Takato Joshi Park

Amazing Place to Enjoy Cherry Blossoms

Despite the heavy traffic and difficulty of finding parking, this hilltop park near Ina City in southern Nagano is one of the best sakura viewing spots I have been to. The park is fairly large and boasts over 1,000 cherry trees. You can enjoy food and drinks from a number of stalls during peak cherry viewing season. The park has several interesting buildings, bridges, and shrines that are perfect for taking photos. You have to buy a ticket to get in to the main park area, but it's well worth the cost. Parking at the park is quite difficult as the lots fill up and cars get backed up on the narrow road. However, there are a number of nearby parking areas during cherry blossom season. There is even an app for iPhone that shows the lots marked on the area map and if they are full or not, and also if they are paid or free. Some are a bit of a walk from the park itself, but it may be preferable for some people.