Cherry Blossoms in Full Bloom Brighten Japan’s Okayama Pref.

The Yomiuri Shimbun

17:31 JST, April 4, 2026

OKAYAMA — Cherry blossoms reached their peak in many parts of Okayama Prefecture this week.

In central Okayama City on Friday, many people sat on sheets along rows of cherry trees on the banks of Asahigawa River, which runs between Okayama Castle and Okayama Korakuen Garden, described as one of the three great gardens of Japan.

Various food stalls were also lined up as part of an annual sakura festival that is being held through Sunday.

The prefecture’s oldest cherry tree, named Daigo-zakura, reached full blossom in Maniwa on Thursday.

Estimated to be 1,000 years old, the 18-meter-tall tree stands alone on a 450-meter-high hill, creating an overwhelming presence. The tree is named after Emperor Godaigo (1288-1339) because legend has it he admired the flowers on his way to the Oki Islands in the Sea of Japan, where he was exiled following a failed plot against the Kamakura shogunate.

The flowers are expected to last through around April 10, and are currently illuminated from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

In Tsuyama, about 1,000 cherry trees are planted at the former site of Tsuyama Castle. A tower re-created in the main area of the castle currently looks as if it is floating among flowers in full bloom.