Like traveling in Japan more generally, my seemingly endless pursuit of sakura never really tired me. At this point, I’ve done more than half a dozen dedicated cherry blossom trips, and several other incidental ones.
Part of my secret for keeping hanami fresh? Chasing flowers in places which, if not the beaten path, are at least somewhat unknown for foreigners. My most recent such sojourn (in 2025, as I’m writing this post) saw me focus on destinations around the Seto Inland Sea, including Kagawa prefecture’s Shiudeyama.
The good news? The Mt. Shiude cherry blossoms more than lived up to the expectations I set when I saw a picture of them on social media years earlier. The better news? It’s easy—well, easy enough—for you to see this amazing sakura view yourself.
How Shiudeyama Earned a Spot on My Japan Bucket List
As you might guess, I didn’t start off with the intention of seeing cherry blossoms at Mt. Shiude. Rather, many years ago, I saw a picture of cherry blossoms framing islands in the Seto Inland Sea—I knew I had to take my own version of the photo. Unfortunately for me, I initially mis-identified the location, and made the expensive journey to Megijima island near Takamatsu, only to discover it was the “wrong” place (even though it was lovely in its own right).
Speaking of taking gambles, your favorite games are a lot easier to find on Slotozilla than obscure hanami spots are when looking at a map of Japan. From favorites like Blackjack, to future classics such as Tiki Torch and Queen of the Nile, it’s easy to try your luck with just a few clicks from your tablet, phone or laptop. Especially since plans to open physical casinos in Japan remain as far up in the air as they are!
What to Know About Visiting Mt. Shiude During Sakura Season
It’s only obscure among foreigners
I was honestly shocked by how many tourists were at Mt. Shiude when I got up there. Of course, the vast majority of these were Japanese tourists from surrounding Kagawa prefecture. The main foreign exception to this rule, at least as of the mid-2020s, is travelers from Taiwan.
You need to reserve parking far in advance
If you plan to drive to see the Shiudeyama cherry blossoms, you can’t just set your GPS for the mountaintop and drive there without any other premeditation. You need to reserve a timed parking slot online, ideally at least a month in advance. If you wait until the last minute, chances are this will no longer be an option.
(Or plan on taking a bus)
Alternatively, you can take a Hearts Shuttle Bus to the summit. This also needs to be booked in advance, but requires less advance notice than a parking spot. Note that you can drive part of the way (i.e. to Chichibugahama beach, another popular tourist spot in the area) and then take the bus from there.
(Or hiking)
If you want to see the Shiudeyama sakura and don’t mind working up a sweat, yet another option is to hike. You can do so by riding a train to JR Takuma Station, getting a bus from there to the Ohama Bus Stop, and hiking ~90 minutes up the aptly-named “Nature Trail” to the summit.
It’s worth the trouble of getting there
While Mt. Shiude isn’t as easy to visit as other attractions in Kagawa-ken (such as Marugame Castle, or even Takamatsu City’s own Ritsurin Garden), trust me when I say that the effort you put in will be worth it. Well, at least if you manage to visit when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom and when the sun is shining—more on this in a second.
When Do Mt. Shiude’s Cherry Blossoms Reach Full Bloom?
In spite of ostensibly being on Shikoku island, which is one of the first places sakura bloom in Japan, Mt. Shiude’s blossoms reach mankai (full bloom) later than you might expect. This is due both to the elevation of the mountain, as well as the unique microclimate of the Mitoyo Peninsula it sits atop. In a normal year, the best time to see cherry blossoms here is between about April 3-7, or a few days after full bloom in central Takamatsu.
Another important consideration for Mt. Shiude’s cherry blossoms? In order to get the best photos of the flowers with the islands of the Seto Inland Sea behind them you really need to visit on a bright, sunny day. As a result of these conditions, I suggest being somewhat flexible about when you go. This also involves making multiple bus ticket reservations—or, if you’re driving, reserving a parking spot on two or more days.
Other FAQ About Seeing Cherry Blossoms at Mt. Shiude
How do I get to Mt. Shiude?
Mt. Shiude is most easily accessible by rental car, though during cherry blossom season you will need to pre-reserve parking. Alternatively, you can go via public transportation to JR Takuma Station or to Chichibugahama beach, which both offer bus transportation to the top of the mountain.
When is the best time to visit Mt. Shiude?
Mt. Shiude is most beautiful around the first week of April, when its cherry blossoms reach full bloom. However, you can also come later in April for tsutsuji or azaleas, or between around mid-June to late July, when hydrangeas (ajisai in Japanese) will blossom.
Is Mt. Shiude worth visiting?
Mt. Shiude is definitely worth visiting! However, while the views are great at any time of year, they’re best during early April when sakura in full bloom frame them, or secondarily in July or August when hydrangeas add a color accent to your panorama of the Seto Inland Sea.
The Bottom Line
The Mt. Shiude cherry blossoms are amazing, whether you’re on your first cherry blossom trip and want to go a bit off the beaten path, or are an experienced Japan traveler digging deep into Kagawa prefecture. To this latter point, Shiudeyama pairs well with other destinations in the Takamatsu area, from Chichibugahama beach, to the scenic hilltop shrine of Takaya Jinja. No matter what form your adventure takes, do be as mindful of how you get around as where you go, since road controls are in place during cherry blossom season. Need personalized help assembling your next cherry blossom trip? Commission a custom Japan itinerary today!
