Senkoji Park: A Must-See Sakura Spot In Onomichi

Senkoji Park and Museum

Senkoji Park is filled with Sakura trees and a sea of pink during Spring

Escape Japan’s busy cities during the Sakura season and head out to the small town of Onomichi city located between Hiroshima and Okayama prefectures. Onomichi is home to Senkoji Park, recognised as one of the top 100 Cherry Blossom viewing spots in all of Japan — and what a sight it is when the flowers are in bloom with the Seto Inland Sea and Shikoku’s mountains in the background.

Senkoji Park

Sea and sakura views from Senkoji Park

Senkoji Park sits on top of Mount Senkoji and has 10,000 cherry blossom trees that blanket the hillside in a carpet of pink in Spring. The park is open 24/7 and illuminated at night during the Sakura season so that visitors can enjoy the blooms any time of the day. During this time, stalls are set up under the Sakura trees, selling all sorts of sundry and Sakura-related items – make sure to get a sakura-flavoured soft serve ice cream as you stroll through the park.

Busy stalls during the Sakura season

Take some time to pop into the Senkoji Temple located right at the summit of Senkoji Park. There is an observation deck up here that offers panoramic views of the surrounding hillside and sea views that stretch endlessly on a clear day. Senkoji Temple is the prettiest of the 25 temples that dot the 2.5km-long Temple Walk that stretches between Onomichi Station and the West Seto Onomichi Bus Interchange.

Senkoji Cat Trail

©JNTO (Photo from: JNTO Online Media Library)

Senkoji Park is a 20-minute walk from Onomichi Station on the JR Sanyo Line. It’s not a difficult walk but does involve climbing up some slopes and stairs. Look out for the Cat Trail as you climb the hill – just search for the many lucky cat stones that litter the path. There are apparently about 1,000 of them in Onomichi city, which are found here mostly. Touching them as you walk pass supposedly brings you good luck. Apart from the lucky cat stone, there are Manekineko museums, several cafes which use cats as the theme and many cats along the trail.

Senkoji Rope Trailway

Ropeway with a view

A more leisurely way is to take the Senkoji Park Ropeway (JPY500/~USD4.81for a round trip) on the east side of the hill. But make sure not to miss out on the Path of Literature, a paved footway on the slopes lined with stones engraved with the musings of famous Japanese authors, as well as the Onomichi City Art Museum built by renowned Japanese architect Tadao Ando.

Path of Literature

An engraved stone in the Path of Literature

If you are travelling light, consider staying overnight at the Miharashi Tei Onomichi Guest House which is located a short distance down the hillside from Senkoji Temple. This 100-year-old villa gives you the chance for Japanese style living in authentic tatami dormitories.

Photos by Jaclynn Seah unless otherwise credited.

Add Senkoji Park To Your Must-See Sakura Spots List

Sakura and sea views