This weekend marks the start of the cherry blossom season in Okinawa, the earliest in Japan, when the 47th Motobu Yaedake Cherry Blossom Festival begins at Sakura-no-Mori Park this Saturday.

The park features about 7,000 cherry trees lining a three-kilometer mountain road up Mount Yae (463m).  Stage events celebrate the festival's opening weekend on this Saturday and Sunday. There are also booths selling drinks, food, and usual festival trinkets. The festival officially runs through February 2.

The park also has a children’s playground with equipment, and the top of the road boasts a stunning view of Nago City and Ie Island in the distance.

Cherry Blossom Festivals in Nago and Nakijin Castle Park open a week later on Jan. 25.

Date: Jan. 18 (Sat) – Feb. 2 (Sun), 2025
Place: Yaedake Cherry Blossom Forest Park
Admission: Free