The 7 Best Places to see Cherry Trees in Okinawa
- Published on : 27/02/2026
- by : I.D.O.
- Youtube
Okinawa under the cherry trees
@Shutterstock
The first sakura
Fancy admiring the sakura before its time? In January, escape the cold and head for Okinawa, where the first cherry trees bloom in Japan. To make sure you don't miss out on the pink season, Japan Experience presents 7 places to admire them!
Kanhizakura, Okinawa's cherry trees
In Okinawa, spring begins in January with the Kanhizakura, a very special variety of cherry tree. With their deep-pink, bell-shaped petals, the "Taiwan cherry trees", as they're known, bloom from north to south of the prefecture, much to the delight of its inhabitants. Where can you admire the first cherry trees of the year? Follow our guide.
1. Yanbaru National Park
In the heart of a UNESCO-listed subtropical forest, Yanbaru National Park offers the wildest hanami in Japan. From mid-January onwards, the Kanhizakuratrees color the jungle with touches of fuchsia, creating a striking contrast with the surrounding greenery.
Among our favorite spots, we recommend Kunigami Forest Park, with its hiking trails lined with wild cherry trees, and the village of Ogimi, where sakura trees line the river.
FURTHER INFORMATION
ADDRESS: Kunigami Forest Park, 1094-1 Hentona, Kunigami, Kunigami District, Okinawa 905-1411 / Ogimi Village, Taminato, Ogimi Village, Kunigami District, Okinawa 905-1314
DATES: mid to late January
Kanhizakura
@Karen on Flickr, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
2. Mount Yaedake
Mount Yaedake, on the Motobu Peninsula, is famous for its road lined with 7,000 Kanhizakura. When in bloom, the road is transformed into a photogenic tunnel of pink flowers.
From late January to early February, a festival is also held here: street food stalls and entertainment. Come and enjoy the lively Hanami atmosphere! Sakuranomori Park, at the foot of the mountain, is the heart of the celebrations, with its hiking trails and panoramic viewpoints.
FURTHER INFORMATION
ADDRESS: Okayo, Motobu, Kunigami District, Okinawa 905-0223
DATES: late January to early February
Yaedake
@Official Okinawa Travel Guide
Visiting Okinawa? Discover the prefecture with our activities for the whole family!
3. Nago Castle Park
Overlooking the town, the park is one of the few Okinawan sites to feature in the prestigious "100 best sakura spots in Japan". Every year, at the end of January, its 2,000 Kanhizakura transform the hills into a fuchsia carpet, visible from Nago Bay. The highlight of the show is the climb up the stone staircase to the shrine, where the flowers frame a breathtaking panorama of the waters of the East China Sea.
A festival is held every winter at several locations in the city : Sakura Park, Nago's main crossroads, the fishing port and Nago Central Park, home to some 20,000 Taiwanese cherry trees. Dances and food stalls are also part of the festivities.
FURTHER INFORMATION
ADDRESS: 5511 Nago, Okinawa 905-0012
DATES: January 31 and February 1, 2026
Nago
@City of Nago
Nago
@Pixta
4. The ruins of Castle Nakijin
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the ruins of Nakijin Castle offer an unobstructed view of the sea. From late January to mid-February, during the Sakura Festival, the adjoining park is illuminated to the delight of visitors. An opening ceremony and various events are held throughout the festival.
FURTHER INFORMATION
ADDRESS: 5101 Imadomari, Nakijin, Kunigami District, Okinawa 905-0428
DATES: January 31 to February 6, 2026
Nakijin
@Official Okinawa Travel Guide
From Tokyo to the beaches of Okinawa, discover Japan differently!
Set off on a complete tour of Japan: discover Tokyo and Kyoto, admire Mount Fuji, explore Hiroshima and the sacred island of Miyajima, then immerse yourself in the friendly atmosphere of Fukuoka, the gastronomic capital of Kyushu. Finish your trip with 5 days in Okinawa: depending on your choice, stay in a beach resort or in the heart of Naha, ideal for visiting the neighboring islands, enjoying the beaches and discovering the local culture.
Sedake Beach, Okinawa.
japan Experience
5. Yaese Park
Located on a hill overlooking the town of Yaese, this park is home to around 500 sakura. What makes it unique? The climb up 200 lantern-lined steps to the top of the site. From here, you can enjoypanoramic views of the sea and surroundingsugarcane fields.
FURTHER INFORMATION
ADDRESS: 1607 Tomori, Yaese-cho, Shimajiri-gun, Okinawa 901-0402
DATES: night-time illuminations from January 23 to February 11, 2026
Yaese Cherry Festival
@Yaese City
Yaese Cherry Festival
@Yaese City
6. Naminoue Shrine (Naha)
Perched above the main beach of Naha, the Naminoue Shrine turns pink when the cherry trees blossom. The cherry trees frame the vermilion architecture of the site and open out onto the waters of Okinawa. It's a rare sight, a sensation at sunset.
FURTHER INFORMATION
ADDRESS: 1 Chome-25-11 Wakasa, Naha, Okinawa 900-0031
DATES: early to mid-February
Naminoue Shrine (Okinawa)
@Wikimedia, royalty-free
7. Yogi Park (Naha)
Just a 15-minute walk from the famous Kokusai Dori street, Yogi Park hosts Naha's Sakura Festival every winter. Admire over 400 cherry trees in full bloom on a romantic stroll along the river! Dance performances and food stalls enhance the stroll.
FURTHER INFORMATION
ADDRESS: 1 Chome-1-1 Yorimiya, Naha, Okinawa 902-0064
DATES: mid to late February
Yogi Park (Okinawa)
@iStock
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