Find out the best times to view cherry blossoms and the places where you can see them.
One of Japan’s favorite cultural traditions is cherry blossom festivals. Visitors from around the globe come to Japan every year during Spring Festival season in order to view the cherry blossoms. Instagram is flooded with beautiful pictures of cherry blossoms in Japan within days of their opening.
Best time to see Cherry Blossoms in Japan
Cherry blossoms bloom at different times each year because they are weather-dependent. Travelers flock to Japan every Spring to witness the cherry trees bloom.
The majority of festivals are held between March and may, but they offer more than cherry blossoms. The majority of festivals include live music, crafts, and food stalls. Some even have tea ceremonies under the cherry blossoms.
If you want to get an idea of when cherry trees will start blooming, look back at festival dates from the past five years and take the average.
Best places to see Cherry Blossoms in Japan
The cherry blossoms symbolize renewal, hope and spring. Follow our suggestions for best places to view cherry blossoms once you’ve received your Visa for Japan.
Cherry blossoms are not only found in parks, but also along the boulevards of many cities and towns. These cities usually have cherry blossom festivals around the time the trees bloom.
Do you want to be part of the celebrations? We’ve selected the best places in Japan to view cherry blossoms, as well as the most popular cherry blossom festivals.
YOSHINO KANSAI
Yoshino, a small town in Japan, is called the Cherry Blossom Capital. The small town of Yoshino is quite busy in cherry blossom season. Accommodation is usually booked well in advance because it attracts thousands of tourists and has a limited amount of accommodation.
It’s easy to take a short day trip, either from Nara or Osaka.
Yoshino’s best season is from the middle of April to early May every year. Check a cherry blossom forecast for more exact dates.
HIROSAKI CASTLE, TOHOKU
Hirosaki makes a good choice if you’re looking to avoid crowds. The park is popular but it also has a huge area, covering over 50 hectares. This keeps the place from being crowded.
Hirosaki castle is one of Japan’s most visited tourist destinations. However, all that is left today is the 200 year old keep.
Cherry trees line the moats of the castle, and there are beautiful bridges that arch over the water. The walkways are lined with flowers such as tulips, irises and other varieties.
Hirosaki has over 2,500 cherry tree, which makes for an immersive experience of cherry blossoms.
CHUBU, FUJI 5 LAKES
Arakurayama Sengen-koen Park is located in Fuji-Yoshida a town at the foot of Mt Fuji. It has almost 700 Sakura trees.
Fuji Five Lakes photos are stunning, as you would expect, especially with Mt Fuji and Chureito Pagoda framed in front. You’ve probably seen this photo before. It combines 3 of the things Japan is famous for into one image.
Cherry blossoms are best seen in Fuji Five Lakes from mid-March to early May.
KYOTO
Kyoto has a rich history dating back to 700s. The architecture of the city, which was once the Imperial City of Japan and is rich in culture, reflects its past.
Kyoto is home to many beautiful cherry blossom viewing spots, so it’s hard to choose just one.
Maruyama Park (Maruyama Park), in Kyoto, is the place where you can see the most cherry blossoms.
In the middle of Gion Park, you will see the Gionshidare-zakura (“Weeping Cherry” in English). It is more than 10 metres tall and illuminated at night. Cherry trees line the nearby Shirakawa Canal, which is also lit at night.
The Weeping Cherry of Gion may be the most beautiful cherry tree in Japan, but there are also over 700 others in bloom. It is a wonderful place to visit.
TOKYO
Tokyo has thousands of cherry blossom trees, which attracts thousands of tourists. The blooms last for a few weeks.
Yoyogi-koen in Tokyo is a lively, exciting place where you can enjoy the cherry blossoms. This sprawling, large area is located in downtown Tokyo. It’s a popular picnic spot for people during cherry blossom season.
Visit the breathtakingly beautiful Shinjuku Gyoen if you are a photographer or videographer.
Nakameguro, Tokyo’s most popular neighborhood to see cherry blossoms with its many streets lined with trees.
OSAKA
Osaka, Japan is one of the most charming cities in the world.
Cherry trees in this area bloom much later than other areas of Japan.
The best time of year to see cherry blossoms is usually the third week in March. Around April 1, the blossoms are in full bloom.
Osaka Castle, with its beautiful garden surrounding it, is the perfect place to enjoy cherry blossoms. It is an impressive piece of Japanese medieval architecture, which photographs beautifully against light pink or even white cherry blossoms. The area is well-known for.
HIMEJI CASTLÉ, KANSAI
Himeji Castle can be reached by train in just four hours from Tokyo, which is convenient for many visitors.
It was only in 2015 that the castle re-opened for visitors, and it quickly became popular among both tourists and residents.
Senhimebotanen Garden, Nishnomaru Grounds has free and payed areas.
MATSUMAE PARK, HOKKAIDO
Hokkaido, Japan’s northmost island, is home to the country’s most northern castle at Matsumae Park. Over 10,000 trees with over 250 different varieties of flowers are found here. Matsumae Park’s viewing season is long until April due to the variety of blossoms that bloom in different seasons.
It is a beautiful sight to see the castle illuminated in the night.
Matsumae Park can be easily accessed from the center of Tokyo.