Written by Alexandra Ziminski
The highlight of this Mount Fuji cherry blossom festival is the classic image of Japan you may see in guidebooks or blogs — Chūreitō Pagoda, cherry blossoms, and Fuji.
Also check out the cherry blossom festival on the north shore of Kawaguchiko.
What happens?
The Arakurayama Sengen Park Cherry Blossom Festival takes place from early to mid-April each year, depending on the cherry blossom forecast. Note that while this is an easy day trip from Tokyo, the sakura will bloom around a week or two later than the capital.
The park has numerous cherry trees, including a few around Arakura Fuji Sengen Shrine at the entrance. Still, the majority can be once you’ve climbed 400 steps on the way to Chūreitō Pagod and the observation deck. There is also a winding slope that goes up and down. Along with the cherry blossoms, there are food and craft stalls.
Arakurayama Sengen Park Observation Deck
During the cherry blossom festival, you must queue to get on the observation deck that has the iconic view. Depending on when you arrive (earlier is better) or if it’s a weekend, this can last from 15 minutes to two hours. We started lining up around 9:30 a.m. on a weekday during full bloom and waited around 15 minutes. Luckily while you wait, you can see Mount Fuji and the canopy of many cherry trees. You’ll be led in on the platform in a big group and have five minutes to take your photos before an announcement kicks you off. The platform is wide and spacious with tiered steps, so everyone is guaranteed a good photo.
How to get there
The closest train station to Arakurayama Sengen Park and the Chūreitō Pagod is Shimoyoshida Station (under a 10-minute walk). You can get here on the way to Kawaguchiko from Tokyo (just get off a few stops earlier) or go directly from Kawaguchiko Station to Shimoyoshida in around 15 minutes.
For 2025, the parking lot was closed, but there were opportunities to park nearby.
Organizers may cancel events, alter schedules, or change admission requirements without notice. Always check official sites before heading to an event.
