Cherry blossom season is one of the liveliest times to visit Japan. With flowers blooming from late March through April all over the country, you can enjoy the wonders – historic and modern – alongside the delicate blossoms. Take an afternoon off and have a hanami picnic – sitting amongst the cherry trees eating, drinking and simply revel in the beauty of the season.

Here's how to find some of Japan's top Sakura-hotspots located just outside of Tokyo in the neighbouring Kanagawa Prefecture.

Yokohama City - Minato Mirai and Kamonyama Park

Take a leisurely walk down Yokohama City's 500-metre-long cherry tree-lined 'Sakura Street'. The street resides by the city's high-rise business district, Miato Mirai 21, which has endless dining and shopping options available to be enjoyed alongside the blossoms.

During the Sakura Matsuri the cherry blossoms on Sakura Street are lit-up after dark. There are various events in the surrounding area held various days during the season, such as live music and yummy street food stalls.

Kamonyama Park is another one of Yokohama's prime Sakura viewing spots, offering endless rows of cheery trees and a view of Minato Mirai 21 in the distance. The spacious park offers plenty of room to sit down and do as the Japanese do - enjoy a hanami picnic underneath the blossoms.

Lake Sagami

A sight which can't be found within the city's limits, Lake Sagami Pleasure Forest in the middle of Kanagawa Prefecture is a resort-style theme park home to 2,500 Cherry Blossom trees. The highlight of the park is the 400-metre walkway through 500 cherry trees lit-up at night to resemble the milky way.

The park also offers visitors the opportunity to take a ride on a Ferris wheel to bask in the spring scenery from above – white-pink blossoms by day, and the brilliant illuminations throughout the park by night.

Odawara Castle

Only a 35-minute train ride away from Tokyo, the historic Odawara Castle built in the mid-15th century was home to a powerful clan of Samurai who controlled the surrounding region. To this day, Odawara Castle continues to be the city's symbol conveying the glory of the Edo period.

Visiting in spring gifts visitors with the view of over 300 flowering Yoshino Cherry trees. The castle comes to life after dark when the whole area is it is lit-up with traditional lanterns and pink lights – fully encapsulating the mood of spring felt across Japan.

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