When in Japan: Chase the sakura in Kyushu Island

It’s springtime and one of the most awaited phenomena in Japan transpires—the cherry blossoms trumpet their beauty in the most delicate manner. Don’t just take photos of it, join the party! Roll out a mat under the umbrella of pink and white blooms, bite on bento box treats, and raise your beer, or Sake to celebrate nature’s wonder.

The Sakura season is a big thing for the Japanese. It’s the time of the year to observe the quintessential Japanese experience of Hanami (literally translates to “flower viewing” in Japanese and is most commonly associated with cherry blossoms) where friends and family get together for a picnic or party to admire the beauty of the blooms. No matter what the calendar days’ agenda are marked with, there will always be time for Hanami. Why? Because the beauty of Sakura is fleeting with only a few days to bask in its breathtaking charm. Once a cherry tree sprouts its flower buds, it takes seven days for it to reach full bloom and another seven days to flatter us in its full glory before it drops and carpet the grounds with its delicate petals. The end scene is as surreal as the beginning of the flower’s life.

One can’t have enough of these flowers. I know I can’t. Thus, I have been chasing the Sakura since the first spring visit years ago, mostly in the Kanto regions of Honshu, Most recently, in new sites in Kyushu Island.

Fukuoka and Nagasaki are charming bayside cities famous in its own rights: Fukuoka, the “ramen capital” of the nation, is a center of international commerce since ancient times, while Nagasaki has its historic port — the only port in Japan open to foreign trading in the past, sadly, it’s widely known for its nuclear attack. So many stories to tell about these two cities but let’s stick to cherry blossoms. If you find your way to both cities, here are Sakura sites where you can observe Hanami.

While Fukuoka lists several popular spots to view the blooms, I chose three of spots because of its accessibility from Tenjin:

Maizuru Park (Fukuoka Castle Ruins, a national historic site), home to approximately 1,000 cherry trees, is a celebrated cherry blossom destination in the city. The delicate pink and white blooms provide a stark contrast against the Ishigaki, the fortified ancient stone walls of Fukuoka Castle, yet poetically melds natural beauty with history. Climb up the platform where the replica of the Fukuoka Castle stands to catch a stunning view of the Sakura garden with flowers in full bloom. The setting makes for an ideal spot for Hanami during the day— and at night, too, during the Fukuoka Castle Spring Festival when the cherry blossoms are illuminated, transforming the space into a dreamy landscape. With food stalls and music, the festival is liven up.

Nishi Park is nominated as one of Japan's top 100 Sakura spots, and for good reason. The 170,000-square meter park has over 1,300 trees spread across the undulating terrain of the property. The high points of the park doubles the excitement with the offering of panoramic views of downtown Fukuoka, Fukuoka Bay and Shika Island. The young one’s get their treat too at the play area.

Atago Shrine. Minus a private ride, it’s a manageable 10 to 15-minute (from the subway or bus stops) stroll up 68-meter spot in Mt. Atago to reach Fukuoka’s time-honored 72 A.D.-built shrine, but well worth the hike. The oldest shrine in Fukuoka boasts of 2,000 cherry blossoms, and as expected of a mountaintop setting, the shrine opens up to spectacular views over Fukuoka and Hakata Bay.

If time is on your side, visit the other notable spots in the city like Uminonakamichi Seaside Park, Ohori Park, Nokonoshima Island Park, Akizuki Sugi no Baba.

In Nagasaki, I opted to go to a few spots within the city center.

Kazagashira Park came highly recommended by a local. It’s “a few minutes walk” from Shindaiku Machi Station I was told, not knowing that I was up for a challenge as the park that sits atop Mt. Kazeto. The hike on paved pathways through residential areas and a cemetery will be rewarded by a delightful scene that will appease the weary soul and sole.

There may only be about 350 cherry trees within the area, about 152 meters above sea level, but the view of Nagasaki Port, the bay and the city (as breathtaking as what Mt. Inasa on the opposite side of the bay can offer) make everything picture perfect for Hanami, especially at moonrise when the lanterns light up the cherry trees for the Kazagashira Park Cherry Blossom Festival and the cityscape below glows in the blanket of night.

The park is also a famous spot for Hataage (kite flying), 2,500 hydrangeas blooming in early summer and the statue of Sakamoto Ryoma gazing at Nagasaki Bay.

Tateyama Park, with 700 cherry trees, is a perennially popular picnic spot among the locals. Its location on a hilly area straddling Tateyama and Nishiyama makes for a beautiful spot to celebrate Hanami in the city. The cherry trees are strategically planted on terraced hills allowing each level a view overlooking Nagasaki beyond the vision of pink and white blossoms. The view of flowering treetops and beyond is best seen from the observatory. The park playground and multipurpose plaza also attracts sports lovers and children at any time of year.

If time permits, head to Omura Park or Sakura no Sato, both destinations an hour’s travel from downtown Nagasaki.