Weeping Cherry Trees in Japan: Shidarezakura and Where to See Them

Meet shidarezakura, the weeping cherry trees whose cascading branches grace Kyoto shrines, samurai streets and a famous thousand-year-old giant in Fukushima.

Published October 21, 2026 at 9:41 PM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Quick answer: Shidarezakura are weeping cherry trees whose long branches hang down and fall in curtains of pink or white blossoms. Many open a little before or after the common Somei Yoshino, usually between late March and mid April. Famous places to see them include Maruyama Park and Heian Jingu in Kyoto, the Miharu Takizakura in Fukushima, and the samurai district of Kakunodate in Akita.

When people picture Japanese cherry blossoms, they often imagine round, upright trees full of pale petals. Shidarezakura, the weeping cherries, offer something quite different: long branches that fall like a waterfall, swaying with every breeze. Some of these trees are centuries old and carry local legends, while others line temple gardens and riverside paths. This guide explains what makes a weeping cherry, how it differs from other types, and where to find the finest examples.

What shidarezakura means

The name combines shidare, which means hanging or drooping, with sakura, the word for cherry blossoms. It describes a growth habit rather than a single species, so several types of cherry can have weeping branches. The most familiar ones are cultivars of the Edo higan cherry, a wild species native to Japan.

Color varies. Benishidare, one popular form, has deep pink single flowers, and yae-beni-shidare has double flowers in a similar shade. There are also white-flowered weeping forms, as well as weeping versions of Somei Yoshino and of wild mountain cherries. Because of this variety, a weeping cherry can look pale and airy or rich and almost crimson, depending on the type.

How weeping cherries differ from Somei Yoshino

Somei Yoshino, the variety behind most city blossom forecasts, grows into a broad, upright tree with pale, nearly white pink flowers. Weeping cherries have a vertical drama instead, with branches that sweep down from a high crown toward the ground. Their flower color is often deeper, which makes them stand out in photographs.

Timing differs as well. Weeping cherries usually flower from late March into April, and some open around a week before Somei Yoshino while others come later. This overlap is useful for travelers, because a weeping cherry can still be in full bloom after the main forecast date has passed.

Maruyama Park and Gion in Kyoto

Maruyama Park, beside Yasaka Shrine in Kyoto, is home to the best-known weeping cherry in the city. The tree stands behind Yasaka Shrine and is often called the Gion night cherry because it is floodlit after dark. The original tree withered in 1947 after about two centuries, and the current one was grown from its seeds by a specialist cherry gardener.

The park is about a ten minute walk from Gion-Shijo Station on the Keihan line. Its broad crown releases pale pink blossoms, and a daytime visit gives a quieter look at the tree. An evening visit adds the glow of lights, though paths can be busy in peak season.

Other weeping cherries in Kyoto

Kyoto has several more places worth knowing. Heian Jingu, a shrine built in 1895 to mark the 1,100th anniversary of the capital's move to Heian-kyo, fills its garden with benishidarezakura. Blossoms reflected in the pond beside the vermilion buildings are a classic spring scene, and the trees even appear in Junichiro Tanizaki's novel The Makioka Sisters.

At To-ji Temple, a double flowered weeping cherry known as Fujizakura is said to be more than 120 years old and about 13 meters tall, set against the 55 meter pagoda. Tenryu-ji, in Arashiyama, has weeping cherries near its Tahoden Hall that frame the temple roofs, and the Nakaragi Path along the Kamo River embankment runs for about 800 meters beneath benishidarezakura. Together they make Kyoto one of the easiest cities for weeping cherry lovers.

Miharu Takizakura in Fukushima

The Miharu Takizakura, in the town of Miharu, is one of the most famous trees in Japan. It is a weeping cherry estimated to be about 1,000 years old, and it is a national natural monument. The name Takizakura means waterfall cherry, a fitting label for branches that spill down like falling water.

It is counted among the three great cherry trees of Japan, alongside the Usuzumizakura in Gifu and the Jindaizakura in Yamanashi. The main viewing period is usually mid April, and the tree is lit at night so that visitors can see a different, dreamlike version of the scene. Seeds and saplings from the tree have been planted across Japan and in several other countries, which spreads its story far beyond Fukushima.

Kakunodate's samurai district

Kakunodate in Akita is a former castle town where weeping cherries line the streets of the old samurai district. According to local tradition, three saplings were brought from Kyoto as part of a bride's dowry in the 1600s, and the town's trees are believed to descend from them. About 400 weeping cherries grow in the city, and 162 of them are designated natural monuments.

The trees were admired as early as the late eighteenth century. A visiting scholar of that era described their drooping branches as resembling mist, drifting snow and a tall waterfall. Today the old samurai houses make a handsome backdrop, and the best viewing is typically in late April, with the town about a twenty minute walk from the station.

Gardens and parks closer to Tokyo

Tokyo has its own fine weeping cherry. Rikugien, an Edo-style landscape garden, is known for a large weeping cherry that is lit in the evening during bloom. Visitors pay an admission fee, and evening hours are announced each year, so check the official garden page for current dates and prices.

Hirosaki Park in Aomori also includes weeping cherries among its more than 50 varieties, and over 300 of its trees are more than a century old. The mix of varieties means that different types peak at slightly different times. If you want weeping cherries without leaving the capital region, the early part of the season is the time to go.

Tips for seeing weeping cherries

Look at the whole tree and then look closely. Stand back to see the shape of the crown, then move underneath to look up through the branches. Blossoms are delicate, so avoid touching or pulling them, and remember that famous trees are often fenced for their protection.

Plan around the weather. Rain and wind can bring petals down fast, so allow flexibility in your schedule. Because weeping cherries open at different times from the main forecast trees, check local reports for the specific place, and confirm opening hours and admission at official sites before traveling. A weeping cherry rewards patience, and a calm moment beneath one is among the most lasting memories of a Japanese spring.

Want to go deeper? Tokyo Paul's book Japan Cherry Blossom Photobook is available on Amazon.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between shidarezakura and Somei Yoshino?

Shidarezakura are weeping cherries with hanging branches, often with deeper pink or white flowers, while Somei Yoshino is an upright tree with pale pink blossoms that most city forecasts track. The weeping types may open slightly earlier or later, so their season often overlaps and extends the viewing period.

Where is the oldest weeping cherry tree in Japan?

The Miharu Takizakura in Fukushima is one of the best-known, estimated to be about 1,000 years old and designated a national natural monument. Other ancient cherry trees in Japan include the Jindaizakura in Yamanashi and the Usuzumizakura in Gifu. Ages are estimates, so descriptions often use words such as about or said to be.

When is the best time to see weeping cherry trees?

Weeping cherries typically bloom from late March into April, depending on the variety and location. Kyoto and Tokyo often peak around late March to early April, the Miharu Takizakura around mid April, and Kakunodate in late April. Check local forecasts, because each year differs by several days.

Further Reading

To explore further, see Semboku City: The Weeping Cherry Trees of Kakunodate, Nippon.com: Maruyama Park and the Weeping Cherry of Gion and Kyoto Travel: Cherry Blossoms in Kyoto.

Keep Exploring

More guides from Tokyo Paul: Kakunodate: Akita's Samurai Streets and Weeping Cherries, Sakura Varieties: More Than One Kind of Cherry Blossom and Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival: Blossoms at Hirosaki Castle.