If you want to enjoy skiing and cherry blossoms, Yuzawamachi in Niigata Prefecture is recommended. There is Kagura Ski Resort which boasts one of the largest ski resorts in Japan.
"Miharu Takizakura (cherry blossom waterfall)" is designated as a national Natural Monument. It is one of the three great cherry trees in Japan and said to be over one thousand years old.
The Minobusan Kuonji Temple in Yamanasahi Prefecture has a huge Shidarezakura which is 15 meters in height, 5 meters in girth and 400 years old.
The Edo-higanzakura sakura in the Usuzumi Park is one of the three great cherry trees in Japan. It is said to be over 1500 years old.
The Yamataka Jindai-zakura at this emple is one of the three great cherry trees in Japan. It is estimated to be 2000 years old and is the Japan's oldest cherry tree.
At the "Shibazakura-no-Oka (Pink Moss Hill)" in Hitsujiyama Park, the area of about 17,600 square meters is carpeted with the brilliant colors of the Shibazakura flowers (lawn cherry blossom).
Blossoms from weeping cherry trees drape gracefully down over Kakunodate, the old samurai district, and form an elegant tunnel of branches along the riverside.
The "Kitakami Tenshochi Sakura Festival" take place from mid-April to early May. Kitakami’s Tenshochi Park has been selected as one of Japan’s top 100 sites for viewing "sakura".
Vivid carp-shaped streamers above the Kitakami River together with pleasure boat cruising, a horse-driven carriage also rolls through the avenue of cherry trees creating a nostalgic atmosphere.
Kodaiji is an outstanding temple in Kyoto's Higashiyama District. Thair zen style-bamboo-cherry blossom-gardens are lit up during special illumination shows in spring and autumn.
Kenroku-en (Six Attributes Garden) is an old private garden and one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan besides Kairaku-en and Koraku-en. It's open at night during sakura season.
Matsue Castle Park has been selected as one of the top 100 cherry blossom viewing areas nationwide. On the first Saturday of every April, there is Musha Gyoretsu-an annual samurai parade taking place.
Kumamoto Castle is considered one of the three premier castles in Japan, along with Himeji Castle and Matsumoto Castle.
Chidorigafuchi is a very popular hanami spot. It’s a moat around the Imperial palace alongside with many sakura trees. You have a great view of the water fosse and stone walls of the Imperial Palace.
When the sakura are in full bloom, this park becomes Kyoto's most crowded spot for "Hanami". The centerpiece of the park is a tall shidarezakura (weeping cherry tree), which gets lit up at night.
