Cherry Blossoms Reach Full Glory in Japan’s Takato Castle Park; Peak Comes Week Earlier Than Last Year

The Yomiuri Shimbun

13:15 JST, April 4, 2026

INA, Nagano — About 1,500 cherry trees reached full blossom at Takato Castle Park in Ina, Nagano Prefecture, on Friday, drawing many visitors to what are often described as “the finest sakura in Japan.”

The trees are named Takato-kohigan zakura, a species endemic to the park. Their flowers are characterized by their smaller size and deeper reddish hue than the main Someiyoshino species.

The park’s cherry blossoms reached their peak eight days earlier than last year. Following several days of bad weather since the flowers started blooming on March 28, Friday’s sunny sky brought many visitors to stroll the former castle site.

The flowers in full bloom can be enjoyed for less than a week, depending on the weather, according to the municipal government.