The streets of Japan will be linked with gorgeous pink petals during cherry blossom season.
Ah, the famous cherry blossom season in Japan, the epitome of springtime beauty. Aside from creating stunning landscapes, sakura or cherry blossoms also symbolise a time of renewal and the fleeting nature of beauty. They only bloom for a couple of weeks in a year, so there’s no wonder that locals and tourists alike hurry to snap photos of the ethereal season!
Want to experience it for yourself? Read on and see how you can experience cherry blossom season in Japan. Oh, and you might even find out how to see the iconic pink petals off-season!
When is cherry blossom season in Japan?
Cherry blossom season starts at different times across various regions of Japan. Credits: Akira Deng on Unsplash
Cherry blossom season generally takes place from late March to early May. However, each region will have its own shorter season, which is typically a couple of weeks. As Japan is a long, skinny country, it can experience a vast array of weather conditions simultaneously, affecting the timing of the blooms.
If you’re lucky enough to be visiting Japan at the tail-end of the skiing season, you may be fortunate enough to also tag on to the cherry blossom season as well. As the weather warms up, the flowers will show their sweet little pink faces, starting with the warmest areas and finishing up in Hokkaido late in the season, at the very end of April and beginning of May.
Confused? Or didn’t realise there were so many places to see cities turn pink with sakura fever? Well, let’s start at the beginning of the season and work our way to the end, based on the earliest flowering date and the peak blooming date for each location. We’ll also throw in a few handy hints on what else you can get up to once you’ve had your fill of cherry blossoms. You can thank us later!
What is the best month to see cherry blossoms in Japan?
Tokyo gets the first signs of cherry blossom season.
Cherry blossoms bloom as spring in Japan starts. However, the country’s northernmost region, Hokkaido, will be the last to experience this. If you’re going to this region, then you should go around late April to May. For most of Japan, the peak pink season is from late March to late April.
Fun fact: the Shibazakura Festival also happens around this time in Yamanashi. Check out the insanely pink fields of shibazakura (a type of cherry blossom that grows on lawns rather than trees) on the Mt. Fuji Flower Festival Tour!
You can also explore the legendary Mount Fuji further with a hike. Here’s all you need to know about climbing Mount Fuji:
What is the cherry blossom forecast for Japan in 2023?
Tokyo will be among the first cities to experience cherry blossoms, with the flowers expected to bloom around March 22 and peak on March 30. Meanwhile, the cherry blossoms in Kyoto and Osaka are expected to bloom on March 27 and March 28, respectively, with both cities reaching their peak blooming time on April 5.
How long do the cherry blossoms last in Japan?
The relatively short period in which cherry blossoms bloom makes the season special. A week after kaika or the first blossom, mankai or full bloom is finally reached. Another week after that, the blossoms will start falling from the trees, creating that snow-like shower of petals. This means you have at most three weeks to enjoy the cherry blossoms each year!
Where are the best places to see cherry blossoms in Japan?
1. Tokyo and surrounding areas
Tokyo gets a taste of the cherry blossoms first! Credits: @globetrottingpeanuts on Instagram
- Tokyo – begins 19 March / peaks 27 March
- Fukuoka – begins 20 March / peaks 29 March
- Kumamoto – begins 20 March / peaks 29 March
- Nagoya – begins 21 March / peaks 30 March
- Hiroshima – begins 22 March / peaks 1 April
- Matsuyama – begins 23 March / peaks 3 April
- Kofu – begins 23 March / peaks 30 March
- Kyoto – begins 23 March / peaks 1 April
- Yokohama – begins 24 March / peaks 1 April
- Osaka – begins 25 March / peaks 1 April
- Kobe – begins 25 March / peaks 3 April
Cherry blossoms are set to spring out into the open in the week of 19 to 25 March this year. As we approach peak cherry blossom viewing season, areas in Japan's eastern, central-western, central, and south-western regions will begin to see pastel pink petals forming.
The sheer number of viewing locations is good news for those attending during this time, as crowds can easily spread throughout these diverse locations.
A few of our fave things to do include a walking tour of Tokyo, taking in some of the best places that are populated with cherry blossoms, such as Ueno Park, a visit to Osaka Castle, where the jagged hodge-podge of the castle wall juxtaposes fantastically with the perfect pink petals skimming along it; and Itsukushima Shrine at Hiroshima, best viewed from afar and framed by the cherry blossoms for a quintessentially Japanese moment.
2. Nara and Kanzawa
Nara and Kanzawa are blessed with nature spots ideal for cherry blossom season.
- Nara – begins 27 March / peaks 3 April
- Kanazawa – begins 1 April / peaks 7 April
Two of the most popular places to view the cherry blossoms are Nara and Kanazawa and it’s no coincidence that both of these places feature some of the most picturesque attractions.
The architecture of Mount Yoshino dotted with cherry blossoms makes a postcard-perfect image. Credits: @korrokej on Instagram
Nara’s Mount Yoshino has an outstanding view of cherry blossoms flowing down the mountain like an unbridled horse on the run. The way they scatter throughout the other vegetation and the traditional architecture is like something from a picture book.
Meet the free-roaming deer of Nara Park as the cherry blossoms bloom. Credits: @mhartoto on Instagram
Nara Park is the perfect picture of nature with its flora and fauna. Credits: @tankensurujapan on Instagram
Nara is also home to Nara Park, a large public park that features tea houses, temples and, oh, just in excess of 1000 free-roaming deer that love humans. Just think, you could potentially break the internet with that shot of you, a deer and a sea of pink trees behind you so if you want to get as many likes as a Kardashian, now is your time.
Kanazawa looks like a city that was built for its cherry blossoms, and not the other way around. The way the trees complement the white-washed walls of Kanzawa Castle is a photographer’s dream and a very serene way to take in the sites.
3. Fukushima and Nagano
The Sakura or cherry blossoms are intricately beautiful up close.
- Fukushima – begins 5 April / peaks 10 April
- Nagano – begins 9 April / peaks 14 April
- Let’s get our Jon Snow on and venture north for a mid-season look at the cherry blossoms of Fukushima and Nagano.
These guys are weirdly not that close to each other but somehow share almost the same peak bloom dates. The best way to navigate this conundrum would be to work out what else there is on offer at each location and whether it’s up your alley. Or, you know, flip a coin?
Fukushima is a beautiful city with a dense and traumatic history. So, if you have an interest in global affairs or just want to see the inspirational beauty of nature, this is your place. Here, the trees are strewn up and down the mountainside in a rare and rugged display of this fascinating flora that usually lines streets, paths and canals.
Winter is longer in Nagano, so expect stunning wintery backdrops!
Nagano sits at a high elevation, which is why its season starts later. The cold of the winter takes longer to dissipate, and the flowers want to stay tucked in as long as possible. We never thought we would find a flower to be so relatable.
You can extend cherry blossom season in Japan by going from Tokyo to Nagano! Credits: @37frames on Instagram
Based in Tokyo but missed its cherry blossoms or just want a second hit? Take a day trip to Nagano, it’s only a train ride away! From Tokyo Station, just take the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Nagano Station, which should take about an hour and a half.
#KlookTip: Get access to this railway by getting your JR Passes.
4. Hokkaido
Hokkaido is the last region to receive cherry blossoms.
- Sapporo – beings 1 May / peaks 5 May
- Hakodate – begins 1 May / peaks 5 May
Finishing way up north, cherry blossom season in Japan enters its third month with a late display in Hokkaido. Peaking almost six weeks after the blooms are expected to arrive in Tokyo, the trees located on this island in the areas of Sapporo and Hakodate will be at their very best by 5 May.
Hokkaido is perfect for nature lovers and adrenaline junkies! Credits: korrokej on Instagram
Hokkaido is an exciting place for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike. It’s a little bit like Queenstown and attracts thrill-seekers, skiers and those who just want to marvel at its beauty. If you are basing yourself in Tokyo, you can also make a day trip out to Hokkaido for this special viewing experience. Goryokaku Fort is a must-visit for some of the best cherry blossoms in this area!
Chasing cherry blossoms around the country can certainly make you hungry, so why not spoil yourself with a visit to Michelin-starred restaurant, Ryotei Fumoto. The pristine setting will match the impeccable food you can enjoy for lunch or dinner as you celebrate successfully ticking ‘see the cherry blossoms in Japan’ off your bucket list.
What happens if you miss peak Cherry Blossom season?
The flowers have a two-week life cycle
If you can’t see the cherry blossoms in the week after they are in full bloom (i.e. the week where they will have an abundance of flowers and each flower will be chock full of petals), don’t worry too much. The flowers will not disappear completely but will merely be replaced with vibrant green leaves. This is called hazakura and signifies a farewell to spring and an oh heeeeey to the summer months.
Although there’s not a complete sea of pink, the trees still look spectacular with their budding green branches dotted with the strongest little flowers, who are squeezing as much life out as possible. A very worthy consolation prize if you simply cannot be around at prime time.
Not going to be in Japan any time close to spring?
The cherry trees’ leaves turns orange to red in autumn
If your travel plans ‘fall’ during September, October or November, you will be in Japan during autumn, which is the complete opposite of cherry blossom season. Instead of baby pink blooms, you will be treated with fiery red and orange trees, as the leaves turn in anticipation of winter.
So, whether it’s the first day in Tokyo that you’re keen on or a leisurely and less-crowded sojourn in Hokkaido that’s more your style, the short-lived cherry blossom season can actually work around your timeline and help you see some of the roads less travelled if you plan carefully. Cherry blossom season in Japan or not, you’re guaranteed picture-perfect nature views!
If you’re also interested in culture aside from nature, check out these ten interesting cultural experiences that you can’t miss in Japan:
Of course, we can’t leave furry friends out of the picture! Try these six ethical wildlife encounters exclusive to Japan:
Updated by: Rohana Monzon
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