Matsuyama: Full Bloom

Our first Shikoku cherry blossom report this year is from Matsuyama City, the capital of Ehime Prefecture in western Shikoku. Full bloom was announced on March 30 in the capital city, and I confirmed that the cherry blossoms at the two popular cherry blossom spots in Matsuyama I visited were at their best. While some petals had started to fall, I expect the best viewing to continue through this weekend and into early next week before the blossoms start shedding their petals in larger numbers.

My first stop for today was at Dogo Park, a nice public park adjacent to Dogo Onsen. I found the cherry blossoms here to be at their best viewing and expect the flowers to remain at their best through this coming weekend at the very least. Until April 10, temporary food stalls can be found at Dogo Park, and the cherry trees are illuminated until 22:00.

My next spot was Matsuyama Castle, one of the twelve remaining castles from the feudal period. Cherry trees can be found on the expansive castle grounds, and one of the most popular areas is the space around the main castle keep. I found the cherry blossoms here to be at their best already with some petals falling. Overall, I expect the flowers to remain at their best viewing through this coming weekend and into early next week.

Until April 10, the castle walls and cherry trees around the main castle keep are illuminated from sunset till 20:50.