Cherry Blossom Season at Seiunji Temple (Chichibu)
Seiunji Temple is renowned for its beautiful weeping cherry blossoms. Around 30 cherry trees are planted within the temple grounds. Most notably, a 600-year-old weeping cherry tree—said to have been planted when Seiunji was founded in 1420—stands out. At peak bloom, the precincts are tinted in soft pink and deep crimson.
The stone garden behind the temple is also a masterpiece, and the surrounding autumn foliage is wonderful in fall. The rock garden continues up to the mountaintop and is far broader than it appears at first glance. You can enjoy sights such as zazen stones, rage stones, and the “cliffs of Buddha” scattered throughout.
During the best viewing period, the Seiunji Temple area is lively with visitors and events. Illuminations are held on the first and second Friday and Saturday nights in April.
Seiunji Temple
At the foot of Mt. Wakamiko stands Iwamatsuyama Seiunji Temple, a Rinzai Zen temple of the Kenchoji school. Approximately 30 cherry trees grow here, including weeping cherry trees and red weeping cherry trees.
One weeping cherry tree is said to have been hand-planted by Kozen Somine, who opened Seiunji Temple in 1446. Its branches droop down in the Edhigan style; the tree is 15 m tall, its branches extend over 10 m, its trunk circumference is 2.72 m, and its root circumference is 4.25 m. It is designated a natural monument of Saitama Prefecture.
In addition to the monument Edhigan, there are three types of weeping cherry trees here: pink, double pink, and white blossoms.
Chichibu
Chichibu (秩父市, Chichibu-shi) is a city in Saitama Prefecture, located in the prefecture’s westernmost area. Unlike other parts of Saitama, Chichibu is largely mountainous, with the population concentrated on river terraces along the Arakawa River. It is Saitama’s largest municipality by surface area and borders Tokyo, Yamanashi, Nagano, and Gunma Prefectures. A large portion of the city lies within Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park.
General Information
- Address: 690 Arakawakamitano, Chichibu, Saitama , Japan
- Telephone:
- Cherry blossom period: Late March to mid-April
Access
- Train / Bus / Walk: From Chichibu Railway “Bushu-Nakagawa Station,” about 15 minutes on foot
- Car: About 40 minutes from the Kan-Etsu Expressway Hanazono IC via National Route 140
