Winter Cherry Blossoms in Japan - Springtime Sakura During the colder months

It's early enough that you have to go to Jomine Park in Saitamasi if you want to admire its 600 winter cherry trees since they begin to bloom in October!

Also very famous for its momiji (maple blossoms), the park offers a nice play of color in mid-November when the maples and cherry trees are in full bloom. It is even illuminated every winter for the occasion until 8 p.m. to allow night visitors to admire from a new angle the fortuitous encounter between these two varieties of flowers, both very popular with the Japanese.

Address: 955, Shimoaguhara, Kamikawa-machi, Kodama-gun, Saitama, 367-0311

Hours: 8 AM-5 PM daily

With over 7,000 cherry blossom trees in winter, Sakurayama Park is aptly named. Just as pleasant in spring as in winter, it is one of the country's most popular spots for fuyuzakura and thus attracts many visitors each year thanks to its traditional garden, which offers sumptuous landscapes when the cherry trees bloom!

Especially once the sun goes down since the park lights up every year from mid-November to mid-December to sublimate the petals in the light of the moon.

Address: 2166-1 Sanbagawa, Fujioka, Gunma 370-1405

Hours: Open 24 hours

Here, Kawazu-zakura trees bloom in early February with a vibrant pink hue. Even better, the park offers amazing views of Mount Fuji on clear days! Seeing the Sakura bloom with the white-capped winter peak of the enigmatic mountain in the background is a scene out of a movie.

There is an illumination at night in early February when the cherry blossoms bloom that highlights both the flowers and Mount Fuji. From the hills of the park, Sagami Bay and the mountains by Hakone are also visible.

Address: 2951 Matsudasoryo, Matsuda, Ashigarakami District, Kanagawa 258-0003

Hours: 9am-5pm (9am-9pm during illumination season), Closed on Mondays

Along the Itokawa River Promenade in Atami, Shizuoka, is a striking early-blooming cherry variety that brings a burst of color to the town in the depths of winter. Starting as early as mid-January, around 58 trees line a 300-meter stretch of the riverwalk, offering one of Japan's first glimpses of sakura each year.

Each year, the Itokawa Promenade Sakura Festival, held from mid-January through early February, celebrates these blossoms with nighttime illuminations, cherry-blossom tea services on weekends, and a variety of street performances, including music and traditional dance.