Update: Due to usual weather patterns, the cherry blossoms have already opened in Fukuoka, and the ideal viewing time has been moved back considerably. So get out there and start picnicking!
Winter is starting to fade away, which means the time for cherry blossom viewing is near! In Fukuoka, the first flowers should appear in late March, and the best time for viewing the trees in 2013 will be from March 20 to 28 (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 Kaihin Park
Cycling, disc golf, and seaside strolls combine with beautiful cherry blossoms in this massive multipurpose park.
- Location: 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
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 shown 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