A Morning Stroll at Nishi Park, Fukuoka on a Sakura Season

We spent a weeklong vacation in Southern Japan last year in 2023 from late March to early April and spent a morning to enjoy the Sakura season specifically at Nishi Park, Fukuoka. This park is recognized as one of the top 100 places in Japan to enjoy the Sakura season.

Fukuoka is located at the Southern part of Japan, about 13 hours away by car and about 5 hours away by bullet train from Tokyo. In our case, we flew by airplane from Manila, Philippines for about 5 hours non-stop.

We were immediately awed by the immaculate beauty of large white cherry blossom trees in full bloom lining up the pathway at the park’s entry way. Some of the blossoms were falling gently along the pavement and on passer-by’s, reminding me of romantic Japanese and Korean series and movies. Along the way there were occasional islands of other blooming flowers. There were plenty of benches where in one we sat briefly to admire the surrounding cherry blossoms and other flowers all in bloom.

After a few hours of walking and taking pictures and videos of the flowers, we inevitably felt hungry by lunch time. Thankfully there was a yearly food festival at an open field not far from Nishi Park. There were food stalls and trucks, and vending machines, that offered variety of Japanese and American foods and drinks. I shared a large plate of Okonomiyaki with my mom at the open field. Then, for dessert, I went to a nearby vending machine. There, I enjoyed my matcha-flavored-ice cream under a blooming cherry blossom tree. That was my first Hanami moment in Japan.

The weather was still cool during our stay that a layer of coat was a must-have when going around. My advise: for some who are allergic to flowers and plants, it will be wise to take an anti-allergy medication before visiting these parks to control the sneezing and runny nose and make the experience enjoyable.

It was such a romantic experience to appreciate the Sakura season in one of the most popular sites in Japan. I definitely recommend making the effort to see Japan at its most blooming season!