Cherry Blossom Viewing at Kintai Bridge

The most anticipated and the most gorgeous season has arrived!! If you plan to visit Japan, mark this in your bucket list because cherry blossom season is just too beautiful to miss out on.

In Japan, family or friends would gather together during end of March or beginning of April to do 花見/hanami/cherry blossom viewing. Because cherry blossom or in Japanese 桜/sakura only last about a week, it is important to check sakura forecast websites to see when is the best time that it is full bloomed. Which makes it convenient to those that want to visit a specific location that might be far away. All my years living in Kanagawa prefecture, I would always miss out on full bloomed cherry blossoms due to busy schedule. So the time that I would go is either too early before they bloom or too late where the sakura have already fallen. This time I just had to make sure that I catch them fully bloomed and I was able to see them!

Doing a little research I have learned that Kintai Bridge located in Yamaguchi Prefecture is considered to the best spot to do hanami. And so this was the location I went.

I just couldn’t handle my excitement, I could see the cherry blossoms across the bridge and wow! this bridge is massive! Sometimes it would rain heavily during this season so I was very lucky to have a beautiful spring day.

Years ago, my mother would make bento lunch boxes and take my sister and I to do hanami, so I wanted to continue this tradition. Picnic under the pink color trees is just amazing and peaceful. I would recommend adding this activity while watching cherry blossoms. Depending on the location especially in the city, finding picnic spots are hard to find because usually people would set camp early in the morning. And so keep in mind if you want to try picnic under the trees, plan your set up ahead of time. Luckily Kintai Bridge was not as busy as I expected so finding a spot was not too difficult.

Here I walked to different location where there were small sakura trees that are planted. It’s so cute. It’s amazing to see how the area was covered in pink! Then the sun is setting and the sky is getting darker. Food stands are getting busier and I wanted to munch on something.

Food stands usually have french fries, 焼きそば/yakisoba/fried noodles, fried chicken, drinks, and more. If you are getting hungry at night you can eat at the food stand where their price usually ranges from 300yen to 700yen per food.

I bought もち/mochi/rice cake from the food stand and it was chewy and the sweet sauce just made it so gooood.

Even when it gets dark, you can enjoy sakura at night. Cherry Blossoms that are illuminated at night are called 夜桜/yozakura. This is actually the first time I have ever enjoyed cherry blossoms at night! I didn’t know how magical it is in evening time.

I love the message I see right here, it says “コロナに負けるな/Corona ni makeruna” meaning “Don’t lose to Corona.” Definitely needed a positive reminder during the tough year we all have had.

If you plan to visit Japan, definitely visit during cherry blossom season so you can enjoy both day and night. You can visit anywhere in Japan for cherry blossoms, but the location at Kintai Bridge just made it a truly magical experience.

All in all, this whole experience was Kawaii (Cute) and Oshare (Stylish)♡

❀❀❀Want to visit here? Let me help you!❀❀❀

Train
1. Arrive to Iwakuni Station
2. Take the Bus to Kintai Bridge (15min/300yen one-way)
3. To cross over the Kintai Bridge (admission fee Adults-310yen/Children-260yen)

Map
https://goo.gl/maps/ytmiKCXKMPxQp7sv6

Website links
Kintai Bridge (English Website)
http://kintaikyo.iwakuni-city.net/en/
Cherry Blossom Forecast
https://www.japan-guide.com/sakura/