Let’s Go to Fukuoka Castle Sakura Festival for Hanami!

Overview of the Fukuoka Castle Sakura Festival

The Fukuoka Castle Sakura Festival is a cherry blossom viewing event held every spring at Maizuru Park in Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City. Approximately 1,000 cherry trees around Fukuoka Castle create a beautiful avenue of cherry blossoms, delighting visitors. The festival is held to coincide with the cherry blossoms’ blooming period, making it one of Fukuoka’s premier hanami (flower viewing) events where you can feel the arrival of spring. It attracts many people from both inside and outside Fukuoka City, creating a lively atmosphere.

Visitors taking photos.
Rows of cherry blossom trees.

Venue information

 The venue for the Fukuoka Castle Sakura Festival spreads throughout the area surrounding Fukuoka Castle in Maizuru Park. Bicycle parking is available near the venue and inside, making it accessible by bike. However, during busy times, entering with a bicycle may be challenging. In that case, it’s recommended to park at the nearby “Saikapark Akasaka Bicycle Parking Lot” and walk to the entrance. Details on access, parking, and bicycle parking are available on the official website and event information, so it’s recommended to check in advance.

Information board from the 2023 event. *Not for the current year.
The atmosphere of the food stalls and square (photo from 2023).
The atmosphere of the plaza inside the venue (photo from 2023).
A bicycle parking area is also available inside the venue (photo from 2023).

Saikapark Akasaka Bicycle Parking Lot

Festival Dates and Hours

The Fukuoka Castle Sakura Festival typically lasts for about 1 to 10 days, depending on the blooming period of the cherry blossoms. This year, the 2024 festival will be held from March 27th to April 7th. The gourmet area is open from 11:00 to 22:00 (last order at 21:30), and the special paid light-up event is from 18:00 to 22:00 (entry until 21:45), so be sure to visit accordingly.

The allure of nighttime cherry blossoms

At the Fukuoka Castle Sakura Festival, the cherry blossoms are illuminated at night, creating a fantastical atmosphere. There are many spots where you can enjoy the nighttime cherry blossoms, making it ideal for an evening stroll.

Night Cherry Blossoms
Night Cherry Blossoms
Night Cherry Blossoms

Summary of Fukuoka Castle Sakura Festival

At the Fukuoka Castle Sakura Festival, there are also food stalls, events, and live performances. You can enjoy local gourmet food and events while enjoying the cherry blossoms. Additionally, there are Fukuoka Castle and parks nearby, so it’s also nice to stroll around while enjoying the cherry blossoms. In the evening, you can enjoy the fantastic atmosphere of the cherry blossoms at night. This year, why not fully enjoy spring in Fukuoka at the Fukuoka Castle Sakura Festival?

LocationMaizuru Park
Event PeriodMarch 27th to April 7th, 2024
Gourmet Area Opening Hours11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (Last order at 9:30 p.m.)
Paid Illumination Operating Hours6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. (Last entry at 9:45 p.m.)
Fee for Paid Illumination600 yen per venue, 1,500 yen for a set of 3 venues
Access8-minute walk from Ohori Koen or Akasaka Stations on the Fukuoka City Subway Kuko Line

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CAPTCHA