Experience a piece of Japan at Taiwan's largest cherry blossom festival!
Starting in February, the Formosan cherry blossom festival is definitely one event you'll want to check out if you're in Taiwan for the cherry blossom season! Located in Formosan Culture Village, this is Taiwan's largest festival with over 5,000 cherry blossom trees in the park.
Making it even more special, Formosan Culture Village is the only cherry blossom viewing spot in the world outside of Japan that's certified by the nation! Read on for more information about the Formosan cherry blossom festival and how you can experience a piece of Japan while in Taiwan!
Formosan cherry blossom festival checklist
- Travelling by Taiwan High-Speed Rail - Alight at Taichung
- Travelling by car - Drive to Taichung/Nantou
- Nearby attractions - Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village Day Trip
- Nearby accommodation - Fleur de Chine Hotel | Sun Moon Lake Blue Sky Bay B&B
Formosan cherry blossom festival information
Image by Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village
- Festival period (including Taiwan's first nighttime cherry blossom event): 6 February to 6 March
- 🌸 Yae sakura (八重櫻) blooms: Early to mid February
- 🌸 Yoshino sakura (吉野櫻)blooms: Mid February
- 🌸 Fuji sakura (富士櫻) blooms: Late February
Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village information
- 📍 No. 45, Jintian Lane, Yuchi Township, Nantou County | 南投縣魚池鄉金天巷 45 號
- Opening hours: 9.30am - 5pm (weekdays) | 9.30am - 5.30pm (weekends)
- Formosan cherry blossom festival: 6 February to 5 March
- Opening hours during cherry blossom season: 9.30am - 7pm on weekdays & public holidays
- Tickets: From $39
Formosan cherry blossom festival must-do activities
Besides the multiple cherry blossom viewing areas within the village grounds like Sakura Avenue, there are also many Japanese-themed activities like Asakusa rickshaw rides, a love shrine, Hanami experience and more, providing you with a truly romantic sakura experience!
1. Cherry blossom viewing spots
The biggest highlight of the Formosan cherry blossom festival is the multiple exhibition areas that you can find around the village grounds with cherry blossom trees in full bloom! What's more, Kimono rental services are also provided during the festival, allowing you to really feel like you're in Japan.
#KlookTip: Check out these must-visit spots: Cherry Blossom Rainbow (櫻花彩虹), Guanshan Building (觀山樓), Cherry Blossom Lake (櫻花湖), TianLi Garden (天理園)
2. Night cherry blossom event
Enjoy the magical view of cherry blossoms at night! | Image by Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village
特色賞櫻行程「夜櫻」｜Source: 九族文化村提供
If you think that the sea of pink petals during the day is amazing, you need to check out the park at night, with beautiful lighting effects creating a magical spotlight on the cherry blossoms.
As night falls and the lights slowly light up around the village grounds, the image of pink cherry blossoms reflects from the surface of the lake like a mirror, creating a sense of bliss for all who see it!
- Opening hours during cherry blossom season: 9.30am - 7pm on weekdays & public holidays
- 📍North of Cherry Blossom Avenue: Cherry Blossom Forest (櫻花林), Cherry Blossom Lake (櫻花湖), Spanish Coast (西班牙海岸), Happy World (歡樂世界), European Garden (歐洲花園)
3. Night cherry blossom lighting ceremony
Led by the high priest and dancers, join in the festivities by carrying the lanterns used to unveil the night cherry blossom viewing event!
- Time: 5.30pm
- 📍Maya Plaza (馬雅廣場)
4. Night dance festival
Only available during the Formosan cherry blossom festival, enjoy a spectacular exotic dance and fire performance during the night cherry blossom event.
- Time: 6.20pm
- 📍Cultural Square (文化廣場)
5. Taiko drum performance
Taiko Drum Performers | Image by Formosan cherry blossom festival official website
Follow the groove of the Taiko drum performers as they passionately drum out the beauty of spring and the cherry blossom through the beat of their drums!
- Time: 12pm, 2.15pm, 4pm
- 📍Maya Plaza (馬雅廣場)
6. YOSAKOI dance performance
Experience the charm of Japanese festivals with the YOSAKOI dance performance that originated from the Sapporo spring festival in Hokkaido.
- Time: 4.10pm
- 📍Interstellar Plaza (星際廣場)
7. Cherry blossom folk dance performance
Image by Formosan cherry blossom festival official website
Enjoy this nostalgic song and dance performance under the cherry trees that will leave a special feeling in your heart!
- Time: 5.30pm
- 📍Sakura lake (櫻花湖畔)
Besides enjoying the cherry blossoms and performances at the Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village, there are also some popular nearby attractions to visit while you're in the area. Enjoy a cable car ride to the Sun Moon Lake and enjoy the romantic scenery of cherry blossoms set against the sparkling waters of the lake!
Cherry Blossom Market
Yatai BBQ Street (屋台燒烤街)
Enjoy delicious Japanese BBQ and more snacks at Yatai BBQ street | Image by Formosan cherry blossom festival official website
Must-try dishes: Lava Rock Hotplate (熔岩燒), Japanese Takoyaki (日式章魚燒), Grilled Squid (魷魚燒烤)
- 📍Maya Pavilion (馬雅館)
Yukata dressing experience
Choose from a variety of colourful yukatas to experience an authentic Japanese cherry blossom viewing experience.
- 📍Maya Pavilion (馬雅館)
Love Shrine
Looking to take your relationship to the next level? Stop by the Love Shrine for some good fortune or to pick up a blessing bell or two.
- 📍 Sakura no Yokocho (櫻の橫丁)
Japanese themed street stalls
Explore the various Japanese themed stalls that are around the cherry blossom market | Image by Formosan cherry blossom festival official website
Stroll through the cherry blossom market and pick up some souvenirs and popular Japanese products that are only available during the cherry blossom season!
- 📍Maya Pavilion (馬雅館)
How to get to Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village
By Bus
You can take the bus from either Taichung or Nantou to get to Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village.
- From Taichung: You can take the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Bus 6670 (Sun Moon Lake Route) from the following boarding points: Taichung Railway Station, Daqing Railway Station, Taichung High-Speed Rail Station, and Puli Transfer Station. For more detailed route information, please visit the website.
- From Nantou: Take the Nantou Bus 6665 / 6667, which departs from the "Puli Bus Station"
- From other cities in Taiwan: Take the intercity bus to Puli, and then transfer to the above Nantou Bus routes
By Taiwan Railways Administration
Take the train from any station islandwide and depart at Taichung or Xinwuri Station, and then transfer to the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Bus 6670 (Sun Moon Lake Line). Alight at the Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village stop.
By Taiwan High-Speed Rail
Take the Taiwan High-Speed Rail from any station islandwide and get off at Taichung HSR Station, transfer to the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Bus 6670 (Sun Moon Lake Line). Alight at the Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village stop.
By Car
If you would like a more scenic experience, you can also rent a car via Klook and drive to the Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village from the Taichung HSR Station!
North Taiwan Southbound Route
- National Freeway No. 3 (Formosa Freeway): Take the Wufeng System Interchange ➜ National Freeway No. 6 (heading east) ➜ Ailan Interchange ➜ Taiwan Provincial Highway No. 14 ➜ Taiwan Provincial Highway No. 21 (heading to Yuchi) ➜ County Road No. 131 ➜ Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village.
- National Highway No. 1 (Zhongshan Highway): Changhua System Interchange ➜ National Highway No. 3 ➜ Wufeng System Interchange ➜ National Highway No. 6 (eastbound) ➜ Airan Interchange exit ➜ Provincial Highway No. 14 ➜ Provincial Highway No. 21 (towards Yuchi) ➜ County Road No. 131 ➜ Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village"
South Taiwan Northbound Route
- National Highway No. 3 (Formosa Freeway): Exit at Zhushan Interchange ➜ Take Provincial Highway No. 3 (in the direction of Mingjian) ➜ Turn onto Provincial Highway No. 16 (passing through Jiji and Shuili) ➜ Then take Provincial Highway No. 21 (passing through Sun Moon Lake) or County Road No. 131 (passing through Yuchi) ➜ Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village.
- National Highway No. 1 (Sun Yat-sen Freeway): Yunlin System Interchange ➜ Take Provincial Highway No. 78 (heading east) ➜ GuKeng System Interchange ➜ National Highway No. 3 (heading north) ➜ Zhushan Interchange ➜ Take Provincial Highway No. 3 (in the direction of Mingjian) ➜ Turn onto Provincial Highway No. 16 (passing through Jiji and Shuili) ➜ Then take Provincial Highway No. 21 (passing through Sun Moon Lake) or County Road No. 131 (passing through Yuchi) ➜ Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village
- National Highway No. 3 (Formosa Freeway): Wufeng System Interchange ➜ National Highway No. 6 (heading east) ➜ Airan Interchange ➜ Take Provincial Highway No. 14 ➜ Then take Provincial Highway No. 21 (heading towards Yuchi) ➜ County Road No. 131 ➜ Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village
