Cherry Blossoms along the Nagara River in Gifu

The second spot on my sakura hunting mission were the beautiful cherry blossoms along the banks of the Nagara River just outside of Gifu Gokoku Shrine in Gifu City.

The Nagara River, which is a beloved symbol of Gifu City along with Mount Kinka and Gifu Castle, flows through the city with its source starting in Gujo, a picturesque riverside town in the mountains north of Gifu City. The river is famous for being one of Japan’s “Three Clear-Flowing Rivers”, as well as being named one of Japan’s top “100 Bodies of Water”.

Cherry blossoms along the Nagara River

 

The ancient art of ukai (cormorant fishing) has a history of over 1,300 years, and takes place from May 11 to October 15 every year along the Nagara River in Gifu City. There are only twelve places in all of Japan where you can see ukai, with the cormorant fishing masters on the Nagara River, the only ones granted the title of “Imperial Fisherman of the Household Agency.” 

Cherry blossoms with the ukai viewing boats

 

There are about 400 somei yoshino cherry blossom trees along the south bank of the Nagara River, which become pretty in pink during spring. 

 

Cherry Blossoms at Gifu Gokoku Shrine

This year the cherry blossoms reached peak bloom a lot earlier than usual in Gifu City. I just had to pick up my camera and head out to explore some of my favourite sakura spots in Gifu. First up is Gifu Gokoku Shrine which is close to the Nagara River.

Gifu Gokoku Shrine is a Shinto shrine located at the base of Mount Kinka near Gifu Park in Gifu City. The shrine is dedicated to the residents of Gifu Prefecture who have died in wars since the Meiji Restoration in 1868.

History

Plans to construct the shrine were made after the Russo-Japanese War ended in 1905, but actual construction did not start until 1939 and was completed in 1940. 

The Entrance to Gifu Gokoku Shrine

 

Cherry Blossoms

Gifu Gokoku Shrine is known for its sakura (cherry blossoms) in spring. There are a few cherry blossom trees in the shrine’s precincts, but the best spot is along the road just outside the shrine leading to the Nagara Bridge, where you can catch the beautiful blossoms with amazing views of the Nagara River as well as the shrine architecture. 

Cherry Blossoms at Gifu Gokoku Shrine

 

Stone Lantern and Cherry Blossoms at Gifu Gokoku Shrine

Shrine Gate and Cherry Blossoms

 

The shrine is also famous for its ukai-zakura cherry blossom tree, which is one of the earliest bloomers in Gifu City. The large tree was planted over 100 years ago and is about 8 meters tall. The stunning tree received its name (ukai-zakura) because it is said that its blossoms can predict the amount of ayu (sweet fish) caught during the upcoming ukai (cormorant fishing) season. A bumper bloom means a lot of delicious ayu and a good ukai season.

The tree hadn’t quite reached peak bloom during my visit on March 26, 2021, but still looked beautiful anyway. 

Ukai Zakura at Gifu Gokoku Shrine

 

Cherry Blossoms at Gifu Gokoku Shrine

Starbucks Japan Cherry Blossom Drinks 2019

Starbucks Japan have just released news of their 2019 limited-edition sakura cherry blossom drinks. This is news that we at Japan Australia look forward to every year as it is a sure tell sign that spring is on its way. The Japan only sakura drinks not only always taste great, but are a great prelude to the upcoming cherry blossom season in Japan.

You can follow all the latest news and updates about the cherry blossom forecast by following Japan Travel Advice, who recently published their annual 2019 Cherry Blossom (Sakura) Forecast for Japan. Check it out and start planning your hanami parties now.

This year, we can look forward to Starbucks Full Sakura Milk Latte and Full Sakura Frappuccino.

Starbucks Sakura Latte and Frappuccino 

This year Starbucks is combining two popular pink flavours, cherry blossom and strawberries with a theme “Sakura Mankai Moments – Full Blooming All Around You”. “Mankai” means “full bloom” in Japanese with inspiration for the drinks taken from the cherry blossoms in full bloom.

The Full Sakura Milk Latte is designed to represent that special moment in spring when a gentle wind blows through the trees and the soft cherry blossom petals slowly fall to the ground. The drink has a light sakura flavor and is topped with whipped cream and strawberry chocolate shavings and chocolate sakura flavoured petals. The Full Sakura Milk Latte is available from February 15th until March 19th, 2019.

The Full Sakura Frappuccino is designed to represent the cherry blossom petals in full bloom reflected on the water’s surface. Cherry blossoms along the river are a common sight in Japan during the spring. The Full Sakura Frappuccino base is a sakura and strawberry sauce with sakura jelly and strawberry jelly pieces all of which is topped with whipped cream and strawberry chocolate shavings and chocolate sakura flavoured petals. The Full Sakura Frappuccino is available from February 15th until February 27th, 2019

Starbucks Sakura Chocolate with Strawberry Jelly 

Available for a limited time only at convenience stores around Japan is the Sakura Chocolate with Strawberry Jelly drink. From February 12th you will be able to pick up one of these which has a sakura and white chocolate flavoured base mixed with tiny pieces of strawberry jelly. Its thick texture is similar to the Starbucks Frappuccino with the drink meant to be shaken before being drunk.

Starbucks Sakura Goods 

Starbucks limited-edition range of seasonal drinkware including travel mugs, cups, glasses and tumblers are always a hot item in its spring line-up. This year we have two different collections to enjoy. The first series being released on February 15th in soft pink is based around a “cold” theme.

The second series will be available from February 25th with a more vivid strawberry red theme and is based around a “sunlight” theme.

Starbucks Japan Website

Best Spots for Cherry Blossoms in Gifu / Aichi

We are lucky here in the Gifu and Aichi area of Japan to have many great spots for viewing the beautiful cherry blossoms. This year they are expected to start blooming earlier than usual and the estimated start date of the bloom is around March 21 in both Gifu and Nagoya. The peak is estimated for around March 29-30.

Below are some of my favourite spots for cherry blossom viewing in the area.

Nagoya-jo Castle – featuring 10 different types and 1600 cherry trees around the park and along the moat of the castle. This is one of the best places for cherry blossom viewing in Japan. Best from late March to early April.

Tsuruma Koen – located in Tsurumai, Nagoya, it features 1000 cherry trees. It is a popular hanami spot with many food stands and plenty of space for hanami parties under the trees. Best from late March to early April.

Inuyama-jo Castle – located in Inuyama City, just outside of Nagoya, it features 400 cherry trees set around the grounds of the famous castle. Best from late March to early April.

Sunomata-jo Castle – located just outside of Ogaki City, Gifu on the banks of the Sai and Nagara Rivers, it features 1000 cherry trees. The castle is a replica of the famous original, which is said to have been built in one night. The area around the castle is illuminated at night and is very spectacular. Best from late March to early April.

Gifu Koen – featuring 480 cherry trees in the area around Gifu park from the foot of Mount Kinka to the Japan-China Friendship Garden, it is one of the best spots for cherry blossom viewing in Gifu. This spot can be enjoyed during both the daytime and the evening/night. Best from late March to early April.

Shinsakai River - located in Kagamigahara City near the Shimin Koen Park this is one of the best spots in Gifu and features in Japan's top 100 best sakura locations. The banks of the river have around 1200 cherry trees and there are many food vendors making this a fantastic hanami location. Best from late March to early April.

Usuzumi Sakura – located in Motosu City, Gifu, it is one of the oldest cherry trees in Japan and considered one of Japan's Three Great Sakura. This unique cherry blossom initially sprouts pale pink flowers, which become white in full bloom. Usuzumi Park features around 50 cherry trees. Best from early April to late April.

Take a look at the Cherry Blossom Forecast 2013 from Japan Travel Advice

Where are you planning to see the Cherry Blossoms this year?

Olinda Hanami Day 2012

We were lucky a couple of weeks ago to attend the Olinda Hanami Day at the National Rhododendron Gardens in the beautiful Dandenong Ranges. I wrote about the event here Olinda Cherry Blossom Festival

The day started out wet, but the clouds soon disappeared and the sun made an appearance to brighten up the day. The National Rhododendron Gardens boosts 15,000 rhododendrons, 12,000 azaleas, 3,000 camellias, along with a beautiful cherry tree grove that hosts the cherry blossom festival each year. It is set on 40 hectares of scenic botanic gardens.

Here are some pictures of the beautiful flowers at the gardens

Azalea Garden

Rhododendrons

Magnolias

There is a large ornamental lake which is very picturesque.

Ornamental Lake

The cherry tree grove, where hanami takes place.

Cherry Tree Grove

The beautiful cherry blossoms, which are the star of the day.

Cherry Blossoms

Japanese culture with the wadaiko (Traditional Japanese style drumming).

Wadaiko

Past the cherry tree grove is some stunning views of the Dandenong Ranges that stretch out across the Yarra Valley.

Scenic View

Information about the National Rhododendron Gardens

Website: National Rhododendron Gardens

How to Get There:

The gardens are just an hour's drive from the Melbourne CBD


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