Illuminated Miharu Takizakura (Photo: Tadashi Okoshi/CC By SA 2.0)
Illuminated Miharu Takizakura (Photo: Tadashi Okoshi/CC By SA 2.0)
- 3 min read

Japan's Five Great Cherry Blossoms

Discover five sakura trees designated as natural monuments

Did you know that Japan has five trees that are regarded as the country's great cherry blossoms? They were all designated as National Natural Monuments back in 1922, and even the youngest trees on the list are said to be at least 800 years old. If you'd like to inject your sakura season with a little history, here's the rundown!

Miharu Takizakura, Fukushima

Estimates place the age of Fukushima's Miharu Takizakura at somewhere over a thousand years old, and it stands around 12 meters in height with branches spanning 22 meters in parts. The tree attracts several hundred thousand visitors each year, and the best time to catch it in full bloom is from the mid to late April period.

Sakurakubo-115 Taki, Miharu, Tamura District, Fukushima 963-7714

Fukushima's Miharu Takizakura
Fukushima's Miharu Takizakura (Photo: 京浜にけ/CC By SA 3.0)

Ishitokaba Zakura, Saitama

Saitama's Ishitokaba Zakura is one of the youngest entrants on this list, clocking in at a spry 800 years old or thereabouts. Perhaps more interesting than its age is its uniqueness - it's a Kabazakura variety (a naturally formed hybrid of the Edohigan and Yamazakura types), and is said to be the only one in existence. Science at work, centuries ago!

3-119 Tokoji, Ishitoshuku, Kitamoto, Saitama 364-0025

Ishitokaba Zakura, Saitama
Ishitokaba Zakura, Saitama (Photo: Keihin Nike/CC By SA 3.0)

Usuzumi Zakura, Gifu

Gifu's Usuzumi Park is home to the Usuzumi Zakura, a tree that is said to have been planted by Emperor Keitai all the way back in the 6th Century. It has withstood a wide range of natural threats to still stand strong today, and the best time to catch it in full bloom is typically the early to mid April period.

Neoitasho, Motosu, Gifu 501-1524

Usuzumi Sakura, Gifu
Usuzumi Sakura, Gifu (Photo: Alpsdake/CC By SA 4.0)

Shimouma Sakura, Shizuoka

Another relatively youthful entrant on the list, Shizuoka's Shimouma Sakura has origins dating back to 1193. The area surrounding the Shimouma Sakura is known for being filled with vibrant yellow rape flowers during spring, and the contrast it provides to the delicate pink cherry blossoms makes it a must-see.

98-1 Kariyado, Fujinomiya, Shizuoka, 418-0117

Shimouma Sakura in Shizuoka
Shimouma Sakura in Shizuoka (Photo: Keihin Nike/CC By SA 3.0)

Yamataka Jindai Sakura, Yamanashi

Said to be an almost inconceivable 2000 years old, the Jindai Sakura is an Edohigan variety tree, and has weathered some significant (literal) storms to still remain with us today. Though the tree isn't quite as tall as it once was due to those natural threats, it's still around 10 meters in height with a trunk circumference of almost 11 meters.

Yamataka, Mukawa-cho, Hokuto City, 408-0306

Yamataka Jindai Sakura, Yamanashi
Yamataka Jindai Sakura, Yamanashi (Photo: 京浜にけ/CC By SA 3.0)
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Elena Lisina 3 years ago
Amazing trees and people who take care of them!
Elena Lisina 3 years ago
Yes, Kim, I totally agree! I admire the attitude of Japanese people towards nature.
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