Kawagoe Shingashi River

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The Shingashi River in Kawagoe is one of Japan’s most picturesque cherry blossom spots, where visitors can capture an iconic scene: a wooden paddle boat drifting beneath a canopy of pink blooms, guided by a boatman in a traditional happi coat and sugegasa hat. Planted in 1957 by the grieving owner of Kameya Eisen (a shop founded in 1783), the 100 surviving Homarezakura trees ("Honorable Cherry Blossoms") honor war dead, including his two sons lost in WWII. Each spring, their petals blanket the river in a breathtaking pink haze, while at night, they are lit with lanterns. Though not part of Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, the sakura’s proximity ties them to the shrine’s serene atmosphere. Stretching 500 meters, the blossoms create a dreamlike tunnel, drawing photographers and romantics alike.