One of the country’s most stunning waterfalls, Japan’s oldest wooden castle, and Olympic skiing can all be reached in just over an hour outside of Tokyo.  If you make the effort to go farther afield, however, you’ll catch glimpse of Japan as it was in ancient times and experience the kind of warm hospitality that has all but disappeared from today’s modern cities.  
 

Can't wait for spring to come. - - - Okazaki castle 岡崎城
Okazaki castle, situated in Okazaki city - Aichi prefecture, is important in Japanese history as the birthplace of Tokugawa Ieyasu, 徳川家康 the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate. 
The current castle was reconstructed in 1982.　The area surrounding the castle is now a park, the Okazaki park which is famous for its cherry blossoms. Approximately 1,700 cherry trees are in full bloom in spring.
The park is one of the Best 100 Cherry Blossom Viewing Spots in Japan.

Cherry Blossom Forecast (as of 10Feb15)
Opening: 25Mar
Estimated Best Viewing: 30Mar-04Apr

Pics. © Okazaki City Tourism Association

Can't wait for spring to come. - - - Takayama 高山
The Nakabashi bridge 中橋 is the most recognizable landmark of Takayama.　This picturesque red bridge connects the historical old town of Takayama with the Jinya 陣屋 manor house. It makes an especially striking view during cherry blossom season.

Estimated Best Viewing: Mid-April to Late-April

Photo ©Takayama City

Kanazawa 金沢
Kanazawa has prospered for some 300 years since the feudal lord Maeda Toshiie 前田利家 built a castle here in the late 16th century.  At the center of the city lies the Kenroku-en Garden, famous for the "Yukitsuri 雪吊り," ropes stretched from the top of a tree to the lower branches like an umbrella to protect it from snow damage. Kenroku-en is one of the three most famous gardens in Japan, along with the Kairaku-en Garden in Mito and the Koraku-en Garden in Okayama.

Pics. © Kanazawa City

Can't wait for spring to come. - - - Kanazawa city
Kenrokuen Garden 兼六園, which is one of the 3 most beautiful gardens in Japan and Kanazawa Castle Park 金沢城公園, situated next to Kenrokuen are the two most famous cherry blossom viewing spots in Kanazawa city. Approximately 420 cherry trees in Kenrokuen Garden and 350 in Kanazawa Castle Park burst into bloom in spring.

Cherry Blossom Forecast (as of 09Feb15)
Opening: 04Apr
Estimated Best Viewing: 07Apr-12Apr

Pics. © Kanazawa City

Niigata　新潟
Niigata City is the largest among the cities situated on the Sea of Japan side of Honshu.  Niigata is proud of its rich variety of wonderful foods, such as the plentiful seafood nurtured by the Sea of Japan and freshwater fish from the large river, and vegetables and fruit gown in the fertile soil. Niigata rice, sake and seafood are particularly well known. 

Nagano　長野
Nagano, in the northern part of Nagano Prefecture, is located at the basin of the Chikuma-gawa River 千曲川 that runs through the Zenko-ji-daira Plateau. It developed as a temple town for Zenko-ji Temple 善光寺, that is said to have been built at the beginning of the 7th century.  Chuo-dori Street, which stretches from the Zenko-ji-guchi Square of Nagano Station, is one of the city's main streets. 

Matsumoto　松本
Matsumoto, situated almost right in the center of Nagano and known as the gate to the Northern Alps' climbing routes, prospered as a castle town at the foot of Matsumoto Castle.  Matsumoto Castle is one of Japan’s premier historic castles (Designated as a National Treasure along with Inuyama Castle, Hikone Castle,  Nijo Castle and Himeji Castle). The building is also known as the ‘Crow Castle’ due to its black exterior.  

Toyama　富山
Over the years, the city has become known nationwide as a town of medicine. Toyama City's rich nature, with water and greenery, is another asset that the city can boast.  The city now has been flourished as a city on the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route 立山黒部アルペンルートand the gateway to the Kurobe Valley 黒部峡谷.

Gero　下呂
Gero hot spring is surrounded by rich nature and has been known as a hot spring resort since the 10th century. It is considered one of the three best hot springs in Japan along with Kusatsu and Arima. 

Pics. ©Gifu Prefecture Tourism Federation

Can't wait for spring to come. - - - Matsukawa River Park 松川公園
Matsukawa River Park in Toyama city-Toyama prefecture, known as one of the Best 100 Cherry Blossom Viewing Spots in Japan, attracts throngs of visitors in spring. 
There are about 500 cherry trees lining the riverbanks and the length reaches 3.5 km.　A leisurely boat ride downstream through a tunnel of cherry blossoms will no doubt make for a lifelong memory.

Cherry Blossom Forecast (as of 11Feb15)
Opening: 03Apr
Estimated Best Viewing: 06Apr-11Apr

Photo ©Toyama Prefectural Tourism Association

Can't wait for spring to come. - - - Asuwa River & Asuwa-yama Park 足羽山公園、福井市
It is worth walking along the Asuwa River that flows through the center of Fukui City, Fukui Prefecture. There is a long colonnade of 600 cherry trees. In spring it creates a magnificent walk through the 2.2 km tunnels of cherry blossoms in full bloom.
Asuwa-yama Park is located in the middle of Mt. Asuwa-yama, which is 116.8 m high. The park boasts 3,500 cherry trees. In spring the cherry blossoms cover the entire mountain. 
Both of Asuwa River and Asuwa-yama Park are known as the Best 100 Cherry Blossom Viewing Spots in Japan.

Cheery Blossom Forecast (as of 11Feb15)
Opening: 03Apr
Estimated Best Viewing: 06Apr-11Apr

Photo ©Fukui Prefectural Tourism Federation