Best 5 Guide to Must-See Events in Chugoku April 2018

Published: May 22, 2018

Updated: Aug 22, 2018

The Chugoku region is located between Kansai and Kyushu and comprises 5 prefectures: Okayama, Hiroshima, Shimane, Tottori, and Yamaguchi. Each region has its own history and visitors can see/feel the historical buildings and Japanese culture. There are numerous must-see places, including Izumo Taisha in Matsue, Shimane and the peaceful scenery of Setonaikai. In this article, we’ll feature April events in the Chugoku region.

Nature Events

1. [Okayama] Cherry Blossoms in Okayama Korakuen Late March to Early April 2018

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source: Zenkoku Ohanami 1,000-kei WalkerPlus

Korakuen is a Japanese garden (Daimyo Teien) located in Korakuen, Kita-ku, Okayama-shi. It’s one of the three famed gardens in Japan and has been designated by the government as a special scenic location. The centerpiece of the garden is the simple, yet beautiful panorama of the turf enveloping the pond and Yuishinzan, which is best seen from Enyotei (a building in the garden). There are 280 cherry trees in the elegant garden, mostly of the Yoshino cherry varietal, and they typically reach peak bloom in early April. The expansive garden will be painted in pink, exhibiting extravagant scenes of spring. One scenic point is the Yaebenishidare, a type of cherry tree, that stands by the bridge on the pond. Feast your eyes on the beautiful garden, along with the seasonal cherry blossoms.

Schedule

・Event Date and Time
・Schedule Programs During Event (If Applicable)

Late March 2018 through early April 2018
Park hours 7:30 – 18:00

Access and Address

・Location
Okayama Korakuen

・Directions and Travel Time from Closest Station
10-minute walk from Shiroshita stop on Okayama Dekido
Immediately by Korakuen-mae bus stop on city bus

・Directions and Travel Time from Closest Hub Station
20 minutes from JR Okayama Station by bus

・Address　1-5 Korakuen, Kita-ku, Okayama-shi, Okayama Prefecture
・Map

Admission and Reservation

Admission
Adults 400 yen; seniors (65 years old and older) 140 yen; high school students and younger enter for free (April 1, 2016 through March 31, 2018. Need to show student ID)

Reservations are not required

Official Website

http://www.okayama-korakuen.jp/

2. [Hiroshima] Sakura Light-Up in Senkoji Park March 17, 2018 through April 15, 2018

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source: 4travel

Senkoji Park is an icon of Onomichi. The park is located on a mountain and visitors can take a ropeway up to the peak, where you have a panoramic view of Onomichi city, Setonaikai, and islands in the bay. There are walkways in the park, one of which is the “path of literature”. Rocks along the path have been engraved with poems written by authors and poets, whom have a connection with Onomichi. As such, this path is recommended for enthusiasts of Japanese literature. Even if you’re not interested, the path is quiet and great for walking. Senkoji Park is listed as one of the 100 best places to view cherry blossoms in Japan. Come late March, 1,600 cherry trees, comprising Yoshino cherry, Shidarezakura, and Yaezakura varietals, bloom across the park. 450 lanterns will be lit at night to illuminate the surrounding cherry trees. The light-up coincides with the Onomichi Haiku Festival; as such, the lanterns will be inscribed with haikus that focus on “Onomichi”, “spring”, and “cherry blossoms”. You’ll encounter magical spring scenes.

Schedule

・Event Date and Time
・Schedule Programs During Event (If Applicable)

March 17, 2018 through April 15, 2018

Lanterns are lit from 18:00 to 6:00 the following morning

Access and Address

・Location
Senkoji Park

・Directions and Travel Time from Closest Station
Immediately by the summit station on the ropeway

・Directions and Travel Time from Closest Hub Station
1 hour from JR Fukuyama Station on train and bus

・Address　19-1 Nishitsuchido-cho, Onomichi-shi, Hiroshima Prefecture
・Map

Admission and Reservation

Free and reservations are not required

Official Website

http://www.ononavi.jp/

3. [Tottori] Cherry Blossom Light-Up at Tottori Castle Ruins Late March 2018 through Early April 2018

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source: Hirolog

Tottori Castle is a castle that once stood in Tottori city. The area has been certified by the Japanese government as a historic site. Since the castle stood at the foot of Mount Kyusho, the castle is also referred to as Kyushozan Castle. In addition to the castle remains, there are other attractions in the park, including a state museum. In particular, the sight of the swan-filled moat and multi-layered stone wall is iconic and you’ll feel a deep sense of history. A beautiful scenery unfolds in the spring, when the 400 Yoshino cherry and Satozakura trees bloom in the park. The scene has been listed as one of the 100 best places to view cherry blossoms in Japan. During the cherry blossom season, the trees will be illuminated with lanterns of varying sizes. Take this opportunity to see cherry trees at night, which take a different face from daytime.

Schedule

・Event Date and Time
・Schedule Programs During Event (If Applicable)

Late March 2018 through early April 2018
Light-up 18:30 – 21:30 (scheduled)

*Event dates may shift depending on blooming conditions

Access and Address

・Location
Tottori Castle ruins, castle moat, river banks of Fukuro River

・Directions and Travel Time from Closest Station
Immediately by Jinpukaku/Kenritsu Hakubutsukan bus stop on shuttle bus

・Directions and Travel Time from Closest Hub Station
30-minute walk from JR Tottori Station or 10-minute bus ride on shuttle bus
・Address 2 Higashimachi, Tottori-shi, Tottori Prefecture
・Map

Admission and Reservation

Free and reservations are not required

Official Website

http://www.torican.jp/

4. [Shimane] Cherry Trees at Kumano Taisha Late March 2018 through Early April 2018

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source: Sakae Tampo Seesaa Blog

Kumano Taisha is an old shrine located in Yakumo-cho in Shimane prefecture. The shrine worships Susanoo-no-Mikoto and has served as a place of worship for neighboring residents over many generations. Inada Jinja and Izanami Jinja stand to the right and left hand side of the main hall, respectively. There are numerous structures to check out at Kumano Taisha – the maidono, or stage for rituals and performances, is located to the right of the haiden (hall of worship) and a structure called the Kiribidono is located to the left. If you visit in the spring, why not check out the cherry blossoms? The cherry trees around Iu River, which passes in front of Kumano Taisha, typically bloom from late March to early April. The view of cherry blossoms from the parking area at Kumano Taisha is especially stunning and is a must-see. Kumano Taisha is a popular cherry-viewing spot.

Schedule

・Event Date and Time
・Schedule Programs During Event (If Applicable)

Late March to early April 2018

Access and Address

・Location
Kumano Taisha

・Directions and Travel Time from Closest Station
Immediately by the Kumano Taisha-mae bus stop on city bus

・Directions and Travel Time from Closest Hub Station
40 minutes from Matsue Station on bus

・Address 2451 Kumano, Yakumo-cho, Matsue-shi, Shimane Prefecture
・Map

Admission and Reservation

Free and reservations are not required

Official Website

http://www.kumanotaisha.or.jp/shintou-e.htm

Traditional Festivals

5. [Okayama] Munetada Jinja Goshinko April 1, 2018

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source:Mainichi Newspaper

Goshinko is the biggest spring event for Munetada Shrine – over 1,000 participants will parade Okayama city wearing historic garments. A portable shrine carrying the divine spirit and embellished with a phoenix on the roof will be carried around the city, making for an extravagant scene from a history book. Munetada Shrine is located in Kita-ku, Okayama and is said to provide benefits, including academic success, harmonious family relations, successful recovery from illnesses, and business success. Many visit and pay respects at Munetada Shrine, which enshrines a god of good fortune. The parade will traverse across Okayama city, stopping by at Korakuen, a Japanese garden, and other spots. Accordingly, you’ll get to explore the city by following the parade.