Cherry Blossoms at Entsu-ji Temple ～ A Famous Cherry Blossom Spot with a Beautiful Contrast Between the Seto Inland Sea and the Industrial Area. The Blossoms Were in Full Bloom on April 2, 2026.

It’s cherry blossom season.
There are many famous cherry blossom spots in Kurashiki City, so every year I enjoy deciding where to go for hanami. I went to see the blossoms when there were still quite a few buds, but I’d love to see them in full bloom, too.

Thinking they might be in full bloom by now, I headed to Entsu-ji Temple. Here’s how the cherry blossoms looked on April 2, 2026.

About Entsu-ji Temple

Entsu-ji Temple is in Tamashima, Kurashiki City.
It is known as the place where Ryokan, a monk from the Edo period, trained. Located atop Mt. Hakkasan, it is surrounded by abundant nature, and the Seto Inland Sea and industrial areas can be seen from the summit.

On a clear day with crisp air, you may even be able to see the Seto-Ohashi Bridge through a telescope.

April may be the busiest time of year at Entsu-ji Temple.
In addition to hanami visitors, many people come to attend the Ryokan Tea Ceremony held every April. It is a traditional event befitting Tamashima, where the tea ceremony culture is deeply rooted.

Entsu-ji Temple — an ancient temple in Tamashima where the great monk Ryokan trained; azaleas, maples, and cherry blossoms are also highlights

Ryokan, an Edo-period monk known as a great master, was revered by many. Did you know that Ryokan had ties to Kurashiki City? In fact, Ryokan spent about… at a temple in Kurashiki City

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Cherry blossoms on April 2

When I visited Entsu-ji Temple on April 2, 2026, the cherry blossoms were in full bloom.

Entsu-ji Temple is spacious, so I’ll introduce the blossoms by area.

Main Hall

The Main Hall has an impressive thatched roof.
With a statue of Ryokan, too, it offers a quintessential view of Entsu-ji Temple.

It had rained continuously the day before (April 1, 2026), so I was worried the blossoms might have fallen, but it seems they held on. Not many had fallen.

Though fallen petals on the moss-covered ground are beautiful, too.

Near the summit

My personal favorite view is near the summit.

From the foreground, there’s a green field, pale pink cherry blossoms, the Seto Inland Sea, and then the industrial area. The contrast between the green, pale pink, and blue, and between nature and man-made structures, is beautiful. It was a little hazy on the day I visited, but the view was still spectacular.

Cherry blossom tunnel

A single path leading from near the summit down to the field below forms a tunnel of cherry blossoms. This is also a great spot for portrait photography.

Near the open field

Since Entsu-ji Temple is on a mountain, the cherry trees are generally planted on slopes.
The slopes are gentle, and there are flat spots here and there, so you can enjoy hanami not only while walking, but also by spreading out a picnic blanket.

Cherry blossoms cover the entire slope, making for a spectacular sight. A few trees still have a small number of buds, but they’re almost all in full bloom. I enjoyed looking at the blossoms from above and below.

There’s also an open field with benches, so it looks like a nice place to enjoy hanami.

From the Writer

I enjoyed seeing the cherry blossoms in full bloom at Entsu-ji Temple.
It feels wonderful to walk along the slopes surrounded by nature while listening to birdsong.

At Entsu-ji Temple, you can enjoy hanami both while walking and while relaxing on a picnic blanket. If you’d like to take in the cherry blossoms and spectacular views, be sure to visit.

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