A world of pink which only lasts for 2 weeks. Welcome to Japan during Cherry Blossom season! To put your mind to ease and to make sure you know everything about this country before and while you travel, we’ve come up with an in depth analysis of everything in this country so you make the best of your opportunity to travel during this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
1) When is the best time to visit Japan during Cherry Blossoms?
The Cherry Blossoms bloom once in a year and they last only for a period of two weeks. The typical bloom cycle is usually between March and April. We’ve given a more in depth breakdown of the predicted forecasts further below. And once the trees are in full bloom, they last for around two weeks.
The best two places to witness the cherry blossoms are in Tokyo and Kyoto. And they should be the mid-late March and early April. In case you do have the time, it’s best if you stay for around 10-14 days to be sure of catching these in their full bloom at their best. If it’s your first time to see the cherry blossoms, you should definitely try out Tokyo or Kyoto.
2) How long do cherry blossoms bloom?
The average peaks blossoms bloom for around 14 days. This usually starts in the beginning of April around 4th, but in the past cherry blossom occurrences have been witnessed as early as March 15th and even as late as April 18th.
3) Cherry Blossom Predicted Forecast for 2020
| Cities | Flowering | Full Bloom |
|---|---|---|
| Tokyo | March 21 | March 27 |
| Kyoto | March 27 | April 5 |
| Nagoya | March 22 | April 4 |
| Fukuoka | March 21 | April 4 |
| KYUSHU, SHIKOKU AND CHUGOKU: | ||
| Fukuoka | March 21 | March 29 |
| Kumamoto | March 26 | April 4 |
| Hiroshima | March 22 | April 3 |
| Matsuyama | March 22 | April 5 |
| Takamatsu | March 24 | April 4 |
| KANSAI: | ||
| Osaka | March 27 | April 4 |
| Nara | March 29 | April 5 |
| Yoshino | March 31 | April 12 |
| Kobe | March 29 | April 5 |
| KANTO AND CHUBU: | ||
| Nagoya | March 22 | April 4 |
| Yokohama | March 21 | April 1 |
| Kanazawa | April 1 | April 6 |
| Takayama | April 16 | April 24 |
| Fuji Five Lakes | April 7 | April 16 |
| Matsumoto | April 7 | April 14 |
| Kofu | March 27 | April 7 |
| Nagano | April 13 | April 18 |
| TOHOKU AND HOKKAIDO: | ||
| Fukushima | April 5 | April 8 |
| Sendai | April 5 | April 10 |
| Kitakami | April 17 | April 24 |
| Kakunodate | April 23 | April 29 |
| Hirosaki | April 19 | April 30 |
| Hakodate | April 30 | May 4 |
| Sapporo | May 2 | May 6 |
| Aomori (Aomori Prefecture) | April 18 | April 22 |
Disclaimer – The above estimates have been taken from Live Japan based on their analysis. However, given the high unpredictability of the occurrence of Cherry Blossoms, we do not guarantee the weather/forest above.
4) Where are the best spots in Japan for seeing the Cherry Blossoms?
Tokyo:
a) Ueno Park : This Park is famous for its cherry blossom blooms in Tokyo. The trees are even said to bloom a little earlier than most of the other places in Japan. It has been a popular sakura destination since the 16th century. This park is usually always crowded, so if possible, get there a bit earlier and pick your space.
b) Shinjuku Gyoen National Park : One of the best spots for cherry blossoms in Tokyo, a garden with an area of over 58 hectares. Over 1,100 Japanese cherry trees bloom here. The entry fee is 200 yen.
c) Chidorigafuchi : This is one of the most scenic spots for sakura in Tokyo. You could rent a boat and snap pictures up close of the blossoms. Or you could walk through the sakura tunnel in the evening where the trees are illuminated below the tinted lights. And the entry is free.
A few other touristic spots to view the Cherry blossoms aka sakura in Tokyo are: Sumida Park, Yoyogi Park, Meguro River, Koishikawa Botanical Garden, Inokashira Park.
Yokohama:
a) Sankeien Garden: This garden covers over 175,000 square meters which is well known for it’s seasonal beauty and the number of historic houses in the region which were built back in the 1400s. You’ll find a lot of bridges, streams, bamboo groves and ponds in this region.
b) Mitsuike Park: This is a special Korean garden in the middle of Japan. It contains two walking trains, tree ponds and with over 1500 cherry trees, it ensures a long cherry blossom season. The reflection from the ponds also make for spectacular photos. This place is also children friendly with slides and various obstacle course.
c) Negishi Forest Park: The less known park in Yokohama and one of the largest with a surface area covering around 1800 square meters. On a clear day, you can see Mt. Fuji. If you want to spend a few hours in this place, you should bring your own food, as there aren’t a lot of food stalls.
Kamakura:
a) Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine: This is the most important shrine and it’s in the geographical center of the city of Kamakura, Japan and also a lot of troil gates along the way. Flanking the main approach to the shire are two ponds, both representing two different clans. The pedestrian path in the center of Wakamiya Oji street is lined with several hundred cherry trees and there are no admission fee, just the museum which is around 200 yen.
b) Genjiyama Park: This park was built to celebrate the 800th anniversary of the Kamakura era. It’s quite well known for its hydrangeas, autumn leaves and of course, the cherry blossoms. The shrine is also a popular location for prayers for luck, academic success and marriages.
c) Kamakura Daibutsu: Also known as Kōtoku-in, this is a Bhuddist temple in the city of Kamakura. It is well known for its great Buddha statue which is around 11.4 meters tall and dates all the way back to 1252. Imagine getting to watch the cherry blossoms with the great Buddha.
Izu Peninsula:
a) Kawazu: This cherry blossom festival is held yearly from early February to March. It attracts around two million visitors annually as one of the earliest opportunities to witness the cherry blossoms close to Tokyo.
Night time illuminations are held as a part of this festival. There are over 8000 trees in this region.This region is only 2 and a half hours from Tokyo.
Fuji Five Lakes:
a) Chureito Pagoda: This is a five storied pagoda on the mountainside. It overlooks Mount Fuji in the distance. This was built as a peace memorial in 1963. Hundreds of cherry trees bloom during the cherry blossom season. The photos you get to click in this region are beautiful and brings out the idea of Japan, most of us have had. The experience you get to have here is spiritual.
b) Northern Shores of Kawaguchiko: The Lake Kawaguchiko is the most easily accessible of the Fuji five lakes with train or bus directly from Tokyo.
Mount Fuji is located in the western end and the best view of this majestic mountain can be viewed from the northern end. This area is also a great base to start your climb to Mount Fuji. There are also hot spring baths, various museums and amusement parks.
c) Ubuyagasaki Peninsula: A small group of cherry trees on the Ubuyagasaki Peninsula next to the Kawaguchiko Ohashi Bridge are particularly well placed for nice views of Mount Fuji in combination with Lake Kawaguchiko and cherry blossoms. Most of the images you find of Mt. Fuji in brochures and guidebooks are usually taken from this location.
The other options available are Iyashi no Sato and Oshino Hakkai.
Gunma Prefecture:
a) Takasaki Castle Ruins and Takasaki Park: The Takasaki castle ruins and the park have collectively about over 400 cherry trees. In and around the area, there’s also swell amount of space for picnics and parties meant for picnics and cherry blossom viewing parties. In and around the area, festival food stalls are set up around the park and the trees are lit up in the evenings.
b) Takasaki Kannonyama Park: Takasaki Kannonyama Park is a large, forested park in the mountains to the west of Takasaki’s city center. The park is home to a 42 meter high statue of Kannon, the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy, as well as a few hundred cherry trees. During the cherry blossom season every year, the park holds illuminations in the evenings.
c) Akagi Senbonzakura: Akagi Senbonzakura is located about halfway up Mount Akagi to the north of central Maebashi. It features a two kilometer long road lined with over 1000 cherry trees that form a beautiful cherry blossom tunnel when it blooms. Pink moss in the open fields beside the cherry trees also bloom at around the same time, combining with the cherry blossoms to provide breathtaking views of various hues of pink.
A few remaining areas are Shikishima Park and Maebashi Park.
Nagano Prefecture:
a) Matsumoto Castle: Matsumoto Castle is one of the most beautiful of Japan’s original castles. There are about 300 cherry trees planted around the castle moats and inside the paid inner grounds of the castle. The parks and the grounds are spacious and perfect for a stroll. This is a 5 minute bus ride from the JR Matsumoto Station.
b) Koboyama Park: Koboyama Park is a unique hill (actually an ancient kofun tomb) in southern Matsumoto City that is almost entirely covered by nearly 2000 cherry trees. The top of the park has views of the Japan Alps across the valley and there many nice spots for hanami picnics. Various flowers such as hydrangeas and lilies also bloom here. This makes it popular all throughout the year.
c) Joyama Park: Joyama Park is a medium sized park on the hills north of Matsumoto’s city center with some impressive rows of cherry trees and a lawn area. Here you can amongst a lot of other trees too, and you can even observe the platform which offers a panoramic view of Matsumoto.
Another location you could definitely check out are the Alps Park:
Niigata Prefecture:
Takada Castle: This beautiful spot has over 4000 cherry blossoms and they’re illuminated by lanterns at night. The Sakura Road is a path lined with cherry blossoms and the entire road is lit up and a variety of events are held here.
Kanazawa:
Kenrokuen: The season officially begins around the first week of April when the first cherry blossoms appear. The kenrokuen garden is amongst the top three garden landscapes in Japan and it offers visitors an amazing view throughout the year, which only gets better during the cherry blossom season. The admission into the garden is usually free and the opening times will be from 7 in the morning to around 9 in the night.
Nagoya:
a) Yamazakigawa Riverside: This comes up amongst few of the top 100 best cherry blossom viewing spots world wide. It has a 2.5 kilometer stretch of cherry blossoms along the river with their branches dipping towards the river surface below. Even though it’s popular at anytime of the year, the hanami season is one of a kind. The easiest way to get here is via the Mizuho Undojo Nishi Station.
b) Nagoya Castle: This is a must visit sightseeing and popular cherry blossom spot in Nagoya. There are over a thousand cherry blossoms in this area. It’s beautiful in the day time and at night the streets are covered with light. The traditional Japanese music, the sound of the birds, away from the human, makes this place something you cannot miss.
c) Tsuruma Park: This park is famous for its cherry blossoms. There are over 750 cherry blossoms in this park.
This is a well known destination for couples and family. This public park offers many food stands and a ton of space for cherry blossom viewing using these beautiful trees.
Another place you could check out in Nagoya is that Nagoya Peace Park.
Hikone:
Hikone Castle: Over 1,100 cherry blossoms light up this area around the castle making this castle absolutely beautiful at this time of the year. The nighttime lighting is always a popular event. Or you could catch a pleasure boat and travel around the castle moat for another view. And as always the nighttime light-up of these cherry blossoms during full bloom is another experience as compared to the one you had in the morning.
Kyoto:
a) Philosopher’s Path: This is a pleasant stone path through the northern part of Kyoto’s Higashiyama district. The path follows a canal which is lined by hundreds of cherry trees. When these cherry trees explode during the cherry blossom festival, it makes this one of the most romantic cherry blossom spots in the city. This path is around 2 kilometers long. Nishida Kitaro, one of Japan’s most famous philosophers, was said to practice meditation while walking this route everyday, hence the same.
b) Maruyama Park: This is a public park in the Higashiyama District. When the cherry blossoms bloom, the park becomes one of the most popular destinations in Kyoto. The main attraction is the weeping cherry tree, shidarezakura, in the middle of the park which gets lit up at night.
c) Arashiyama peak: A large number of temples and shrines are scattered widely across this area. You can deeply appreciate the scenic beauty of this region. Over 1,500 cherry blossom trees are planted along Katsuragawa River and it is illuminated at night. This place is really close and is just a 13 minute walk from the Saga-Arashiyama Station.
A few of the other well known places in this region are Heian Shrine, Haradani-en Garden and Okazaki Canal.
Osaka:
a) Kema Sakuranomiya Park: In case you do decide to visit Osaka during the cherry blossom season, this should be amongst your first few destinations. You can get to this park by train from Osaka station. This par stretches along the river banks.
The walk in the direction of the Osaka castle is ideal and the entire journey takes around 40 minutes. And with the number of cherry blossoms in the region, this is really pretty. And something you cannot miss.
b) Osaka Mint Bureau: With over 300 trees which bloom a bit later as compared to most of the other places in Japan, the gates of the garden are opened to the general public for one week in the mid April when the cherry trees are in full bloom. It’s a ten minute walk from the Temmabashi station.
c) Osaka Castle: A land with over 4000 cherry trees planted all along the grounds of this, it’s a particularly nice place for a picnic. You could also check out the castle’s western citadel with wide lawns and the views of the castle tower in the evening is really pretty when they light up the entire area. The entry fee is free except in the evening when it lights up, it’s 350 yen.
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