[2025 Yaese Attraction] Travel Guide for Yaese Park (Updated Jul)

This is a short event that is only held during this time of year. It is located on high ground and has a great view, so it feels great on a nice day. The cherry blossoms end in late January to early February, but Yaese Park is a pleasant walking course even at other times of the year. It is one of the places you should definitely visit when driving in the southern part of the prefecture. #cherryblossoms #drive #Okinawa #Yaese #scenery

#Okinawa樱花 Why go to Okinawa to see the cherry blossoms in late January and early February? The early cherry blossoms seen in Okinawa are very different from those seen in Honshu, Japan in March and April, with a richer, pinker color! There are not many famous cherry blossom viewing spots in Okinawa, so the destination for viewing cherry blossoms in Okinawa is very clear. Now let me introduce you to the four famous flower viewing spots in Okinawa: Okinawa Cherry Blossoms｜Flower Viewing Spots Yaese Park｜A famous cherry blossom viewing spot in southern Okinawa Widely known as a popular cherry blossom viewing spot in southern Okinawa, standing in the park you can have a panoramic view of the Kerama Islands and enjoy the southern scenery. There are ~500 bright pink Hikanzakura trees planted in the park, and two rows of cherry trees are planted on the trail, so after they bloom it's like walking into a cherry blossom tunnel! The best time to enjoy the flowers is from late January to early February. The Yaese Cherry Blossom Festival will be held from January 20 to February 2, 2025. During this period, the night cherry blossoms will be lit up from 18:00 to 20:00 every day, illuminating the park stairs. At this time, the night view of Yaese Town from the mountaintop observation deck is very beautiful! Motobu Yaedake｜7000 Kanhi Sakura trees Yaedake is located in Motobu Town in the northern part of Okinawa Prefecture. It is 453.4 meters above sea level and is the second highest mountain on the main island of Okinawa. There are more than 7,000 cherry trees on Yaedake. When they are in full bloom, the scenery is spectacular and it is definitely an unforgettable view! The Yaedake Cherry Blossom Forest Park located in the belly of the mountain is not to be missed! The 2025 Motobu Yaedake Cherry Blossom Festival will be held from January 18th to February 2nd, allowing everyone to enjoy the beauty of cherry blossoms together in a lively atmosphere! Nakijin Castle Ruins｜Charm of Fantasy Night Cherry Blossoms The ancient castle ruins built after the 14th century are one of the World Cultural Heritage Sites and are clearly different from the straight-line Japanese city walls. The large, wave-like curved shape is for defense. The best viewing period in previous years: late January to mid-February. The 2025 Nakijin Castle Cherry Blossom Festival will be held from January 25th to February 2nd. During this period, there will be a night cherry blossom viewing time from 18:00 to 21:00 every day. The dreamy light is reflected on the city wall, and you can enjoy the night cherry blossoms to your heart's content. Nago Castle Park｜Famous Cherry Blossom Festival One of the top 100 cherry blossoms in Japan. There is a 2-kilometer-long pedestrian path and an observation deck, where you can enjoy the view of the 20,000 Ryukyu Kanhizakura trees in full bloom in the park! Follow the trail up to the observation deck on the mountain to appreciate the contrast between the emerald green East China Sea and the bright pink petals, and take in the beautiful views of Nago City and Nago Bay. The night view after sunset is worth seeing. The 2025 Nago Cherry Blossom Festival will be held from January 25th to 26th. The festival will be held near Nago Castle Park, with performances of Okinawan traditional dance エイサー and Ryukyu folk songs.

#OkinawaSakura ✨ Okinawa Sakura Season Timeline Okinawa is the first region in Japan to welcome cherry blossoms. The Kanhizakura are expected to bloom from late January to mid-February. The northern Nago and Kunigami areas will bloom first, and Naha in the south will enter the best viewing period afterwards. Unlike the pale pink cherry blossoms on Honshu, the cherry blossoms on Okinawa are mostly deep red "Kanhi Sakura". The flowers hang down like bells, and against the blue sea and sky, they create a unique tropical atmosphere. 🌺 Must-visit cherry blossom viewing spots 1⃣ Nakijin Castle Ruins Highlights: The collision of world cultural heritage and cherry blossoms! At night, the lights illuminate the stone walls of the ancient city, and the night cherry blossoms and the starry sky interweave into a beautiful picture. Every year during the Cherry Blossom Festival, there are Taigu performances and Ryukyu costume experiences, which make you feel like you have traveled back to the Ryukyu Dynasty. Transportation: Drive from Naha for about 1 hour, or take a bus to the "Nakijin Castle Ruins-mae" stop. Tips: It is recommended to go there in the afternoon, so that you can enjoy the cherry blossoms and sea view during the day, and watch the night cherry blossom light show (18:00-21:00). 2⃣ Yaedake Sakura Forest Park Highlights: 7,000 cherry trees line the mountain path, and from the top of the mountain you can overlook a magnificent panoramic view of the East China Sea and cherry blossoms. There is also the "Yae-dake Cherry Blossom Festival" from mid-February to early March, where you can experience local snacks and handicrafts. Transportation: About 30 minutes by car from Nago City, or take a bus to the "Yae-dake entrance" stop. Photo spot: The observation deck halfway up the mountain, where cherry blossoms and sugarcane fields are framed together, so healing! 3⃣ Manzamo Highlights: An iconic attraction in Okinawa, the cherry blossoms on the cliffs form a sharp contrast with the deep blue sea. The filming location of the Korean drama "It's Okay, That's Love", with a 100% production rate. Transportation: About 40 minutes by car from Naha City, or take a bus to Manzamo Station. Hidden trick: Go early in the morning or evening to avoid the crowds and capture the dreamy moments of cherry blossoms and sunrise/sunset. 🚗 Transportation and practical tips Rent a car and drive: Okinawa has few bus services, so it is recommended to rent a car (with an international driver's license or a translated copy of your driver's license). You can stop at any time along the way to enjoy the cherry blossoms. Transportation card: Suica card is linked to Apple Pay and is accepted at convenience stores and vending machines. Payment: Alipay covers more than 90% of shopping malls and restaurants in Okinawa. It is recommended to carry cash for large purchases. Outfit: Okinawa is warm in winter (15-20℃), so it is recommended to wear a thin coat + floral skirt to make your photos more photogenic! 💡 Recommended niche gameplay Blue Cave Snorkeling: After viewing the cherry blossoms, you can experience the "underwater cherry blossoms". The blue water and the coral reefs complement each other. Even if you can't swim, you can participate. Weather warning: Okinawa occasionally experiences strong winds in January and February. Please check the weather forecast before traveling to avoid affecting your itinerary. 🌟 Itinerary reference 3-Day Tour: Day 1: Naha → Nakijin Castle Ruins (Night Sakura) → American Village (Dinner) Day 2: Yaedake Sakura Forest Park → Manzamo → Blue Cave Snorkeling Day 3: Nago Zoo and Botanical Gardens → Ryukyu Craft Experience → Naha City Shopping The cherry blossom season in Okinawa is an encounter between tropics and romance. Save this guide and enjoy a pink feast in winter! 🌸

#Okinawa Sakura Good Places to Visit in Okinawa: Yaese Park 🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸 A park for cherry blossom viewing in Okinawa. The cherry blossoms in Okinawa bloom from January to February. During the cherry blossom season, the trails are lined with famous cherry trees. The environment is quiet and suitable for flower viewing, which makes you feel relaxed and happy. You can enjoy the cherry blossoms while taking a walk, and it is a good place to take photos. The view from the top of the mountain is breathtaking. 🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸 Address: Tomori, Yaese, Shimajiri District, Okinawa901-0345 901-0402 Japan #OkinawaTravel #Okinawa Free Travel #Okinawa good places

📍 Yae Park | Southern Okinawa When I first arrived at Yaese Park, I felt like I was in the Japanese countryside - there were vegetable gardens on the roadside, the nearby houses were somewhat plain, and some were well-organized large houses. There is a little smell of fertilizer in the air, but there is a very simple atmosphere of life. The sunshine was great and the sky was translucent blue, which reminded me of New Zealand for a moment. The park is not big, and there are not many cherry blossom trees. Most of them are very small trees. The flowers are not blooming densely, but there is a quiet beauty. There is also a small light show of paintings painted by nearby elementary school students, which will be lit from 6-8 pm, with a little childlike warmth. The most lush cherry tree is not actually in the park, but in the courtyard of a certain house. The tree is full of pink flowers, which is particularly attractive. While standing under the tree taking pictures, I heard two elementary school students walking by, looking at the cherry blossoms while exclaiming, “Sakura, it’s so good.” There was a little naive satisfaction in the tone, which made people couldn’t help but smile. It was just after 3pm and the nearby elementary and middle schools were out of school. Two middle school boys in black uniforms zipped under the cherry trees on their bikes. I was recording a video and one of the boys lowered his head a little coyly, and the screen was unexpectedly beautiful. I don't know why, but I feel a little moved. Such a simple moment makes people feel so good. #Okinawa Sakura

At Yaese Park (located in southern Okinawa), I encountered the first wave of cherry blossoms in Okinawa! When I first arrived, I thought I had mistakenly entered the countryside. There were residents growing vegetables around, and there were also grand houses with well-kept gardens. The air was filled with the smell of fertilizer. It was exactly what I imagined the Japanese countryside to be like. The sun was warm and the sky was exceptionally blue. At that moment, I almost thought I was back in New Zealand. This park is small, there are not many cherry blossoms, mostly small trees, and the flowers are not dense. Coincidentally, the park was holding a light show, and all the exhibits were paintings drawn by nearby elementary school students. The lights were turned on from 6 to 8 pm, which was super cute! The most gorgeous cherry tree in the park is actually not in the park, but in the yard of an ordinary house🌲. The flowers are blooming wildly and are very beautiful. While taking photos, I met two cute elementary school students, they were dark, chubby and cute. As they walked, they kept saying, "Cherry blossoms are so beautiful." When I went there, it was around three o'clock, and the nearby primary and secondary schools were just finishing school. Two middle school boys in black uniforms were riding their bicycles past the cherry trees. I was recording the video at the time and one of the boys lowered his head shyly. I somehow feel that all this is so good. In this small piece of heaven and earth, you can feel the tenderness of spring brought by cherry blossoms and the little beauty in ordinary life. #Okinawa Sakura Viewing #Yaese Park #Spring Day Happiness #Okinawa Sakura