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 symbolize a time of renewal and the fleeting nature of beauty. They only bloom for a couple of weeks in a year, so it’s no wonder that locals and tourists alike hurry to snap photos of the ethereal season!
If you don’t arrive exactly on time for peak bloom, though, no sweat! You can still find the iconic pink petals even during the off-season since cherry trees in certain areas can start flowering days or weeks before their peak bloom date.
Read on for more information on these locations and make the most of your springtime stay. 🌸
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 in Japan generally takes place from late March to early May. However, each region will have its own shorter season, typically lasting 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.
Cherry blossoms start blooming in warmer areas first. So, in southern regions like Okinawa away from the mainland, they actually start blooming as early as February!
Kagoshima on Kyushu island can even start seeing them by late January, so it’s best to have some wriggle space in your itinerary for some cherry blossom viewing. 😉
They finishup in Hokkaido late in the season, at the very end of April and the beginning of May.
Confused? Or didn’t realize 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 2025?
Japan Cherry Blossom Forecast 2025 released on 27 Feb 2025
For Japan cherry blossom season 2025, Tokyo will be among the first cities to experience cherry blossoms. The flowers are expected to bloom around 23 March and peak on 1 April.
With how many people will be coming to the city for the sakura season, it’s best to secure your accommodation ahead of time (you’ll get better deals, too 👀). If you’re looking for unique places to stay, you can try out Tokyo’s famous capsule hotels. Or, if you’re staying in popular areas like Shibuya, you can check out this blog for inspiration.
Meanwhile, the cherry blossoms in Kyoto and Osaka are expected to bloom on 29 March with both cities reaching their peak blooming time on 6 April and 5 April, respectively.
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 24 March / peaks 1 April
- Fukuoka – begins 25 March / peaks 3 April
- Kumamoto – begins 23 March / peaks 7 April
- Nagoya – begins 26 March / peaks 4 April
- Hiroshima – begins 27 March / peaks 5 April
- Matsuyama – begins 22 March / peaks 7 April
- Kyoto – begins 29 March / peaks 6 April
- Yokohama – begins 24 March / peaks 8 April
- Osaka – begins 29 March / peaks 5 April
Cherry blossoms are set to spring out into the open in the week of 23 to 28 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.
To avoid the crowds, consider taking a day trip from Tokyo to hidden gem cherry blossom spots around the area! One of our favorites is the Watarase River Valley, less than 2 hours away from Tokyo by car. Here, you can enjoy hanami amidst natural forest scenery without all the hustle and bustle.
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, 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 29 March / peaks 6 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. And if you’re looking for something off the beaten path, you can check out the Miho Museum. It’s an art museum in a quiet Edo-style town where you can view cherry blossoms from charming waterways and temples.
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 if you prefer more quiet spots to enjoy the sakura. Plus, Nara’s proximity to Kyoto and its famed Fushimi Inari Shrine (both can be visited in one day!) and ryokan scene make it a worthwhile trip.
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 3 April / peaks 14 April
- Nagano – begins 11 April / peaks 16 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 history. So, if you have an interest in global affairs or just want to see the inspirational beauty of nature, this is your place.
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.
Klook Tip: Get access to this railway by getting your JR Passes.
4. Hokkaido
Hokkaido is the last region to receive cherry blossoms.
- Sapporo – begins 23 April / peaks 1 May
- Hakodate – begins 21 April / peaks 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 1 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 when 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.
With fewer crowds around, you can take this opportunity to visit the places less traveled and explore Japan’s hidden gems — trust us, there are plenty.
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.
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.
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:
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