Best place to see sakura in April?

Hi, I will be going to Japan on 14th April 2008. Wondering where is the best place to catch Sakura blooming? Many Tks. EC.

You will have to look at places like Sendai, Morioka or even Hirosaki. The Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival runs from April 23rd thru May 5th. If you should go to Hirosaki, please note that the last week of the festival is Golden Week.

I plan to go to Hanamiyama Koen in Fukushima near Sendai to enjoy the cherry blossoms around April 14. I've never been there myself but have seen pictures. It seems like a great place for sakura viewing.

Mt. Yoshino in Nara will be a peak when you go (a little later than in Nara city, Kyoto, Osaka etc.) There are more than 30,000 cherry trees there:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4150.html

Fukushima sounds good. I'm also thinking about Saigyo Modoshi No Matsu near Matsushima, around April 16-17.

Would Nikko also be a good spot on these days? It's higher up, so the flowers bloom later. Plus, it's in the middle of Yayoi Matsuri.

I would go to Takayama, nice small town, great food.

Thank you very much. EC

Can't tell exactly when they blossom but there are a couple of
famous old cherry trees in Japan.
Jindai Zakura(Tanabashi), some thousand years old tree. I've seen it. Just breath taking! Very remote from the train station.

Usuzumi no Sakura(Gifu). Just awesome. Mysterious even.

Sorry I can't give you more detailed info.