Cherry blossoms and autumn leaves in Nagoya: Nagoya Castle, Tsurumai Park, the Yamazaki River and Korankei

For cherry blossoms in Nagoya, the best-known spots are Nagoya Castle, Tsurumai Park and the Yamazaki River. Nagoya Castle has about 900 cherry trees of about 10 varieties, Tsurumai Park about 750 and the Yamazaki River about 550 along both banks; Tsurumai Park and the Yamazaki River are among Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Sites. For autumn leaves, Korankei in Toyota, Aichi is well known: the 2026 Korankei Maple Festival runs from 1 to 30 November, with illumination from sunset to 21:00. Bloom timing changes every year, so we recommend staying several nights in Nagoya to give yourself flexible days.

Where can you see cherry blossoms in Nagoya?

How to enjoy the cherry blossoms at Nagoya Castle

According to Nagoya Castle's official site, the grounds have about 900 cherry trees of about 10 varieties, mainly Somei-Yoshino and weeping cherries. Weeping cherries bloom a little later than Somei-Yoshino, so you may still see them after the Somei-Yoshino peak. During the annual cherry blossom festival, opening hours are extended and the trees are illuminated after dark. Admission is 1,000 yen for adults and free for junior high school students and younger (revised 1 October 2026). As of 3 November 2026 the keep is closed, but the Honmaru Palace is open. It is 5 minutes' walk from Exit 7 of Nagoya-jo Station, about 21 minutes from Nakamura Koen Station with a change at Sakae.

What are Tsurumai Park and the Yamazaki River like?

Tsurumai Park, opened in 1909, was Nagoya's first municipal park. It has about 750 cherry trees, and its cherry grove is one of Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Sites. The park is open at all times and entry is free. It is 1 minute's walk from Exit 4 of Tsurumai Station on the JR line and the Tsurumai subway line.

The Yamazaki River flows through south-east Nagoya. According to the City of Nagoya, about 550 cherry trees line both banks for about 2.5 km from Ishikawa Bridge to Ochiai Bridge, and as the Yamazaki River Shiki-no-Michi (Four Seasons Path) it is one of the Top 100 Cherry Blossom Sites. You can walk along the river under a long avenue of cherry trees, enjoying them on a stroll rather than picnicking on a mat in a park. In 2026 the trees were illuminated from 25 March to 3 April, 18:30–21:00; the period can change with the bloom.

When do the cherry blossoms peak?

Peak dates change every year, so we do not give a fixed date here. As one reference, the City of Nagoya scheduled the 2026 Yamazaki River illumination for 25 March to 3 April. When planning, check that year's bloom information on each spot's official site. Blooms can come early or late, so staying 3–4 nights in Nagoya and choosing your viewing day while you are there makes it harder to miss them.

What if it rains, or the blossoms have fallen?

During the season it may rain for days, or the blossoms may already have fallen when you arrive. On those days, switch to sights you can enjoy indoors. Nagoya Castle's Honmaru Palace can be toured inside. Nagoya City Science Museum has a planetarium dome 35 m across and is about 10 minutes from Nakamura Koen Station on the Higashiyama Line with no change (closed Mondays and the 3rd Friday). The Tokugawa Art Museum has two stars in the Michelin Green Guide. If you are staying several nights without changing hotels, you can go back to the blossoms on a sunny day.

Where can you see autumn leaves near Nagoya?

Korankei in Toyota is one of Aichi's best-known autumn-leaf spots. According to Aichi Now, Aichi Prefecture's official tourism site, the 71st Korankei Maple Festival in 2026 runs from 1 to 30 November, with illumination every day from sunset to 21:00 (the period and hours will not be extended). Entry is free, but parking and Sanshu Asuke Yashiki charge a fee.

• Mid to late November (the busy festival period): Higashiyama subway line to Fujigaoka, the Linimo to Yakusa Station, then an Owari bus to the Korankei stop
• Other times: buses to the Korankei stop from Meitetsu Josui, Toyotashi or Higashi-Okazaki stations, among others
• Return buses via Higashi-Okazaki do not run after 19:00 on weekdays (Aichi Now)

Nakamura Koen Station is on the Higashiyama Line, so you can reach Fujigaoka with no change. Bus times and timetables change by season, so always check before you go.

What else is there at Korankei besides the maples?

According to Aichi Now, the 2026 festival period includes events such as Sanshu Asuke taiko drumming and a monkey performance, which are cancelled in rain. The bamboo-lantern event at Kosekiji Temple does not take place on 3 and 23 November. From 31 October to 30 November there is also a stamp rally around Asuke's preserved historic streets. During the festival, rubbish bins are placed only at Korankei Hiroba and the car parks, so please take your rubbish with you or use those bins.

Korankei is not only for autumn. Aichi Prefecture's official tourism site notes that katakuri (dogtooth violet) flowers bloom there from late March to early April. If you are in Nagoya for the cherry blossoms, you can add a trip to Korankei to see the katakuri.

What to keep in mind when staying during blossom or foliage season

• These seasons are popular, so book your stay early
• Stay several nights in Nagoya so you can pick your viewing day by the weather and the bloom
• On illumination nights, check your return train or bus times in advance
• If you stay in a residential area, come in quietly at night (quiet hours are 20:00 to 8:00 at House and after 20:00 at Residence)

Where in Nagoya is convenient for these spots?

Central Nagoya has private stays in Nakamura Ward, west of Nagoya Station. House and Residence are 7 and 2 minutes' walk from Nakamura Koen Station, which is on the Higashiyama Line, so Sakae (about 12 minutes) and Fujigaoka, on the way to Korankei, need no change. Stays is 4 minutes' walk from Taiko-dori Station, 1 stop from Nagoya Station on the Sakura-dori Line. Every stay has a kitchen and a washing machine (or washer-dryer), suited to staying several nights during the season and waiting for the best day. There is also a 10% long-stay discount.

• Nagoya itinerary: 1, 3 and 5 days →
• How to travel Japan without the crowds →
• Long stays: choosing a place with a kitchen →

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