Japan] Impressed by the beauty only in spring! 10 recommended single cherry blossom viewing spots

Koiwai Farm, a popular tourist destination in Iwate Prefecture, is home to a lone cherry tree. The cherry tree was planted 100 years ago, in the 40's of Meiji era, when the wave of modernization of Japan arrived in Iwate and the Koiwai Farm was established.
Behind the cherry blossoms stands the majestic Mt. Iwate and the cherry blossoms in full bloom in spring are a spectacular view that can be enjoyed only in Tohoku, where the four seasons of Japan can be experienced up close and personal. During Golden Week, when the cherry blossoms are at their best, the nearest parking lot is open 24 hours a day. You can enjoy the cherry blossoms not only during the daytime but also at night.

Location: 36-1 Maruyachi, Shizukuishi-machi, Iwate-gun, Iwate
Fee: Free of charge
Opening hours: 9:00-17:00
Official website: https://www.koiwai.co.jp/makiba/

The Miharu Takizakura in Fukushima Prefecture is a large cherry tree estimated to be over 1,000 years old. It was the first cherry tree to be designated a national natural monument in 1922. One of the three most famous cherry trees in Japan, the Miharu Waterfall Cherry Blossom lives up to its name with its large branches.
It is 13.5 meters tall, and its branches stretch as high as 14.5 meters at the largest point. When you stand directly below and look up, you will be impressed by its height and magnificent branches. The name "Takizakura" (waterfall cherry blossom) comes from the fact that the blossoms look like a waterfall as they droop downwards. The appearance of the cherry blossoms, which are pretty all the way to the tips of the branches, is just like a waterfall splashing in the air. The Miharu Waterfall Cherry Blossom with a strong presence is a cherry tree that should be seen at least once in one's life.

Location: 115 Kubo, Takizakura, Miharu-cho, Tamura-gun, Fukushima Prefecture
Fee: 300 yen
Lighting hours: 18:00 - 21:00
Official website: https://miharukoma.com/experience/183

Ishidogama-zakura" in Saitama Prefecture is designated as a national natural monument and is one of the five most famous cherry trees in Japan. The tree is said to be about 800 years old, and has been a famous tree since the Edo period (1603-1867). The tree is as tall as 12 meters, and its lovely whitish-pink flowers bloom.
The Ishido Gamazakura, a type of hippocampus cherry, is a hybrid of the Edohigan cherry and the mountain cherry, and is the only one that grows naturally here. The blossoms are rare and can only be seen here in the whole world, and since they are at their best in early April, visitors can enjoy viewing them later in the season than the more common Someiyoshino cherry trees.

Location: Precincts of Tokoji Temple, 3-119 Ishidoyado, Kitamoto City, Saitama Prefecture
Fee: Free of charge

The "Yamataka Jindai-zakura" in Yamanashi Prefecture is said to be about 2,000 years old and is one of the three most famous cherry trees in Japan. Although its branches have been broken and its trunk damaged by natural disasters many times, it still shows us beautiful cherry blossoms in spring. The cherry tree is about 10 meters tall, and its large branches facing eastward give off a sense of the power of life.
The "Yamataka Jindai-zakura" is located on the grounds of Jisso-ji Temple. In addition to the "Yamataka Jindai-zakura," there are five other cherry trees planted in Jisso-ji Temple. Among them are two of Japan's three most famous cherry trees, the Miharu Takizakura and the Awamokuzakura, which are the offspring of the Miharu Takizakura and the Awamokuzakura. Enjoy the beautiful cherry blossoms at Jisso-ji Temple, where you can see many different types of cherry trees.

Location: 2763 Yamataka, Mukawa-cho, Hokuto City, Yamanashi Prefecture
Fee: Free of charge
Official website: https://www.jindaizakura.com/

There is also a single cherry tree in Rikugien Garden in Tokyo. The weeping cherry tree, which is at its best at the end of March, produces lovely pale pink flowers. The weeping cherry tree, which will be in full bloom at the end of March, has many small flowers on its weeping branches, reminding one of a waterfall.
During the week in late March, when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, the garden is illuminated at night. Projection mapping using the walls of the storehouse and other Rikugien landmarks will also be lit up, making this a spot that can be enjoyed both day and night.

Location: 6-16-3 Hon-Komagome, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo
Material: 300yen for adults / No material for elementary school students and below
Opening hours: 9:00-17:00
Official website: https://www.tokyo-park.or.jp/park/format/index031.html

The "Kariyado no Geba-Zakura" in Shizuoka Prefecture is one of the five most famous cherry trees in Japan. It is said that Yoritomo Minamoto, the founder of the Kamakura shogunate, tied his horse under this cherry tree on his way to hunt. The name "Shimoma-zakura" comes from the fact that he tied his horse to the tree. The tree is more than 800 years old, as an anecdote from the Kamakura period (1185-1333) remains.
Behind the "Geba-Zakura of Karijuku" remains the gate of the place where Minamoto no Yoritomo stayed when he went hunting. The gate with its kayabuki roof evokes a nostalgic feeling. The collaboration of the cherry blossoms and the kayabuki roof is a spectacular view that can only be seen in Karijuku.

Location: 98-1 Karishuku, Fujinomiya City, Shizuoka Prefecture
Fee: Free of charge
Official website: https://www.surugawan.net/guide/21.html

The "Neodani Awamoku-zakura" in Gifu Prefecture is one of the three most famous cherry trees in Japan, along with the "Miharu-takizakura" and the "Yamataka Jindai-zakura". The cherry tree is said to be over 1,500 years old and stands 17.3 meters tall, overwhelming visitors with its grandeur. The pale pink buds turn pure white when in full bloom, and turn pale black when they fall, hence the name "Awamoku-zakura" (meaning "light-ink cherry blossom").
The cherry blossoms bloom later than other cherry trees, as they are at their best from early April to mid-April, and although they have nearly withered many times in their 1,500-year history, you can feel the power of nature in the beautiful blossoms that have overcome many hardships.

Location: Neo Itadokoro, Honzu City, Gifu Prefecture
Fee: Free of charge
Official website: https://www.kankou-gifu.jp/spot/detail_921.html

Matabeizakura" in Nara Prefecture is a weeping cherry tree 300 years old. The cherry tree stands on top of a two-tiered stone wall and has large branches with blossoms that almost touch the ground. After the Matabeizakura, there are other types of cherry trees in bloom, and the gradation between the light pink Matabeizakura and the dark pink cherry trees is very beautiful.
Underneath the Matabei Cherry Blossoms are rice paddies, which bloom with yellow rape blossoms in the spring. The spectacular view created by the rape blossoms and cherry blossoms, a springtime tradition, is well worth seeing.

Location: 714-1, Oyutaka Gosei, Uta-shi, Nara
Fee: 100 yen
Official website: https://www.uda-kankou.jp/feature/293

The Daigo Cherry Blossom stands quietly on a hill in the satoyama area of Okayama Prefecture. It is said to be 1,000 years old, and was named "Daigo Zakura" after Emperor Godaigo, who saw and admired this cherry tree at the end of the Kamakura period (1185-1333). The 18-meter-high Daigo cherry tree stands quietly in the mountains, creating a mysterious atmosphere.
The cherry blossoms are at their best from early to mid-April and are illuminated during the blooming period. The collaboration of the beautiful starry sky and the cherry blossoms floating in the dark night is a fantastic and beautiful sight. The atmosphere is different from that of the daytime, so you can enjoy two different faces of "Daigo cherry blossoms.

Location：2277 Bessho, Maniwa-shi, Okayama
Fee: Free of charge
Lighting hours: 18:30 - 21:00
Official website: https://www.okayama-kanko.jp/spot/11371

The Isshin Gyo no Oozakura (Great Cherry Blossom) in Kumamoto Prefecture is a large, 400-year-old cherry tree. It is located in Aso, a popular tourist destination in Kumamoto, and is a symbol of Minamiaso Village. Rape blossoms bloom around the Isshin Gyo no Oozakura, and the mountains of Aso loom in the background. The magnificent "Isshin Gyo no Oozakura," the field of rape blossoms, and Mount Aso rising up in a plume of smoke are like a beautiful painting created by nature.
The cherry blossoms are at their best from late March to early April, and a cherry blossom festival is held in conjunction with the blooming. Food shops and stalls featuring delicious Aso ingredients line the streets. This is a cherry blossom spot where you can experience the rich nature of Aso in its entirety.

Location: 3226-1, Nakamatsu, Minamiaso-mura, Aso-gun, Kumamoto Prefecture
Fee: Free of charge
Official website: https://kumamoto.guide/spots/detail/10228

We have introduced 10 places in Japan where you can see the single cherry tree. The long-established Ipponzakura trees have long been a part of Japan's spring season, and their life force can be felt in the fact that they are rooted to a single spot and have survived for a long time alone. Let's enjoy the beautiful cherry blossoms and feel the noble power of Ipponzakura.