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Shukugawa Park
HOME > Japan’s Local Treasures > Unique Cherry Blossoms and Viewing Spots of Nishinomiya
Beautiful sceneries of fully blooming sakura in original local varieties
Hyogo Tourism Bureau
Located in the southeastern part of Hyogo Prefecture, Nishinomiya stretches from the Osaka Bay coast in the south to Mt. Rokko in the north. The city is known for its beautiful cherry blossoms, sakura in Japanese, with plenty of cherry trees, including original varieties, planted throughout the city and many famous cherry blossom viewing spots. In 1965, sakura was chosen as the city flower by public vote, and since then cherry blossoms have become a symbol of Nishinomiya.
There are two unique brands of sakura born in Nishinomiya: Nishinomiya Gongen Dairazakura, which has single large white petals, and Shukugawa Maizakura, with bright cherry blossoms in semi-double or double petals changing color from pale pink to white. If you visit Nishinomiya during the blooming season, you should definitely not miss the chance to admire these unique cherry blossoms.
Shukugawa Park, selected as one of Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots in 1990, is one of the most beautiful locations in Nishinomiya for viewing sakura. Approximately 1,700 cherry trees line both banks of the Shuku River, which flows for 2.8km from north to south through the city. The sakura trees were planted about 70 years ago mixed with pine trees and today visitors can enjoy a unique scene combining pine trees, cherry blossoms, and the river.
If you walk down to the Shuku River side from Hankyu Kurakuenguchi Station, you will find the blooming cherry blossoms lit up for 400 meters along the banks. After the sunset, the illuminated sakura trees are even more magical than in the daytime. How about taking an evening stroll and experiencing a different charm of Nishinomiya’s cherry blossoms?
How to get there
From Shin-Kobe Station on the San'yo Shinkansen, take the Kobe Municipal Subway to Sannomiya Station (about 2 minutes). Transfer to Kobe-Sannomiya Station on the Hankyu Electric Railway on foot (about 5 minutes), then take the Kobe Main Line to Shukugawa Station (20 minutes). To reach Kurakuenguchi Station, take the Koyo Line from Shukugawa Station (2 minutes).
Shukugawa Park: Mostly in Oide-cho, Nishinomiya-shi, Hyogo-ken
Kurakuen: 20-13, Hinoike-cho, Nishinomiya-shi, Hyogo-ken
