What are some of your favorite cherry blossom-viewing spots in Japan?

HIroseki Castle with Iwaki San the back drop.

A small park at a river, about three minutes from our house in the suburbs.

It doesn't need hundreds of sakura trees to have a lovely hanami experience. It needs one, and some good food, a few good drinks, and good company on a nice day make it perfect.

Maizuru Park, Fukuoka.

The Philosopher’s Walk in Kyoto. It was a lovely and quite serene experience just walking leisurely alongside the canal, no rush, no hurry to get to the end, stopping from time to time to enjoy a cherry blossom ice cream, admire people drawing famous scenes of Kyoto on canvas or stones, or just watch petals riding the breeze. Of course there were other visitors (why wouldn’t or shouldn’t there be?) but, for me at least, it wasn’t crowded at all for such a tourist hotspot, and everyone seemed to be respectful of and vibing with the tranquil atmosphere, so I was probably lucky the times I went.

Himeji Castle. Hikone Castle. Yoshino Nara.

in my garden at home.

take seat on deck have some beer and enjoy spring and sakura flowers.

At home or at any of a hundred lovely spots just outside the city. Any place that is touted as a cherry blossom viewing spot is sure to be packed with drunk people, noise and alcohol. Hard to enjoy cherry blossoms under those conditions - fine place for a party though.

commanteer

fully agree.

here I prefer to invite 90yo neigbour and we are having beer together :)

Anywhere that doesn't include portable karaoke machines.

Anywhere not too crowded

in my garden at home.

take seat on deck have some beer and enjoy spring and sakura flowers.

Can't beat that!!

I have a garden too, but no deck or Sakura. Oh well.

Your local home center sells Sakura trees so…,