Fukuoka: Just Opened

The opening of the first blossoms in Fukuoka was announced on March 27, and I visited the city today, one day after the official announcement. Judging from the minuscule number of open mainstream Somei Yoshino blossoms at the three popular cherry blossoms spots in Fukuoka I visited today, it is without a doubt that the first blossoms have, indeed, only just opened. Given the warmer than average and sunny weather forecast for the next five days, I predict an explosion of blossoms in the coming weekend and the best viewing to start from the first half of next week.

Elsewhere in Japan, Nagoya and Matsue have also announced the opening of their first blossoms today. Due to the higher temperatures forecast for tomorrow and the following few days, I expect many cities to announce the opening of their first blossoms over the next couple of days.

My first stop in Fukuoka was the Fukuoka Castle Ruins, a short walk from either Akasaka or Ohori Koen stations on the subway line. The main spots to see cherry trees in the castle ruins are the sakura garden at the base of the castle keep ruins and the approximately 150 meter long passageway along the castle walls that is lined with about 20 weeping cherry trees. I found only a handful of open blossoms, but more cherry blossoms look on target to open by this weekend. Consequently, I expect the best viewing to start by the first half of next week.

Until April 7, there is a sakura festival held in the grounds of the castle ruins. Festival food and drink stalls are located in the spacious lawns adjacent to the castle ruins, and three sections of the castle ruins are illuminated in the evenings from 18:00 to 22:00 (admission until 21:45). Admission into the illuminated sections cost 600 yen for one spot and 1500 yen to enter all three.

About 10-15 minutes on foot from the Fukuoka Castle Ruins is Nishi Park, one of Japan's top 100 cherry blossom spots. The park boasts more cherry trees compared to Fukuoka Castle Ruins, and turns into a sakura wonderland when the flowers bloom. There were only a few open blossoms during my visit today, but like the castle ruins, I expect more cherry blossoms to open by the weekend, and predict the best viewing to start in the first half of next week. Until April 7, there is a sakura festival at Nishi Park from 10:00 to 22:00.

From Nishi Park, I took a bus to the Momochi Seaside Park to take a ferry across Hakata Bay to Uminonakamichi Seaside Park, a sprawling national park on a peninsula in the bay. Seasonal flowers can be seen in the park, and there is an aquarium and a small zoo as well. On my visit today, I found that the mainstream Somei Yoshino cherry trees had just opened, but the early flowering Oshima cherry trees were at their best viewing. In addition to cherry blossoms, nemophila, rapeseed flowers, tulips and poppies can be seen at the park. I expect more cherry blossoms to open by this weekend, and the best viewing to start from the first half of next week.