Naga River Cherry Blossoms

Overview

The Naga River Cherry Blossoms are a beautiful sightseeing spot in Matsuzaki-cho, Shizuoka Prefecture, featuring over 1,200 cherry trees lining the Naga River. The cherry blossom avenue stretches 6km from the river's mouth to Ōsawa Onsen. Well-maintained walking paths and jogging courses make it a popular destination in spring. The Naga Bypass, in particular, is lined with approximately 220 cherry trees along its 1.4km length, creating a magical cherry blossom tunnel in conjunction with the riverside scenery. The history of the Naga River cherry blossoms dates back to the late 1950s (Showa 30s). Local residents began by planting 100 yama-zakura (wild cherry) saplings, grown from seeds sown in their home gardens, along a 500m stretch downstream from Kenkūji Bridge. Later, people from the Naga district added Someiyoshino cherry trees, leading to the current magnificent cherry blossom avenue. Since 1992 (Heisei 4), the cherry blossoms have been illuminated at night. During the peak blooming season (late March to mid-April), approximately a 900m section is lit up from 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM, offering a magical atmosphere distinct from the daytime view. In spring, the Naga River Cherry Blossoms offer a breathtaking spectacle of blossoms harmonizing with the river scenery. The area also boasts beautiful autumn foliage, making it a popular spot throughout the year. Matsuzaki-cho is blessed with a warm climate and abundant nature. In addition to the Naga River Cherry Blossoms, there are many other sightseeing spots to explore. We encourage you to visit Matsuzaki-cho!