Obara Shikizakura Four-Season Cherry Blossom Festival
11/12/2022 ~ 11/30/2022
Japan is famous for its cherry blossom in spring and autumn leaves in fall, and that makes it difficult to choose when to come to Japan. But fear not! Aichi has the perfect solution for this dilemma.
Want to see both at once? Then come to Aichi!
There are only a few places in Japan where you can see both the fiery red and orange autumn leaves AND the soft pink cherry blossom at the same time, and one of them is Aichi Prefecture’s Obara! Special cherry trees called Shikizakura bloom twice a year, once in spring, and again just as the autumn leaves are at their best. This creates an incredibly beautiful, fantastic scene.
Over 10 thousand of the rare Shikizakura trees grace the Obara region, and are usually at their best from early to late November. The trees are said to have originated in the early 1800s when the samurai physician, Fujimoto Genseki was presented with one of the rare trees from a temple in Nagoya. This special tree, now designated as a Natural Monument, was planted in Obara, where it grew very well, spreading across the district.
If you want to enjoy Japan’s famed cherry blossom and also the autumn leaves, visit Aichi’s Obara in the fall, and enjoy the best of both worlds.
Since available parking lots are different from typical years, please be sure to confirm in advance.
When visiting, please cooperate with wearing a mask and other infection prevention measures.
Column: Korankei Gorge vs. Obara Shikizakura: Toyota-City's utterly popular spot for autumn leaves!
Basic Information
Address | 〒470-0531 Uedaira Obara-cho 441, Toyota-shi(Obara Fureai Park) |
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Cost | Free |
Phone number | 0565-65-3808 (Obara Tourism Association) |
Parking | Available [Obara Fureai Park Temporary Carpark] (Cap. 203 cars): JPY1,000/car with free shuttlebus to and from Senmi [Obara Paper Art Museum (Washi no Furusato)] (Cap. 95 cars, 7 buses): Free of charge [Toyota City Traditional Kabuki Museum] (Cap. 119 cars, 2 buses): Free of charge [Kaminigi] (cap. 35 cars): JPY500/car, JPY300/motorcycle [Ichiba Joshi] (Cap. 10 cars): Free of charge Note: • Please see the official web site for detailed information. |
Restrooms | Multi-purpose restrooms available |
Location | Obara Fureai Park, Senmi Shikizakura no Sato, Obara Paper Art Museum (Washi no Furusato), Kakigairi other locations within Obara. |
Directions by public transportation | From Nagoya Station, take the subway Higashiyama Line. Alight at Fushimi Station and take the Tsurumai subway line. Alight at Toyotashi Station and take the Obara Line on the Toyota Oiden Bus until “Obara Okusa" Bus Stop to get to Obara Fureai Park. Alight at "Kaminigi" Bus Stop to get to Senmi Shikizakura no Sato. |
Directions by car | Exit at the Tokai-Kanjo Expressway Toyota Fujioka I.C. or the Sanage Green Road Nakayama I.C. and drive on Route 419 for 15km in the direction of Mizunami. |
Related links |
Column: Korankei Gorge vs. Obara Shikizakura: Toyota-City's utterly popular spot for autumn leaves!
Event Information on the Obara Tourism Association Web Site Blossoming Condition Information at Obara Tourism Association Web Site (Japanese) |
Area Information
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Shikizakura Four-Season Cherry Blossoms of Obara Fureai Park
Obara-Area
The Obara Fureai Park acts as a place of recreation and respite for local residents. The rich natural environs are home to paths to walk on, letting you enjoy a stroll and see the changing view of the four seasons. Furthermore, Obara Fureai Park and the adjoining Obara Branch of Toyota City Hall are where you will find 300 cherry blossom trees. They bloom in spring from mid-March through early April and in autumn from late October through late November. The blossoms open up in greater bloom in fall than in spring, letting you see both the vivid foliage against the charming cherry blossoms. Mid November to early December is the best time to see the blossoms each year, and the Obara Fureai Park and other sites host as Shikizakura Festival for the flowers.
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Toyotashi Obara Paper Art Museum Washi no Furusato - Art and Craft Center
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The Obara district is well-suited to growing the mulberry plant, so it has been known as a cradle of papermaking since the Muromachi period. Washi no Furusato is a site where you can learn all about the charms of papermaking. The Toyotashi Obara Paper Art Museum offers both the Washi Artwork Gallery, where you can experience the charms of Obara paper crafting, and the Art and Craft Center, where you can try your hand at making paper. The Art and Craft Center lets you select from five styles: Painting, Calligraphy, Hasuki (paper embedded with leaves), Uchiwa (fan), Kabekake (wall decoration). Experts in Obara papermaking are there to lend their support, ensuring that even first-timers can get acquainted with the process. Naturally, you can take it home with you when it dries. The Washi Artwork Gallery exhibits a range of paper works that you must see for yourself.
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Obara Paper Art Museum Washi-no-Furusato - Washi Artwork Gallery
Obara-Area
Culture is spread through information, information is spread through communication, communication is written on paper, paper is produced in Aichi. Kozo is the Japanese name for the mulberry trees that seem to grow particularly well in the Obara region of Aichi Prefecture’s Toyota City. These mulberry trees have been the source of the particularly strong and versatile traditionally handcrafted washi paper produced here since at least the late 1400’s. Kozogami washi is much stronger than ordinary paper, and is the most common type of washi. It is closer to woven cloth than paper, and was used for the traditional arts of origami, shodo (calligraphy) and Ukiyo-e woodblock prints. Other uses include sliding screen doors in houses, books, even items of clothing were made from Kozogami washi. The people of Obara Village have been making a particular type of paper known as Mikawa Morishita Gami for hundreds of years. Until the Showa period, this strong paper had been used for umbrellas and shoji screens amongst many other uses. The manufacture of the washi was a long and labor intensive process that was often carried out in the cold winter months when farming was halted, and as cold, fresh water was essential on the making of washi.
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Obara Kama (Pottery Workshop)
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You can try your hand at pottery in the workshop. The shop also exhibits and sells a range of pottery. Enjoy a breather in the cafe space, where they serve siphon coffee made with fresh well water and served in handmade vessels.
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Sasahira Workshop
Obara-Area
Sasahira Workshop holds classes on making artistic handicrafts with lacquer or Japanese washi paper. Learn how to make accessories using the traditional technique of “maki-e” by painting on lacquer and layering on metal powder in the places you want to add color. Hypoallergenic lacquer allows participants to feel at ease with using the materials. Another hands-on experience involves making washi paper by building up layers of color and then writing letters of your choice.
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Sasado Onsen Resort
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Discovered in the Muromachi Period over 600 years ago, Sasado Onsen Hot Spring is Aichi Prefecture's oldest hot spring. Hot spring inns line the clean Yahagigawa River. The hot spring is good for neuralgia, skin diseases, arthralgia, and other ailments. It attracts casual bathers as well as people seeking therapeutic effects. With the natural scenery, the sounds of nature, and the warmth of the hot spring, you can feel totally refreshed through all your five senses. The local cuisine with river fish and mountain vegetables is another attraction.
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