Two of the most popular times of year to visit Japan are during spring for the cherry blossoms, and during autumn for spectacular fall foliage. If you find yourself wishing there was a way to merge the seasons and enjoy both of them at once, Mother Nature has you covered in Aichi Prefecture.
The Four Seasons Cherry Blossom Festival is an annual event in the town of Obara, and it typically runs from mid to late November. This part of Japan is home to around 10,000 shikizakura trees which are famous for blooming not just in spring, but in autumn, too.
The event is held at multiple venues including the Obara Fureai Park, the grounds of the Obara Paper Art Museum, and Senmi Shikizakura no Sato, where the combination of soft pink blossoms and vibrant red leaves creates a dreamlike scene.
The venues are all around 5 minutes drive away from each other, but they're also walkable if you'd rather stretch your legs and enjoy the autumn weather.
Getting there
The region is easiest to reach by private vehicle. Parking is available on-site:
Obara Fureai Park - space for 175 cars at a cost of ¥ 500
Obara Paper Art Museum - space for 105 vehicles, free of charge
Senmi Shikizakura-no-Sato Park - space for 70 cars at a cost of ¥ 500
Kim Bergström @kim.b
Almost 12 years living in Asia. Passionate about Japan's off-the-beaten-path spots, family-friendly travel, flower events (all of them!) and the amazing tea culture here. 🍵🌼🌸
