The revered cherry blossoms in Japan are a sight to see at least once in your life. With their unique petals that turn the whole world into a pink paradise, Sakura season in Japan is revered for its natural beauty.

And that’s why it brings hoards of crowds for its flower viewing festival. What most travelers don’t know is that there is more than one way to see these beautiful trees without disturbing it and that’s through cherry blossom train rides. 

Japan has a handful of train rides that run throw “Sakura tunnels” – a chain of trees together that creates a tunnel like effect where these cherry blossoms are in full bloom. It’s one of the most beautiful and movie-style ways to see these flowers. Most of these places also holds special train runs, cherry blossom festivals and events during the season.

For those who want to see the sakura blossoms in a non-traditional way, here is the best cherry blossom train ride you can take across Japan from Tokyo to Fukuoka that will turn into a core memory. 

Sagano Romantic Train, Kyoto

For those heading to Kyoto, the Sagano Romantic Train offers a 25-minute, 7km scenic journey combining river views and cherry blossoms. The train passes on the side of the Hozu River gorge, featuring spectacular cherry blossom tunnels in spring.

Sagano train goes between the Saga Torokko Station in Arashiyama and Kameoka Station in Kameoka. The train also has an open carriage (Car No. 5) for those who would like to get a clear view of the cherry trees and catch its petals in the wind. 

The Sagano train is one of Kyoto’s highlights letting you enjoy the scenic beauty of this iconic prefecture without the crowds. The train ride is also revered for its beautiful route during the autumn season.

• Best Timing: Mid March to first week of April

• Scenic Highlights: The route passes through tunnels of blooming cherry trees and runs across the Hozu River. It’s also a famous train ride during autumn in Japan.

• Booking Tips: Sagano Train only runs until 5pm and tickets sell out quickly; it is highly recommended to purchase an online ticket one month in advance, as they are not easily available on the day.

• Train information: Sagano Romantic train starts from Saga station from Arashiyama, Kyoto. A round way ticket can be purchased that takes you the entire length and back of the railway. 

Oigawa Railway, Shizuoka

Running through the tracks of Ieyama in Shizuoka, Oigawa Railway is famous for it’s 1930s steam train that passes through a kilometre tunnel of cherry blossoms in Ieyama. 

During the Sakura season, the train increases its runs to accommodate the number of travelers that wants to experience the Sakura tunnel in all its glory. The steam train itself is a sight to see as it was built during the Showa period and still runs today. 

The spectacular cherry blossom sight is found around Ieyama station near the Oi river. The train journey is also famous for the Oigawa bridge that gives a breath taking view of the river and surrounding mountains. 

• Best Timing: Late March to early April.

• Scenic Highlights: 1km of cherry blossom trees near Ieyama station and is also known for passing through the famous bridge with rivers and canyons.

• Booking Tips: Tickets for the Oigawa Railway, especially the popular steam locomotive (SL) trains, can be in high demand during peak season. Book online to secure the ticket or through tour guides. 

• Train ride information: Head to Shizuoka from Tokyo via the bullet train/shinkansen. Once in Shizuoka start from Shin-Kanaya Station and finish at Senzu Station to see the 1km cherry tree tunnel around Ieyama Station. If you want to, while coming back, you can get down at Ieyama Station or Suruga-Tokuyama Station for capturing retro style images of cherry blossoms. 

Gotemba Line, Yamakita Station, Kanagawa

Unlike the other trains where the cherry blossom trees are seen on the ride, Yamakita Station has intense sakura views directly from the train platform. 

Located on the JR Gotemba Line in Kanagawa, this is one of the best cherry blossom spots in Japan featuring stunning 130 sakura trees along the tracks. Yamakita Station is in Kanagawa, which is 2 hour train ride from Tokyo, meaning if you find yourself swamped with crowds in the capital and want a breath of fresh air and take in the beauty of the cherry trees without the hoards of tourists breathing in the back of your neck, then this is the next best spot. 

The station also hosts a Sakura Festival during late March to early April, with evening illuminations and scenic views of trains passing through the blossoms. 

• Best Timing: Late March to early April.

• Scenic Highlights: Climb the bridge over the station to get gorgeous views of the cherry blossom and the train running along the tracks.

• Train ride information: Start from Tokyo station and head to Kozu station. From Kozu station, use the Gotemba Line train to get to Yamakita station.

Tsugaru Line, Ashino Koen Station, Aomori

If you plan to visit Japan during mid-April and still hope to catch the cherry blossoms, then head straight to Aomori. The northern prefecture of Japan has Sakura season later than central Tokyo.

And one of the best ways to see it is by riding the Tsugaru Line, a 45-minute train ride through the heart of Tohoku. This trip allows you to see the beauty of Aomori along with 1500 cherry trees around Ashino Koen Station. 

Since the station is near the Ashino park, you can get down to enjoy the thousands of cherry trees in full bloom with insta-worthy pictures that looks like it came straight out of an anime scene.

• Best Timing: Mid to late April

• Scenic Highlights: Get down at the Ashino Koen Station to enjoy the cherry trees.

• Train ride information: Take the shinkansen from Tokyo to Aomori. The shinkansen (bullet train) is a four hour ride from Tokyo. Once you reach Aomori, take the train to Ashino Koen station. We recommend staying a day or two in Aomori as the commute can be along and the prefecture has gorgeous attractions including Hirosaki Park and Hirosaki Castle during sakura season.

Moka Railway/Mooka Railway, Tochigi

The Moka Railway Line began its journey in 1912 and was the nation’s first local line. Today, the same steam train offers a unique, charming journey through the eastern Kanto countryside, especially during spring. Stretching between Shimodate Station in Ibaraki Prefecture and Motegi Station in Tochigi Prefecture, the route takes over two hours to complete.

Along the way, the train winds past gentle rivers and vast fields of blooming rapeseed flowers (nanohana). In spring, these golden-yellow fields create a stunning contrast against the soft pink hues of cherry blossoms, turning the entire landscape into a moving postcard.

Usually the steam train only offers one round trip per day but during weekends and holidays, it offers a spring-limited special trip through the pink cherry blossoms and yellow rape blossoms. 

• Best Timing: Late March to mid-Aprill

• Scenic Highlights: Yellow nanohana flowers offer a beautiful contrast to the pink cherry trees

• Booking information: To ride the Moka Railway, you will need to through their official website as same day tickets get sold fast on first come basis. 

• Train ride information: After purchasing tickets you can board the train at Shimodate Station, Mooka Station, Mashiko Station or Motegi Station. Same day boarding tickets can be brought on these stations as well. We recommend boarding from Shimodate Station until Motegi station and backwards for a round trip. 

Nanao Line, Noto Kashima Station, Kanazawa

Situated in the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa, Noto Kashima Station also known as Noto Sakura station, is an underrated spot for its 100 cherry trees that surround it. 

Spring turns this route into one of the most sought-after scenic train journeys, thanks to its breathtaking cherry blossom views. The Nanao line passes through the station for its enchanting cherry blossom tunnel.

Since the Noto Peninsula is near Kanazawa, the place makes it an ideal destination for low-crowd charm and seaside views. To make the most of the experience, a convenient day pass is available. It allows unlimited travel on Saturdays and public holidays across the network, along with discounts at nearby museums and onsen—easily one of the best-value options for exploring the region.

• Best Time to Visit – Late March to early April (peak cherry blossom season)

• Scenic Highlights – Cherry blossom-lined tracks throughout the Noto Kashima station and you can get down to enjoy the sakura views. Noto is known for its contrasting seasonal landscapes, including rivers and open countryside so a full day of exploration here is totally worth it. 

• Booking info: Day pass offers unlimited rides on Saturdays and public holidays. Tickets can be purchased at any of Ishikawa prefecture stations. 

• Train Ride Info: Take the shinkansen from Tokyo to Kanazawa. From Kanazawa station, get to Nanao station and then to Noto Kashima Station. The trip from Kanazawa takes approx 2 hours. Since Ishikawa is in a completely different prefecture from Tokyo, we recommend spending a day or two in Kanazawa to make the trip easier. 

The Nagaragawa Line, Gifu

There’s something almost timeless about the Japanese countryside in spring—misty rivers, quiet villages, and cherry blossoms drifting through the air like soft snowfall. Along the banks of the Nagara River, that atmosphere feels even more cinematic.

The Nagaragawa Railway Line follows this tranquil route, connecting Mino-Ota Station in Minokamo to Hokuno Station in Gujo Hachiman. 

But this isn’t just another scenic ride. From Friday to Sunday, vintage trains from the 1920s Taisho era still run on this line, offering a rare chance to experience Japan’s rail heritage. The train ride cuts through the Nagara river and gives a calming view of the cherry blossom trees blooming along the riverside. 

This train ride is one of Japan’s top 5 train lines as it connects both Gifu prefecture, famed for its thatched roof houses and the historic town of Mino, famous for its creation of the Washi paper.

Best Time to Visit – Late March to mid April for peak cherry blossoms

Scenic Highlights – Pass Riverside views along the Nagara River with cherry blossom-lined stretches of track. Visit both Gifu prefecture and Mino town for its historic sights.

Train Ride Info- Vintage 1920s trains operate through the line running between Mino-Ota Station and Hokuno Station in Gujo Hachiman. For day passes, tickets and train times, please visit their official website. 

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