Cherry Blossom in Japan: When and Where to See Sakura

Few natural events are as beloved as Japan's cherry blossom, or sakura. For a week or two each spring, parks, riverbanks and castles turn pink and white, and people gather beneath the trees for hanami – blossom-viewing picnics. Timing is everything, so here is when and where to see cherry blossom in Japan, with tips for planning.

When to go

1. The cherry blossom front

The blossom moves north with spring:

• Okinawa: January to February.
• Kyushu and Shikoku: late March.
• Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka: usually late March to early April.
• Tohoku (northern Honshu): mid to late April.
• Hokkaido: late April to early May.

Dates vary by a week or more each year. Forecasts are published from January – book flexible hotels where possible.

Where to see sakura

2. Tokyo

• Shinjuku Gyoen: a large garden with many varieties, so the season lasts longer (alcohol is not allowed).
• Chidorigafuchi: rent a rowing boat on the imperial palace moat beneath the trees.
• Meguro River: lanterns light up the canal at night.
• Ueno Park: lively hanami parties.

In Ueno Park, families spread blue tarpaulins under the pale pink trees, laughing over picnics and beer, while petals drift down like snow. Along the Meguro River, lanterns light the blossom at night. Expect crowds everywhere – go early.

3. Kyoto

• Philosopher's Path: a canal-side walk lined with cherry trees.
• Maruyama Park: famous for its weeping cherry, lit up at night.
• Arashiyama: blossom on the hills by the river.
• Daigo-ji: a temple whose blossom inspired a famous 16th-century party.

Along the Philosopher's Path, the canal is covered in fallen petals, and in Maruyama Park the great weeping cherry is lit up at night. Temples are busy in peak season – start at dawn.

4. Osaka and Nara

Osaka Castle Park has thousands of trees around the castle; in Nara, deer wander beneath the blossom in Nara Park.

In Nara, deer wander beneath the cherry trees around the great temples, bowing for crackers, while Osaka Castle rises above a sea of pink.

5. Himeji Castle

Japan's most beautiful castle, a gleaming white UNESCO site, framed by cherry trees.

The white castle rises like a heron above a cloud of cherry trees – one of Japan's most beautiful sights in spring.

6. Hirosaki Castle, Tohoku

One of Japan's most famous spots, with more than 2,000 trees and petals covering the moat, later in April.

Thousands of trees line the moats, and when the petals fall, the water turns completely pink – a phenomenon the locals call 'flower rafts'.

7. Mount Yoshino, Nara Prefecture

Tens of thousands of trees cover the mountain slopes, blooming in stages from bottom to top.

Thirty thousand cherry trees cover the mountainside, blooming in waves from bottom to top – the views from the upper slopes are breathtaking.

Hanami etiquette

8. How to enjoy blossom viewing

• Don't touch or shake branches or pick flowers.
• Take your rubbish home – bins can be rare.
• Arrive early to find a picnic spot at popular parks.
• Check rules: some parks ban alcohol or barbecues.

Bring a mat, a bento and something to drink, find a spot under the trees and spend the afternoon like the locals – chatting, eating and watching the petals fall.

Planning tips

• Book accommodation months ahead: sakura season is peak season.
• Get a rail pass or regional pass if you're chasing the blossom north.
• Consider late-blooming regions if your dates are fixed late in April.
• Plan the rest of the year: see our guide to the best destination for every month.