of flowers, where Approx. 10,000 varieties and 200,000 individual plants are grown.
You can enjoy beautiful flowers year-round, including rare and precious blooms you’ll hardly see anywhere else.
Most recently, in 2023, the garden saw the flowering of the Mikado ananas (Bromeliaceae), said to bloom only once every 10 years.
In spring, you can fully appreciate Approx. 70 varieties and 250 trees of colorful cherry blossoms, among the largest collections in Hiroshima Prefecture.
The viewing season lasts relatively long, from mid-March to late April.
Also keep in mind the “Cherry Blossoms and Illuminations Evening,” held for three days each year (mainly in late March and early April; please check the official website).
The event features concerts and viewing sessions, but the highlights are the candlelight illuminations and the lit-up cherry blossoms.
An indescribably beautiful scene unfolds before your eyes.