One of the most special things you can do during the spring season in Japan is to admire the pink blanket of sakura flowers spread over the entire country. Beyond enjoying the cool and pleasant weather, travelers from around the world share the excitement of viewing the seasonal cherry blossoms or experiencing hanami, the Japanese custom of viewing cherry blossoms.
The beauty and accessibility to these magical trees are fleeting, so here are a few of the best Japan cherry blossom tours you can book to catch a glimpse of the cherry blossoms in Japan.
Seeing the Cherry Blossoms from Tokyo
1. Kawazuzakura Cherry Blossom Festival
Try out new activities in the Kawazuzakura Festival while admiring the sakura! Credits: Klook
If you’re traveling to Tokyo during the spring season in Japan, there are several Japan cherry blossom tours and activities you can book from within the heart of the capital city. And one of these highly recommended activities is booking a one-day tour to see the stunning Kawazu cherry blossoms!
On the tour, you’ll enjoy the Kawazuzakura Cherry Blossoms Festival, where travelers are awed by the Kawazu Sakura, a pinker type of cherry blossom, that blooms from early February to around mid-March. On top of basking in the sea of pink, you’ll also be able to try out other fun activities, such as strawberry picking in Izu Fruit Park and visiting the Bamboo Forest Trail in Shuzenji. You can begin your Kawazu Town journey by departing from either the Tokyo Station or Shinjuku Station.
2. Mt. Fuji Day Tour
Stand in awe at the sights of Fuji and cherry blossoms, all at the same time. Credits: Mon Jester from Unsplash
If you’re the type of traveler who longs to see more than one awe-inspiring sight at a time, this next Japan sakura tour recommendation is just for you! See the stunning Mount Fuji Cherry Blossoms when you book a Mt. Fuji, Hakone, and Lake Kawaguchiko Day Tour during sakura season in Japan. Here, you’ll kill two birds with one stone by visiting two locations in one day: Hakone and Kawaguchiko! You’ll partake in classic Fuji activities, such as visiting the beautiful flower fields, ancient shrines, stunning lakes, and participating in guided tours around the surrounding local towns. Depart from Shinjuku in Tokyo to begin your Mt. Fuji Cherry Blossom excursion.
3. Kyoto and Nara Park Tour
Cherry blossoms make for the perfect backdrop for the cutest Nara deer! Credits: Klook
The fun of Japan cherry blossom tours doesn't end in Tokyo! You can also book exciting tours from Osaka, such as the one-day Kyoto and Nara Park Tour!
Immerse yourself in the ancient Japanese capitals of Kyoto and Nara, where centuries-old shrines, temples, and timeless landscapes come alive beneath soft pink blossoms. On this Japan sakura tour, you’ll get a true essence of spring in Japan as you walk through living history while being surrounded by the most beautiful flowers in full bloom.
In Nara Park, you can even make friends with the Nara deers, some of the most adorable tourist attractions you can visit fromin Osaka. What better way to improve the experience than to spend time with these cute creatures as the spring cherry blossoms paint the background? Well, this day tour to Kyoto and Nara allows you to experience the wonders of exactly that!.
And if you’re a true nature lover, you can most definitely admire incredible nature scenes, as this tour is ideal for basking in natural landscapes while developing a deeper appreciation for local Nara culture.
4. Hiroshima and Miyajima One-Day Bus Tour
Blooming cherry blossoms by the Atomic Bomb Dome in Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park
Another one of our favorite Japan Cherry Blossom tours you can embark on from Osaka is the Hiroshima and Miyajima 1-Day Bus Tour, which takes you on an adventure to two of Western Japan’s most iconic spots during sakura season. Here, you can explore Hiroshima Prefecture with a comfortable bus ride and visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. After, a special ferry will take you to the serene island of Miyajima, home to the floating great torii gate at Itsukushima Shrine.
During spring, gorgeous cherry blossoms bloom along Hiroshima Peace Boulevard and Shukkeien Garden, while Miyajima transforms into a pink parade of petals that greets you before the torii gate.
5. Okinawa Hip Hop Bus Tour
Yaedake Sakuranomori Park sakura viewing in Okinawa, Japan
If you would like to take your Japan Cherry Blossom Tours beyond the outskirts of Tokyo or Osaka, we highly recommend exploring Northern Okinawa through the Hip Hop Bus Tour. This tour has various boarding points all over Naha and Chatan, but once you’re onboard, you’ll stop by an array of famous points like Kouri Beach, where you can walk along the shore, Cape Manzamo, a majestic rock formation overlooking the vast ocean, and the lush Yanbaru Forest that houses stunning greenery and wildlife.
Okinawa is one of the first islands in Japan in the year to see cherry blossoms bloom, so if this is a stop on your list and the sakura sightseeing is non-negotiable, we highly recommend planning your visit from January to early February.
Ready to Enjoy Japan’s Sakura Season?
These are just a few examples of many exciting tours that’ll enable you to cherish Japan's spring season. Whether you’re traveling from Tokyo, Osaka, or Okinawa, there is an activity tailor-fit for your preference. Of all the gorgeous seasons the country has, we believe there’s no experience quite like visiting when cherry blossoms in Japan are in full bloom.
FAQs About Japan Cherry Blossom Tours
When is Japan’s cherry blossom (sakura) season and how long does it last?
Japan’s cherry blossom season typically begins around late March to early May, but can vary depending on the region. Southern areas in Japan tend to bloom earlier and gradually move northward through the country, with Okinawa blossoms beginning as early as mid-January. Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka peak from mid-March to early April, and Hokkaido wraps up around late April to early May. Each region’s blossoms last for about a week, so make sure to time your trip well!
Where are the best places in Japan to see cherry blossoms (Tokyo, Kyoto, Hokkaido, etc.)?
Each region in Japan offers a unique viewing of the sakura season, so there’s plenty of great locations to check out! Some of the most popular cherry blossom spots include Ueno Park and Shinjuku Gyoen in Tokyo, Maruyama Park in Kyoto, and Osaka Castle Park. For a more traditional vibe, Mount Yoshino in Nara is famous for its thousands of beautiful blooming trees. And for the perfect post-card view, you can go north to Hirosaki Castle or start early down in Okinawa for the first blossoms of the year.
How far in advance should you book a cherry blossom tour in Japan?
Japan is famous for its cherry blossoms, which makes spring one of its busiest seasons, so it’s best to watch out for Japan cherry blossom tours at least four to six months ahead, starting around November or December, the months before. These tours are high in demand and popular hotels sell out quickly, especially in Tokyo and Kyoto, so you’ll want to book as early as you can!
What should you pack or be aware of when travelling during cherry blossom season?
Layering is key! Spring weather in Japan can be a bit unpredictable, with cool mornings, warm afternoons, and the occasional drizzle, so be sure to pack items that are easy to layer. Wear comfortable walking shoes since you’ll likely be walking a lot. And don’t forget to bring a light jacket and an umbrella, too, just in case. And when you’re out for hanami (cherry blossom viewing), remember local etiquette: don’t pick flowers, shake branches, or leave trash behind. Be respectful of the culture, people, and places you visit, and treat nature with respect.
Are there “late bloom” alternatives if you miss the peak cherry blossom timing?
If you missed the peak season in the main hanami areas, don’t panic! Sakura comes in waves from South to North in Japan, so you can still catch the blooms in Hokkaido from late April to early May! And honestly, it’s just as beautiful and less crowded. You can also check out other mountain areas like Takayama that bloom later than the cities. But if you completely miss sakura season, Japan's spring offers wisteria at Ashikaga Flower Park, blue nemophila fields at Hitachi Seaside Park, and vibrant azaleas during Golden Week.
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