2010/11/19 - Autumn Color Report: Sakurayama
Today I visited Sakurayama Park in Fujioka City, Gunma Prefecture, about 100 kilometers north of Tokyo. With its 7000 trees, Sakurayama ("cherry mountain") is arguably Japan's most famous spot for winter cherries, an unconventional cherry tree variety that blooms during the winter.
Winter cherry trees in Sakurayama Park
The blossoms of the winter cherries around Sakurayama Park typically start to open around October and reach full bloom around November and December. As a result, cherry blossoms and autumn foliage can be enjoyed there at the same time!
Walking trail to the summit of Sakurayama
Today, the cherry trees were just about reaching full bloom. Because winter cherries carry considerably fewer flowers than their spring flowering cousins, they do not look as intensive even at full bloom. Nevertheless, they provided an intriguing contrast to the park's autumn colors.
Observation point along the trail to the summit
Near the parking lot of Sakurayama Park there is a Japanese style garden with a pond and numerous maple trees, which are currently at the peak of their seasonal beauty. The garden gets lit up every night from November 1 until December 12, 2010 from 16:00 to 21:00.
Japanese garden near the parking lot
From the garden, a walking trail leads to the summit in about ten minutes. Along the way and from the summit, there are nice views over the cherry tree covered slopes and of the surrounding mountains. Many people were enjoying the good weather and the peak of the cherry blossoms and autumn colors with unseasonable hanami picnics.
View from the summit
Unfortunately, public transportation to Sakurayama Park is time consuming and complicated. Outside the peak of the winter cherry blossom season (mid November to mid December) it is even non existent. The closest train stations are Shinmachi Station along the JR Takasaki Line (16 kilometers away) and Tansho Station along the JR Hachiko Line (10 kilometers away).
Maple leaves in front of a waterfall
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