Rising atop a hill in the center of Matsuyama, Matsuyama Castle, one of Japan’s 12 surviving original castle keeps, is one of Shikoku’s best-known cherry blossom spots. From the Honmaru Square on the summit you can see the keep and cherry blossoms together, and at Shiroyama Park (Horinouchi area) at the foot of the hill you can enjoy night sakura.
Blooming depends heavily on natural conditions such as temperature. With early and late-blooming varieties, you can also enjoy blossoms before and after the peak
Peak times are typical guides. Blooming and full bloom shift with each year’s temperatures.
Most of the approximately 200 cherry trees are Somei-yoshino, but there are also early-blooming Tsubaki-kanzakura and late-blooming Oshima-zakura, Shiogama-zakura and Botan-zakura, so you can enjoy cherry blossoms over a relatively long period. The Honmaru Square is lively with hanami visitors.
A summit square with cherry blossoms spreading out before the castle keep
A square at the foot of the hill illuminated for “Yozakura no Yube” (Night Sakura Evenings)
Held from Mar 20 to around Apr 12 in 2026
Last entry 30 min before closing. Until 17:30 in August, until 16:30 in December–January
Hours for February–July and September–November
Hours can change during the cherry blossom season and for events. Check the official website before you go.
Prices may change. Check the official website before you go.
PR9.3
PR9.2
PR9.1
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PR9.2
PR8.6Prices and availability are shown on Agoda.
OctoberChugoku & Shikoku ・ Matsuyama & Dogo Onsen
Every year October 5–7 (Yoimiya on the 5th, main festival on the 6th, Honmiya on the 7th; the hachiawase in front of Dogo Onsen Station is early in the morning of the 7th)
2026: Oct 5 (Mon) – Oct 7 (Wed); hachiawase in front of Dogo Onsen Station early in the morning of the 7th
ZooChugoku & Shikoku ・ Tobe, Ehime
An Ehime Prefecture-run zoo in Tobe, about 20 minutes by car from central Matsuyama. Under the concept A Zoo Full of Everyone's Smiles, it keeps many animals, including polar bears, African elephants, Malayan tapirs, sea lions, and flamingos. Admission is an affordable ¥600 for adults.
Famous single treeChugoku & Shikoku ・ Maniwa, Okayama
🌸 Typical peak: Late Mar – Early Apr
CastleChugoku & Shikoku ・ Izumo & Matsue
🌸 Typical peak: Late Mar – Early Apr
Castle
ParkPeak periods, hours, prices and access are based on official sources such as the spot’s own website, local governments and tourism associations. Bloom conditions and event details can change, so check the official website before you go.
Last checked: 2026-10-06
