Cherry Blossoms in Japan - The Best Places to Go

Cherry Blossom season in Japan is fantastic!

This is something very special to put on your travel bucket list. I think it is simply spectacular and in a way magical and whimsical. Above all, it makes for spectacular travel trip photos.

Cherry Blossoms in Japan is a special time of year. Starting with only one or two blossoms (Sakura) and then the grand finally ends in a ‘sakura fubuki’ – A snow of cherry blossom petals everywhere.

(The Japanese cherry, Prunus Serrulata is commonly referred to as Sakura.)

Although the flowering time of a cherry blossoming tree is only about a week (weather depending), it is quite a spectacular site in Japan, and travelers from all over the world have this special occasion on their travel list.

When is cherry blossom season in Japan?

The best places to visit for spectacular blossoms:

It usually starts around mid-March (the 20th) in the southern region of Japan.
Kyushu is usually first and then Shikoku, Chugoku (Hiroshima/Okayama), the Kinki/Kansai Region (Kyoto/Osaka), and Tokai (Nagoya).
Thereafter by the end of March, you will find cherry blossoms in the Kanto (Tokyo) region.
From 1st of April to mid-April you will find blossoms in Hokuriku (Kanazawa) and Tohoku (Sendai) and Nagano.
By the start of May, you may be lucky to find blossoms in Hokkaido.

Yoshinoyama

Mount Yoshino is definitely worth a visit.

How to know what is the perfect time to travel to Japan, to see the Cherry Blossoms

TRAVEL TIP: The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) announces when the buds have opened but you can also have a look at this news site, which has a map of the flowering predictions.

The first forecasts are usually expected by the end of January or early February.

ANOTHER TRAVEL TIP: Don’t wait until late in the day to go on your walkabout to scout for flowers. The hottest part of the day is the best time of the day.

Attend the Cherry Blossom Festival

Kumamoto Castle is listed as one of Japan’s Top 100 Cherry Blossom Viewing Sites. The Kumamoto Castle Festival usually takes place during the month of March.

Address: Kumamoto Prefecture, Kumamoto, Chuo-ku Honmaru 1-1

More places to see Cherry Blossoms in Japan

Shinjuku Gyoen – with about 1100 trees. (Shinjuku Gyo-en is a large park and garden in Shinjuku and Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan.
Koishikawa Korakuen – with weeping Cherry Blossom trees. The Koishikawa Kōrakuen is a beautiful large urban park in the Koishikawa neighborhood of Bunkyō, Tokyo, Japan.
Chidorigafuchi Park – This path is a very scenic spot only a 5-minute walk from Kudanshita station and Hanzomon station. The name of this moat northwest of the Imperial Palace and a famous Instagram spot during flower season.

Include Osaka in your trip to Japan

International airport

Osaka Airports

Osaka is served by two main airports: Kansai International Airport (KIX) and Osaka International Airport (better known as Itami; ITM).

According to Airspace Magazine, Kansai airport was built on land reclaimed from water and since it opened in 1994, “Kansai has sunk 38 feet”.

A few must-see places

…while you’re in Japan and have the time…

Universal Studio of Japan

This is a huge park of 54 hectares (130 acres). Without a doubt, this is any child’s dream (big or small). With attractions like Shrek, Harry Potter, Hello Kitty, Snoopy / Peanuts, San Francisco, and the Despicable Me Minions Park to only name a few.

Kema Sakuranomiya Park

This park is famous for its Cherry Blossom trees. Cherry blossom time in Japan is in spring, which is April and May.

Shirakawago – Ogimachi village

I think a visit to this village, would be special. With farmhouses more than 250 years old and picturesque scenery, this is a must-do walkabout. Furthermore, you can book a ‘Ryokan‘ and find a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

A ‘ryokan‘ is a traditional Japanese inn with tatami-matted rooms and often includes the opportunity to learn more about the proud Japanese traditions and lifestyle.

Plan a trip to your favorite destination

Book your accommodation

You can book a ‘Ryokan’ through this link and know it is a trusted source.

There are also a lot of other options for accommodation all around Japan, so from this link you can make all your necessary arrangements for accommodation. Quick and Easy.