Courtesy of Hakone Estate and Gardens
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Senior Staff Writer
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March 15, 2026
Hundreds of Bay Area landscapes burst into bloom this spring, but we have our eye on a unique cherry blossom event happening at Hakone Gardens in Saratoga, California.
Hanami at Hakone offers a traditional nighttime cherry blossom viewing experience, where you can see 45 blooming cherry trees lit up at night like delicate, pale-pink lanterns.
Here’s a closer look…
Courtesy of Hakone Estate and Gardens
Hanami at Hakone 2025
Hanami Night Viewing
Roam Hakone’s 17 acres and see dozens of cherry trees lit up with strategically placed lighting, creating a new appreciation for the delicate translucent blossoms.
Night viewing is available from March 16th to April 3rd, 2026, but only on weekday nights from 6pm to 9:30pm. The experience requires a separate ticket from daytime admission, and availability is limited.
Hanami Day Viewing
You can also see the garden’s cherry trees in full bloom during daylight hours. While the trees will not be lit up, it’s a lovely way to experience the gardens, especially on a sunny day. The daytime viewing follows Hakone’s regular daytime hours and admission prices.
Courtesy of Hakone Estate and Gardens
What is Hanami?
Hanami is the Japanese tradition of “flower viewing,” especially when referring to cherry blossoms which are prevalent throughout Japan. Cherry blossoms, known as sakura, symbolize renewal, hope, and the arrival of spring in Japanese culture.
This tradition of nighttime cherry blossom viewing is called yozakura, and it’s another common way to experience the flowers’ beauty in Japan. We’re lucky to have a garden nearby offering this dazzling nighttime experience, as the glowing flowers are a sight to behold.
More about the Hakone Estate and Gardens
Originally built in 1915 as a private summer residence, Hakone Estate and Gardens is now a public park run by the city of Saratoga. The sprawling 17-acre garden is one of the Western Hemisphere’s oldest authentic Japanese gardens. Visitors are invited to observe the meditative Dry Garden with raked gravel and mosses, follow the Tea Garden path over moss and stepping stones, and marvel at the beauty of the longstanding Bamboo Garden.
It’ll take you about 50 minutes to reach Hakone Gardens by car from San Francisco.
🌐 Website: Hakone Estate and Gardens
📍 Location: 21000 Big Basin Wy, Saratoga, CA 95070