Marcy MinianoFor those who can’t get enough of travelling to Japan, it’s often a dilemma between which season to visit: spring for the cherry blossoms, or autumn for the gorgeous foliage? Well, would you believe us if we said you can actually have both?
It turns out there’s a way to enjoy these two seasonal attractions — without having to travel twice in a year (although, that wouldn’t be something we’d say no to either). In the Obara district of Toyota, Aichi Prefecture, you can actually spot cherry blossoms in autumn!
Editor’s note: This article was originally published on 19 Nov 2021.
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The only place in Japan that has cherry blossoms in autumn
Image credit: Tourism Toyota Official Instagram Page
So, how is it possible that Obara district can have sakura and autumn leaves at the same time? Well, that’s because it has cherry trees from a rare kind of species called shikizakura that bloom twice a year: once in spring, and again in fall.
The district now has over 10,000 of these special cherry trees, whose second blooming season is typically from early to late November. Lucky for us, this is also when the autumn foliage is most vibrant! They also host the annual Obara Shikizakura Four-Season Cherry Blossom Festival to celebrate this breathtaking phenomenon.
Image credit (L-R): vichie 81 via Canva Pro; Tourism Toyota Official Instagram Page
This year, the festival is taking place from 11 Nov to 30 Nov, and it covers several scenic venues, including Obara Fureai Park and Senmi Shikizakura-no-Sato. Oh, and it’s also for free! We recommend checking out the festival website for updates on each area where you can enjoy cherry blossoms in autumn.
Also read: Cherry Blossom Season: Must-Know Tips & Essentials
FYI — Aichi Prefecture is also home to the recently opened Ghibli Park! Click here for a full list of must-visit new attractions all over Japan.
Consider this your sign to book a trip to the Land of the Rising Sun this fall. Don’t forget to tag @tripzillamag on your Instagram snapshots, along with the hashtag #TripZillaShare!
