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Nagano Prefecture, Japan
Cherry blossoms are considered Japan’ s national flower, symbolizing renewal and life’ s fleeting nature. Few places capture spring’ s ephemeral beauty like Takato Castle Park in Nagano Prefecture, north west of Tokyo. It was founded in the 16th century by the Takeda clan, and its stone ramparts and wooden gates provide a dramatic backdrop for more than 1,500 kohigan-zakura trees— a variety of sakura prized for its smaller, more delicate petals that are stained with a rich pink hue and bloom slightly earlier than some other mountain varieties.
April sees the ruins transform into one of the country’ s top three cherry blossom destinations, drawing millions of visitors to participate in hanami, the custom of flower-viewing. Make sure to cross the curved Ounkyo bridge, where overhanging branches fill the moat with hanaikada( flower rafts). Elevated walkways reveal views of the canopy backed by the snowcapped peaks of the Japanese Alps, and fragrant blossom tunnels lead to the honmaru, the former bailey and hub of festivities. For a memorable evening, head an hour north of Takato to the blacklacquered Matsumoto Castle, where lanterns lit during the spring festival cast shimmering reflections of pink petals and dark timber across the water.
The blossom season moves across Japan like a slow tide from south to north— starting first in the subtropical islands of Okinawa as early as January and sweeping through Kyoto and Tokyo in late March to early April before reaching the northern regions later in the month. Peak bloom in Nagano typically occurs from mid to late April. winter 2025 • 11