The 9 Best Places to see Cherry Blossoms in Takayama and Gifu Prefecture
- Published on : 05/03/2026
- by : Joshua
- Youtube
Cherry blossoms in Takayama
@ueruko on Unsplash
Gifu Prefecture is one of the geographically largest prefectures in Japan, with thick forests, mountains, and valleys defining its scenery. With this, beautiful spots for cherry blossoms in spring can be visited throughout the prefecture, from the more rural areas in and around Takayama to the more urban center of Gifu City.
Take a look at our favorite places in this unique prefecture to see cherry blossoms!
Takayama area
Takayama is a charming town in central Gifu Prefecture. The town itself is home to a medley of small shops and restaurants with a river flowing through its center. The town itself and the surrounding area are geographically defined by mountains and valleys, and beautiful nature can be found all throughout the landscape, with great spots for cherry blossoms included!
1. Nakabashi Bridge
Nakabashi, Takayama
@Vladimir Haltakov on Unsplash
A symbol of Takayama, Nakabashi Bridge is located in the historic district of the city. Its bright red color blends elegantly with the delicate pink of the cherry trees and becomes the central location for festivals in the town.
You will easily find places to sit near the bridge and admire the sakura at your leisure, with the river flowing beneath it, the charming buildings of Takayama around it, and the rolling mountains in the background.
2. Kitayama Walking Path
The southern part of the city, once occupied by merchants, has now been replaced by shops and old houses that house traditional cake shops.
North of the houses, you will find the Kitayama Walking Path. The path crosses Kitayama Park, where you can admire the cherry blossoms.
3. Shiroyama Park
Located at the foot of the hill where the ruins of Takayama Castle stand, Shiroyama Park is the largest park in the city.
Ideal for hanami, the Ninomaru esplanade inside the park is very popular with locals. You can also discover the discreet Shôrenji walking temple.
4. Hida Gokoku Temple
Built at the foot of Mount Kinka, Hida Gokoku Temple is dedicated to those who died during the Meiji Restoration (1868). The temple is known for its cherry blossoms: its ukai-zakura cherry tree was planted 100 years ago!
This cherry tree is so named because the Japanese believe that the number of flowers indicates the amount of ayu fish that will be caught during the year using the ukai fishing technique.
Sakura at Hida Gokoku-ji
@Bong Crit on Flickr, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Sakura in Takayama
@Johan Mouchet on Unsplash
Travel to and from Takayama with train tickets and rail passes!
5. Gero Onsen
In spring, the soothing hot spring town of Gero Onsen transforms into a pastel wonderland as cherry blossoms bloom along the Hida River and throughout the town’s parks and streets. Soft pink sakura frame the traditional ryokan and riverside footbaths, creating a dreamy contrast between drifting petals and rising onsen steam.
One of the most popular viewing spots is around Onsenji Temple, where blossoms line the hillside paths and offer gentle views over the town below. The Hida Limited Express Train from Takyama to Gero Station takes around 45 minutes. The Takayama-Gero Line also allows access as well, but in around 1.5 hours.
6. Shirakawago
The UNESCO-listed village of Shirakawa-go is transformed by soft pink cherry blossoms that add a delicate touch to its iconic thatched-roof farmhouses. Clusters of sakura bloom around the historic gasshō-zukuri homes, including the well-preserved Wada House, creating a striking contrast between pale petals and the steep wooden roofs.
From the Shiroyama Viewpoint, visitors can look out over the entire village framed by blossoms and the surrounding mountains. The village is accessible from Takayama Station via the Nohi Bus and takes around one hour.
Shirakawago
@ueruko on Unsplash
7. Sunomata Castle Park
Seeing cherry blossoms at Sunomata Castle is like stepping into a springtime postcard. Often called the “one-night castle” for its legendary origins under Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the reconstructed keep rises above the Sai River, where hundreds of sakura trees bloom along the embankments.
The trees reflect beautifully on the water, creating especially photogenic scenes at sunset and after dark when the blossoms are illuminated. The W65 bus from Gifu Station gets visitors to the castle grounds in around 45 minutes.
Sunomata Castle
@Alpsdake on Wikimedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
8. Inaba Shrine
The shrine grounds are decorated with shidarezakura trees, a type of cherry blossom known for its drooping branches. The shrine itself has almost 2,000 years of history and is situated at the foot of Mount Kinka.
The lane leading up to the shrine itself is adorned with cherry trees as well. A number of festivals are held throughout the spring season, including Setsubun and the Gifu Festival.
9. Usuzumi Park
Usuzumi-zakura
@Alpsdake on Wikimedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
The park is home to the Usuzumi Zakura, one of Japan’s most legendary cherry trees. This ancient tree, believed to be over 1,500 years old, is one of Japan’s most revered sakura and is said to have been planted by Emperor Keitai.
There are other cherry trees on the premises, but the crown jewel presents a living piece of Japanese culture and history! From Ogaki Station in Gifu City, the journey to the park takes a bit over one hour, with a 20-minute walk from Tarumi Station.
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