Your Guide to the Sakura Season in Japan
Cherry blossom season has become synonymous with Japan. Every spring, parks, temples and mountainsides burst into bloom, drawing visitors from around the world hoping to catch one of nature’s most spectacular displays. It’s beautiful, yes, but it’s also deeply woven into Japanese culture, making it one of the best times to visit Japan.
Many of our Japan tours include departures timed to coincide with the blossom. So, whether you’re planning your first trip or returning to see a different side of the country, here’s everything you need to know before traveling during sakura season.
When is Cherry Blossom Season in Japan?
Cherry blossom season in Japan usually runs from late March to early April, though timing varies by region. The blooms first appear in the warmer south before sweeping north, reaching Hokkaido in late April or early May. Japan’s Meteorological Agency publishes the annual cherry blossom forecasts tracking the famous sakura front with maps so you can follow the blossoms across the country. It’s also when Japan’s centuries-old tradition of hanami begins, as parks and gardens fill with people.
What is Hanami?
Hanami, which translates simply as ‘flower viewing ‘, is a popular Japanese springtime custom. As cherry trees come into bloom, families, friends and colleagues gather beneath the blossom for picnics, celebrations and quiet moments. It’s a chance to pause and appreciate the beauty of the season together.
How Long Do Cherry Blossoms Last?
Cherry blossoms are fleeting by nature, which is part of their magic. The cherry blossom season unfolds across Japan from late March into early May, sweeping north through the country. That means there’s a surprisingly long window to experience sakura, whether you’re exploring Tokyo and Kyoto in early spring or heading further north later in the season.
Once the trees reach full bloom, however, the flowers usually last around a week before the petals begin to drift away. Weather plays a big part – warm temperatures, wind, or rain may shorten the display. As the blossom front moves north through Japan, though, you can time your trip to enjoy nature’s spectacle at its best.
How Far in Advance Should I Book a Cherry Blossom Trip?
Cherry blossom season is one of Japan’s busiest travel periods, so we recommend booking your small-group adventure around seven to nine months in advance.
Our spring departures are very popular and often fill up quickly, so booking early gives you the best choice of dates. To make planning even easier, we’ve highlighted our special cherry blossom departures on our website, so you can choose trips timed for the best chance of experiencing Japan’s spectacular sakura season.
Where are the Best Places to See the Cherry Blossom in Japan?
Although sakura can be found right across Japan, some places lend themselves particularly well to spring. Whether it’s blossom framing centuries-old temples, softening mountain landscapes or reflected in tranquil gardens, these are some of our favorite places to experience sakura season.
1. Arashiyama, Kyoto
Nestled beneath Kyoto’s forested mountains, Arashiyama is where bamboo groves, temple gardens and the Katsura River come together, creating one of the city’s most scenic districts. In the springtime, the mountains are illuminated in a pink glow when the sakura is in full bloom.
On our Highlights of Japan trip, you visit the Nonomiya Shrine and the Ryoan-ji and Kinkaku-ji temples as well as the famous Togetsukyo Bridge, one of the most famous sites for admiring the cherry blossom.
See the blossoms on:
Highlights of Japan
Uncover the cultural highlights of Japan on this eight-day trip
2. Nara Park, Nara
With approximately 1,700 cherry trees bursting in shades of pink every spring, Nara Park is one of the most celebrated places to experience sakura. The park’s famous wild sika deer seem just as at home beneath the blossom as the locals enjoying hanami.
Our Ancient and Modern Japan trip lets you explore the highlights of this ancient capital, including the UNESCO-listed Todaiji Temple and the Kasuga Shinto Shrine. In stark contrast to the natural and ancient sites of Nara, you also visit the Gion district of Kyoto, ride on a high-speed bullet train, and explore the bustling city streets of Tokyo.
See the blossoms on:
Ancient & Modern Japan
Explore Zen gardens, temples and the most iconic sights of Japan
3. Miyajima Island, Hiroshima
Few sights are as recognisable as the floating torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine. Visit in spring, and cherry blossom frames the shrine and the island’s peaceful trails, adding another layer of color to this UNESCO World Heritage site. Both our Highlights of Japan and Ancient and Modern Japan adventures include time to explore Miyajima, where sacred shrines, coastal views and free-roaming deer make it easy to linger a little longer.
See the blossoms on:
Highlights of Japan
Uncover the cultural highlights of Japan on this eight-day trip
4. Kenrokuen Garden, Kanazawa
No trip to Japan during sakura season is complete without visiting Kenrokuen Garden, where more than 400 varieties of cherry blossom trees form a stunning pink canopy. The wooden flower-viewing bridge, known as hanami-bashi, looks across tranquil ponds and landscaped gardens, making it one of Kanazawa’s finest places to experience sakura.
You can visit Kenrokuen on our Cycling Japan and Ancient & Modern Japan trip. One reaches the garden through Japan’s peaceful countryside and the UNESCO-listed village of Shirakawa-go; the other pairs it with Kanazawa’s samurai districts, offering a fascinating glimpse into Japan’s history.
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Cycling in Japan
Cycle the land of the Samurai; temples, geishas and incredible Tokyo and Kyoto
5. Fushimi Inari Taisha Shinto Shrine, Kyoto
During our Ancient & Modern Japan, you visit Fushimi Inari Taisha, one of Japan’s most recognisable shrines, famed for its tunnels of vermilion torii gates that wind up Mount Inari. Dedicated to Inari, the Shinto deity of rice, prosperity and good fortune, the shrine has welcomed worshippers for more than 1,300 years.
In spring, cherry blossom softens the surrounding woodland and offers a striking contrast to the vivid reds of the gates. It’s a fleeting contrast that makes one of Kyoto’s busiest landmarks feel altogether different.
See the blossoms on:
Ancient & Modern Japan
Explore Zen gardens, temples and the most iconic sights of Japan
6. Haradani-En Garden, Kyoto
On our Ancient and Modern Japan trip, you visit Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), the 14th-century Zen temple famed for its gold leaf-covered pavilion reflected in Mirror Pond, before heading to nearby Haradani-En Garden. Privately owned, the garden opens to the public during its peak seasonal displays, including cherry blossom season, when hundreds of flowering cherry trees burst into bloom across its terraced hillside.
With dozens of varieties of cherry trees flowering at slightly different times, Haradani-En enjoys a longer blossom season than many of Kyoto’s parks. The result is a tapestry of white, pale pink and deep rose blooms that unfolds over several weeks.
See the blossoms on:
Ancient & Modern Japan
Explore Zen gardens, temples and the most iconic sights of Japan
Ready to experience Japan in bloom? Explore our collection of Japan tours, including departures timed to coincide with cherry blossom season, and discover the country at one of its most rewarding times of year.
