If you visit Nagano prefecture in the spring, you should see the beautifully blooming cherry blossoms. Takayama Village, which can be accessed within an hour from JR Nagano Station, still retains its rich natural landscape and original scenery, and is renown as a famous place for cherry blossoms, being known as "the Village of Weeping Cherry Blossoms".
In this article, we will introduce the best time to see the cherry blossoms in Takayama and the Shinshu Takayama Sakura Festival, which you should definitely participate in during the cherry blossom season.
What kind of place is Takayama Village in Nagano Prefecture?
Takayama Village is a small village with a population of about 7,000, located in the northeastern part of Nagano Prefecture, about 20 km from Nagano City. It can be reached from JR Nagano Station in about 50 minutes by train or bus, and is known as "Shinshu Takayama Onsenkyo" because it is dotted with eight hot springs. It is also a healing hot spring resort loved by many Japanese who visit for hot springs.
About 85% of Takayama village is covered by forests and wilderness, and most of the forest areas are designated as Joshin'etsu Kogen National Park. In addition, Takayama Village was officially approved for membership at the extraordinary general meeting of "The Association of the Most Beautiful Villages" held in Shirakawa Village, Gifu Prefecture on September 27, 2010, and the original sceneries of Yamada Ranch, Matsukawa Valley, etc. are also highly evaluated.
When is the best time to see the cherry blossoms in Takayama Village, Nagano Prefecture?
If you want to see the cherry blossoms in Takayama, mid-April is recommended. If we look at the blooming days in previous years, cherry blossoms generally bloom in the first and second weeks of April, and most of the time they reach full bloom from the middle to the end of April.
Furthermore, the "Shinshu Takayama Sakura Festival" is held every year from mid-April to late April to coincide with the full bloom season. There are many events such as "Sakura Tour Trekking", "Sakura Illumination", and "Agricultural Products Direct Sales Office" around the village, so it will be even more enjoyable if you visit for the Sakura Festival. (However, in 2022, only trekking will be carried out to prevent the spread of COVID-19)
"Shinshu Takayama Five Great Cherry Blossoms" that you should definitely see in Takayama Village, Nagano Prefecture
There are about 20 weeping cherry trees in Takayama Village, half of which are over 200 years old. One of the features is that the best time to see is rather long because the altitude difference in the village is large.
Of particular note are the five lone cherry blossoms called the "Shinshu Takayama Five Great Cherry Blossoms," including the "Tsuboi's Weeping Cherry Blossom" which is estimated to be over 600 years old and has a trunk circumference of about 8 meters, the "Mizunaka's Weeping Cherry Blossom", the "Kurobe's Edohigan Cherry Blossom", the "Akawakannon's Weeping Cherry Blossom" and the "Nakashio's Weeping Cherry Blossom". When these cherry blossoms are in full bloom, the village is crowded with many photographers and is in the limelight as one of the leading "weeping cherry blossom villages" in Japan. From here, let's take a look at the characteristics of each of the "Shinshu Takayama Five Great Sakura".
Tsuboi's Weeping Cherry Blossom
The longest-living cherry blossom tree in Takayama Village, estimated to be over 600 years old. A Tangible Cultural Property designated by Takayama Village.
- Address: 4117 Oaza-Nakayama, Takayama-mura, Kamitakai-gun, Nagano
Mizunaka's Weeping Cherry Blossom
Located in the precincts of Kashima Shrine, it is well known as a film location. Also known as "Kashima's Weeping Cherry Blossom".
- Address: 1259-1 Oaza-Takai, Takayama-mura, Kamitakai-gun, Nagano
Akawakannon's Weeping Cherry Blossom
A cherry blossom with a history of more than 200 years below the Akawa Kannon Hall. If you go up the stone steps in the back about 150 steps, you will find the Kannon Hall with a red roof on the mountainside.
- Address: 2514-3 Oaza-Takai, Takayama-mura, Kamitakai-gun, Nagano
Kurobe's Edohigan Cherry Blossom
An old cherry tree over 500 years old, standing quietly in the countryside on a hill. It was split in two by a lightning strike, one of the main trunks extending vertically and the other diagonally.
- Address: 3740 Oaza-Takai, Takayama-mura, Kamitakai-gun, Nagano
Nakashio's Weeping Cherry Blossom
Weeping cherry tree of Edohigan variety, estimated to be 150 years old. It blooms the earliest among the five major cherry blossoms in Takayama.
- Address: 4758-4 Oaza-Nakayama, Takayama-mura, Kamitakai-gun, Nagano
"Shinshu Takayama Sakura Festival" to be held from late April
If you want to fully enjoy the cherry blossoms, we recommend that you include the "Shinshu Takayama Sakura Festival" that is held during the cherry blossom season into your list.
In "Sakura Tour Trekking", there are courses such as "Five Great Cherry Trees Tour Course" that go around "Shinshu Takayama Five Great Cherry Trees", and "Full Bloom Sakura Tour Course" where you can enjoy the cherry blossoms by themes. Even if you are visiting Takayama for the first time, you can appreciate the eye-pleasing cherry blossoms while enjoying the nature of the village. In addition, the weeping cherry blossoms light-up event, stamp rallies, and sales of local agricultural products will be held, so there are plenty of contents that are irresistible not only for those who like cherry blossoms but also for those who like local Japan!
Spot Information
- Name: Takayama Village
- Address: Takayama-mura, Kamitakai-gun, Nagano
- Access:
- [From Tokyo]
Tokyo Station → [JR Hokuriku Shinkansen] (about 1 hour and 20 minutes) → Nagano Station → [Nagano Electric Railway] (about 30 minutes) → Suzaka Station → [Route bus or taxi] → Takayama Village - [From Nagoya]
Nagoya Station → [JR Chuo Nishi Line] (Limited Express 2 hours 50 minutes) → Nagano Station → [Nagano Electric Railway] (about 30 minutes) → Suzaka Station → [Route bus or taxi] → Takayama Village
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