Cherry blossom and red maples at the same time, on the same hillside – a combination you can only get from a tree that flowers twice a year.
Overview
Sakurayama Park in Fujioka holds about 7,000 fuyuzakura, winter-flowering cherries designated a national place of scenic beauty and natural monument. They bloom from November into December, overlapping with the autumn foliage, and the buds that do not open in winter flower again in April.
The park covers 47 hectares of prefectural forest and city parkland, with a formal strolling garden built from 1,500 tonnes of local Sanba stone at the foot of the climb.
When and where
Autumn colour peaks from late October to mid or late November, and the winter cherries from mid-November into early December, so the overlap in mid-to-late November is the best time to visit. Fujioka City runs evening light-ups through the season, and the Sakurayama Matsuri is held in early December.
The city publishes the exact light-up weekends and festival date each autumn, so check before setting out.
Getting there
From JR Takasaki, take the Hachiko line to Gunma-Fujioka, then a taxi – there is no direct bus. Most visitors drive: allow around 30 minutes from the Fujioka junction area. Satellite navigation tends to route cars onto narrow mountain roads, so follow the signposts for Sakurayama Park once you reach the Onishi area.
What to expect
A hillside walk rather than an event with a programme.
- About 7,000 winter cherry trees, a national scenic beauty and natural monument
- Autumn maples colouring at the same time on the same slopes
- Evening light-up of the trees during the season
- A pond-and-stream strolling garden built with Sanba stone
- A walking trail to the summit lookout, one to two hours round trip
Tickets and admission
Free to enter the park; parking may be charged on festival days. Paths to the summit are unpaved, so proper shoes are needed. Facilities are limited, so bring what you need.
Tips for visitors
Mid to late November gives you both blossom and foliage; go earlier and you get leaves only, later and you get blossom only. Weekday visits are much quieter than the light-up weekends. Fujioka is close to the Tomioka Silk Mill, a World Heritage site, if you want a second stop.
Access and map
| Dates | November to early December 2026 (light-up weekends announced by the city) |
|---|---|
| Venue | Sakurayama Park, Fujioka, Gunma |
| Access | Gunma-Fujioka station then taxi, or by car |
| Admission | Free (parking may be charged) |
| Official site | Fujioka City |
Source: Fujioka City official site
Image: Photo: Photo by David J. Stang / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
