January–FebruaryKobe Luminarie
Kansai ・ Kobe & Arima Onsen
Usually about 10 days from late January to early February (lit from dusk to around 21:30)
2027 (32nd): Jan 29 – Feb 7
Cherry Blossoms · Kansai
Shukugawa Park (Shukugawa Riverside Green Space)
Nishinomiya, HyogoRiverside🌸 Typical peak: Late Mar – Early Apr✦ Night sakura
Overview
Overview
One of Japan’s Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots, where about 1,300 cherry trees line both banks of the Shukugawa River for about 2.8 km from north to south in Nishinomiya, between Kobe and Osaka. Set in a residential area just a short walk from Hankyu, JR and Hanshin stations, it offers scenery created by pines, cherry blossoms and the river.
- Address
- Shukugawa Riverside Green Space, Nishinomiya, Hyogo
- Official website
- https://www.nishi.or.jp/homepage/hana/sakura/unique/index.php
Peak Time
When to See the Blossoms
Typical peakUsually late March to early April
February
March
April
May
Bloom dates shift with each year’s temperatures. Nishinomiya City sends out bloom updates through its “Ohana Mail” service. The JMA normals for Kobe’s sample tree (Somei-yoshino) are first bloom on Mar 27 and full bloom on Apr 5
Peak times are typical guides. Blooming and full bloom shift with each year’s temperatures.
Highlights
Highlights
About 1,000 Somei-yoshino form the core, along with yamazakura, Oshima-zakura and some rare varieties. There are also Nishinomiya’s own original varieties, “Shukugawa Mai-zakura” and “Nishinomiya Gongendaira-zakura.” During “Sakura Week Nishinomiya” in the cherry blossom season, the avenue around Kurakuenguchi Station is illuminated.
📷 Best views
Cherry avenue along the Shukugawa
A riverside walking path lined with pines and cherry trees for about 2.8 km north to south
Around Kurakuenguchi Station
An avenue of about 400 m illuminated at night during Sakura Week
Illumination
Night illumination
- Period
- Usually during “Sakura Week Nishinomiya” in the cherry blossom season
In 2026: Mar 25–Apr 7, from sunset to 21:00, along about 400 m around Kurakuenguchi Station (Nishinomiya Tourism Association)
Tips
Tips for travelers
- ✓The avenue is right next to the stations, so you can stop by even briefly between sightseeing in Kobe or Osaka
- ✓There are many takeout restaurants nearby, making it ideal for hanami while strolling
Access
Getting there
- Nearest station / bus stop
- Shukugawa Station (Hankyu Kobe Line, Koyo Line)Right by the station
- Sakura-Shukugawa Station (JR Kobe Line)Right by the station
- Koroen Station (Hanshin Main Line)Right by the station
- Kurakuenguchi Station (Hankyu Koyo Line)Right by the station
- By car & traffic restrictions
- No parking nearby. Please use public transportation
Crowds
Crowds & best times
- Quieter times
- According to the Nishinomiya Tourism Association, evenings are relatively less crowded than daytime
Weather
Temperature & what to wear
- Typical temperatures
- Kobe normals: March high 13.5°C, low 6.3°C; April high 18.9°C, low 11.4°C (JMA)
- What to wear & bring
- It’s breezy along the river and cools down in the evening, so bring an extra layer
Rules
Hanami rules & etiquette
- !Drinking parties on picnic sheets with large groups (5 or more people who are not family) are prohibited
- !The section from Hankyu Shukugawa Station to Oide Bridge is closed after 18:00 out of consideration for local residents
- !No smoking anywhere in the park
- !No karaoke, musical instruments, loud music or street performances
- !No motorcycles, riding or parking
- !No selling goods, food or drinks, and no distributing advertising materials
- !There are no trash bins, so take your trash home
- !Do not break cherry branches or trample the roots. Do not enter roped-off areas
- !If there are signs of rising water, such as the river turning muddy, leave the riverbed immediately
Where to Stay · Agoda
Places to Stay near Shukugawa Park (Shukugawa Riverside Green Space)PR
PR7.6ホテルリブマックス 西宮
★★★Check rates on Agoda1,955 reviews1.7 km from center
PR7.8ラッキーサン
★★Check rates on Agoda882 reviews2.8 km from center
PR8.9ホテル竹園芦屋
Check rates on Agoda269 reviews2.1 km from center
PR7.0ホテルユーズ 香櫨園
★★★Check rates on Agoda141 reviews1.2 km from center
PR7.8ホテル 中寿美花壇
★★Check rates on Agoda62 reviews1.9 km from center
Prices and availability are shown on Agoda.
Events
Events & festivals in Kobe & Arima Onsen
January–FebruaryAttractions
Attractions in Kobe & Arima Onsen
AquariumKobe Suma Sea World
Kansai ・ Suma, Kobe
An aquarium with orcas that opened in Suma Beach Park in 2024. Along with orca and dolphin performances, you can enjoy exhibits of all kinds of marine life. It faces the Suma seaside and has an adjoining hotel.
ZooKobe Animal Kingdom
Kansai ・ Port Island, Kobe
A zoo on Kobe's Port Island where you can interact with flowers and animals. Its exhibits bring you close to the animals, including shoebills, capybaras, and alpacas. It has extensive indoor areas and is easy to reach, about 14 minutes from Sannomiya on the Port Liner.
Cherry Blossoms
Cherry Blossoms in Kansai
Park
Temple
ParkMaruyama Park (Gion Shidare-zakura)
Kansai ・ Kyoto City
🌸 Typical peak: Late Mar – Early Apr
✦ Night sakura
Castle
Mountain
Castle
Avenue & old town
Shrine
Temple
Mountain
LakePeak 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
