Shikoku Region – Famous sakura onsen spots with latest full-bloom forecast, 2020

Photo: Shiudeyama

Shikoku Region

Famous tourist destinations including Oboke and Iya Gorge, as well as renowned hot springs like Dogo Onsen, are also nice spots for viewing beautiful sakura. The scenery of cherry blossoms with Seto Inland Sea’s islands in the background is particularly stunning.

Note

Sakura (Cherry blossoms) start blooming in the south in places like Kyushu, then gradually make their way north, so between the southern and northern parts of Japan the peak viewing seasons are more than a month apart. Sakura bloom at different times depending on how warm it is or how much it rains, so if there are several warm days in a row they will bloom earlier, and vice versa. This means that at times actual bloom times will differ from estimates.
Typically you can enjoy peak viewing for about one week from when they fully bloom.
The estimates for the peak viewing times are made on 9th January, 2020.

Yashima Island (屋島)　[ Map ]

Usual time of full-bloom
From late March to early April

Number of Sakura trees
――

Access　22 min by train from Takamatsu Station (高松駅) to Yashima Station (屋島駅) on JR Kotoku Line, and then 18 min by shuttle bus

Megijima Island Washigamine Observatory (女木島 鷲ヶ峰展望台)　[ Map ]

Usual time of full-bloom
Late March

Number of Sakura trees
3000

Access　20 min by ferry from Takamatsu Port (高松港) to Megijima Port (女木島港), and then 40-min walk to the observatory. A “ogre cave” is on the way.

List of Ryokans in Takamatsu Onsen

Kotohira-gu Shrine (金刀比羅宮)　[ Map ]

Usual time of full-bloom
Late March

Number of Sakura trees
3500

Access　20-min walk from Kotohira Station (琴平駅) on JR Dosan Line

 Asahiyama Forest Park (朝日山森林公園)　[ Map ]

Usual time of full-bloom
Late March

Number of Sakura trees
2000

Access　15-min taxi ride from Takase Station (高瀬駅) on JR Yosan Line

Shiudeyama (紫雲出山)　[ Map ]

Usual time of full-bloom
Early April

Number of Sakura trees
1000

Access　1 hour from Takamatsu Station (高松駅) to Takuma Station (詫間駅) on JR Yosan Line, then 30 min by bus to Ohama (大浜), and an hour walk from there.

* The road to the mountain is congested with traffic in the peak season, so you may need extra time if you come by car.

* This place is also accessible from Takamatsu Onsen.

List of Ryokans in Konpira Onsen

Oboke Station (大歩危駅)　[ Map ]

Usual time of full-bloom
From late March to early April

Number of Sakura trees
――

Access　The nearest station to Oboke Iya Onsen

List of Ryokans in Oboke Iya Onsen

Matsuyama Castle (松山城)　[ Map ]

Usual time of full-bloom
Late March

Number of Sakura trees
200

Access　12 min by Iyotetsu Tram from Dogo Onsen Station (道後温泉駅, the nearest station to Dogo Onsen) to Okaido Station (大街道駅), and then 5-min walk from there

List of Ryokans in Dogo Onsen (Matsuyama)

Photo: Shimanto City Tourism Association

Shimanto Sakurazutsumi Park  (四万十川 桜づつみ公園)　[ Map ]

Usual time of full-bloom
Early April

Number of Sakura trees
――

Access　12-min taxi ride from Nakamura Station (中村駅, the nearest station to Shimanto River Onsen) on Tosa Kuroshio Railway Sukumo Line

List of Ryokans in Shimanto River Onsen