Hakata Hanami 2014: Cherry Blossoms in Fukuoka City

Cherry blossoms in Nishi Park, Fukuoka

This year’s winter weather has been up and down, with a few unusually cold and warm patches. In Fukuoka, the first cherry blossoms are expected to appear as normal or slightly earlier than usual. In 2014, most flowers will open around March 19 and the best time for viewing the flowers in is predicted to be from March 25 to April 2 (subject to change depending on the weather — I will update these dates periodically based on the latest forecasts). The following is a list of popular spots for viewing cherry blossoms in Fukuoka City.

Atago Shrine

A hilltop shrine with a great view of Hakata Bay and the surrounding city.

• Location: 15 min. walk from Muromi Station (Kuko Subway Line)
• Approx. number of Cherry Trees: 2,000

Maizuru Park

A large park with lots of space for picnics, with the remains of Fukuoka Castle as a backdrop.

• Location: 7-10 min. walk from Ohorikoen Station (Kuko Subway Line)
• Approx. number of Cherry Trees: 1,000

Nishi Park

A hillside park, known as one of the top 100 cherry blossom spots in Japan.

• Location: 10-15 min. walk from Ohorikoen Station
• Approx. number of Cherry Trees: 1,300

Uminonakamichi Seaside Park

Cycling, disc golf, and seaside strolls combine with beautiful cherry blossoms in this massive multipurpose park.

• Location: Near Uminonakamichi Station. Transfer from the JR Kagoshima Main Line at Kashii Station, and take the JR Uminonakamichi Line to Uminonakamichi Station (park entrance and bicycle rentals just outside the station).
• Approx. number of Cherry Trees: 2,000

Minami Park

Cherry blossoms and greenery tucked away in a quiet corner of town.

• Location: 15 min. walk from Sakurazaka Station (Nanakuma Subway Line)
• Approx. number of Cherry Trees: 1,400

Nokonoshima Island Park

Gorgeous natural scenery on one of Hataka Bay’s nearby islands.

• Location: 10-15 min. by bus from Tosenba-mae (渡船場) bus stop on Nokonoshima Island. From central Fukuoka, take the train/subway to Meinohama Station (Kuko Subway Line, JR Chikuhi Line), take bus 98 from Meinohama Station (north exit) to Noko Tosenba (能古渡船場) bus stop (15 min.), then take the ferry from the nearby terminal to Nokonoshima Island (10 min.). Buses on Nokonoshima Island are infrequent, so it may be faster to take a taxi to the park.
• Approx. number of Cherry Trees: 300

Forest City Aburayama

The beautiful Mt. Aburayama provides laid-back hiking trails and amazing scenery (including an unparalleled view of the city and bay from the summit). The addition of cherry blossoms makes it even more stunning.

• Location: Take bus #13 from Tenjin (急行 / kyuko express bus) bound for Hibaru Eigyosho, or bus #113 from Hakata Station (急行 / kyuko express bus) bound for Hibaru Eigyosho, and get off at Aburayama Danchi-guchi (油山団地口) bus stop (takes approx. 30 min. using either bus). From Aburayama Danchi-guchi, it’s about a 1 hour walk to Forest City Aburayama or a 15 min. taxi ride, but there are special buses that go up on weekends (buses don’t run late and they arrive about every 1.5 hours — bus schedules are provided in Japanese on Forest City Aburayama’s website).
• Approx. number of Cherry Trees: 2,000

Note: “Approx. number of Cherry Trees” statistic taken from http://www.innovade.co.jp/en/seasons/04/hanami/fukuokashinai.html