Nago City's Cherry Blossom Festival

Lanterns at the Cherry Blossom Festival

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Nago Cherry Blossom Festival

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Latitude	Longitude
N 26 35.245	E 127 58.925

Nago City's Cherry Blossom Festival (Sakura Matsuri, 名護市 桜祭り)

Late January to early February, Nago City hosts the Cherry Blossom Festival at the Nangusuku Castle Site Park across from the Orion Brewery. Thousands of visitors come and take delight in the cherry blossoms as they ascend up the hillside park; and up above you can gaze upon the vast surrounding landscape of Nago City with the East China Sea and the Motobu Peninsula in the backdrop. The festival is a two-day weekend event. See festival information below.

Festival Information.
When: Two-day weekend event, typically end of January/early February. (2020 January 25 to January 26)
Time: 11am - 9pm, Saturday & Sunday
Night Viewing: Typically, the week before the festival starts the stairway lanterns will be turned on in the evening till the last day of the festival (6pm - 10pm) (Note: This has not been confirmed for 2019)
Admission Fee: Free
Amenities: Food Stands (Yen only)/Restrooms Available (various locations)
Baby Strollers/Wheelchairs: The park has a network of paved roads to help you navigate through the park. However, there will be areas with steps and makeshift stairs. Plan accordingly.
Parking: The main parking area will be at the Nago Fishing Port (near Highway 58). It is about a 10 minute walk to the main festival area. Scroll map to the west to see fishing port.
Website: https://nagomun.or.jp/event/1606/ (Japanese only). Translation may be required.

Note: If you have never been to the Nangusuku Castle Site Park, prepare for a lot of walking up the the hillside. Road networks (closed to vehicle traffic during the festival period) traverse up the mountain aiding you to view the entire park on foot; The long stairway to the hillside shrine is little over a 450 steps. The stairway is optional; a road can also take you near the small shrine as well.

Directions. (Recommendations) Because this event falls on the weekend, heavy traffic is expected at the merger of Exit 10 (Expressway) and Highway 58. Additionally, it will not be uncommon to see traffic backed up on the Expressway from Exit 10. Option 1. (If using the Expressway), Recommend departing off Exit 9 (Ginoza Village) and then take Highway 329 north into Nago City. Then proceed north on Highway 58. The Nago Fishing Port (event parking area) will be on your left side (west of Highway 58). Option 2. Take Highway 329 north into Nago City. Then proceed north on Highway 58. The Nago Fishing Port (event parking area) will be on your left side (west of Highway 58).

Other Cherry Blossom Festivals on Okinawa. Mt. Yaedake Cherry Blossom Festival, Nakijin Castle Night Illumination (Cherry Blossoms).

Related Links. The Nangusuku Castle Site Park