t’s time for cherry blossoms!! Spring is almost here, and it’s time to gear up for your trip to Japan. While many countries have pink blossoms, nothing quite captures the imagination like the combination of Mt. Fuji and the delicate elegance of the Japanese sakura.
Spring brings with it warmth and the anticipation of pink petals. Are you ready? We have updated our guide for the 2026 season to highlight the most breathtaking spots in KYUSHU. Known for being among the first to bloom on the main islands, Kyushu offers a warm and vibrant start to the season!
Cherry blossom forecast for 2026
The official 2026 predictions indicate that Kyushu will see a relatively standard blooming schedule, with Fukuoka and Kumamoto leading the way.
- Fukuoka: First Bloom: March 21 / Full Bloom: March 30
- Kumamoto: First Bloom: March 20 / Full Bloom: March 29
- Miyazaki: First Bloom: March 22 / Full Bloom: April 1
- Kagoshima: First Bloom: March 25 / Full Bloom: April 4
Because Kyushu is further south, the weather can get warm quickly. For the most accurate 2026 predictions, we recommend checking the “Sakura Meter” in the Ikidane Nippon App every week starting in early March.
Note that the best viewing period is based on last year’s data.
Kumamoto Castle
Kumamoto Castle is listed as one of Japan’s top three castles. Within Kumamoto Castle’s grounds, there are approximately 800 cherry blossom trees, that bloom all at once when spring arrives. The contrast between the light pink of the cherry blossoms and the strong black of the castle is indescribably beautiful.
Saitobaru Burial Mounds
Located in Miyazaki prefecture, Saitobaru Kofungun is one of Japan’s largest cluster of burial mounds. Over 2,000 cherry trees bloom at once in spring. Along with the cherry blossoms, over 300,000 canola flowers bloom at around the same time.
The combination of the cherry blossoms and the rape blossoms creates a beautiful scene. There are no tall buildings in this area to detract your attention from the beauty of nature.
Maizuru Park
Maizuru Park is situated on the ruins of Fukuoka Castle which is deeply connected to the genius military strategist Kuroda Kanbe who served under the famous Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the great lord who sought to unify Japan. The people of Fukuoka enjoy this park as a place to relax from season to season, and it is especially beautiful in spring when the cherry trees have blossomed.
There are also beautiful illuminations in the park so one can enjoy the different scenes of the cherry blossoms both during the day and night.
Nishi Park
Nishi Park is a seaside park on a small hill full of greenery in Fukuoka City. The park is colored with around 1,300 cherry trees in spring. Nishi Park is known as one of the best places in Fukuoka for cherry blossoms and is chosen as one of the “top 100 places for cherry blossoms in Japan” with around 1,300 somei-yoshino and yama-zakura cherry trees.
The most beautiful area of the park is a small place called cherry blossom valley. The highlight of the area is the cherry blossoms in full bloom that flow down the slanting path.During cherry blossom season, lots of food stalls and stores open in the park so one can enjoy the festival spirit.
Super Convenient Google Map List
Worried about getting lost in this massive city? We’ve made a special cherry blossom viewing list on Google Maps! Add the list to your own google maps and enjoy basking in the glory of cherry blossoms.
