Sakura Season: Best Places to See Cherry Blossoms In Japan
The season of pink is a beautiful time to visit, so check out the best places to see cherry blossoms in Japan.
Cherry blossoms have a rich history in Japan and add considerable beauty to the landscape during spring. When the trees begin to bloom, people from all over the world come to Japan to practice Hanami, the Japanese term for cherry blossom watching. When the cherry blossoms bloom, Hanami parties, festivals, and tourism take over the nation to enjoy the views. Also known as Sakura, the cherry blossoms are a seasonal event you won’t want to miss.
When Do The Cherry Blossoms Bloom
Depending on which region of Japan you visit, the cherry blossoms are in full bloom at different times during the year. Up north in Hokkaido, the trees bloom in early May, while down south in Okinawa, the trees bloom in mid-January. In the popular and more often visited central regions of Japan, such as around Tokyo or Kyoto, the cherry blossoms will begin to bloom anywhere from mid-March to early April.
Keep in mind that the season varies slightly from year to year, so make sure to keep an eye out on the current estimated dates when booking your trip if you want to see them!
Sakura Festivals
Once the buds begin to bloom, Japan will be in full swing with Sakura festivals all over the nation. These festivals will vary from place to place, but all of them will generally have several different stalls from food, gifts, and small game stands. For visitors wanting to try some great Japanese street food, this is one of the best times to try out a variety of new things.
If you’re worried about making sure you don’t miss out on the festivals, fear not, as these festivals are in larger cities and smaller cities alike. Don’t forget to see some of these festival sites during the evening when the city lights up the trees and surrounding area with colorful lanterns.
Tokyo Cherry Blossoms
Tokyo is filled with people, stores, shops, and is often the place where new visitors to Japan will begin their adventure. Throughout the city, there are several places to see the cherry blossoms, so here are a few of the most popular.
Ueno Park
The cherry blossom views of Ueno Park are just fantastic. The park is open early in the day to late in the evening and while enjoying your views, there are several shops, museums, and galleries nearby to explore. During festival times, you’ll be able to find several food and snack stands around, and not just during cherry blossom season.
Right next to the main grounds is Shinobazunoike Pond which I highly recommend taking a stroll through as there is a lovely path through the middle of the pond that is lined with cherry blossom trees. Small rentable boats can be hired to get on the water and enjoy the views, but make sure you show up a little earlier in the day to rent one before they’re all gone.
Sumida Park
Running along the Sumida River, Sumida Park is a prime place lined with street vendors of all types during the day and into the evening. In addition to the beautiful cherry blossom trees, the river and the Tokyo Skytree are a great backdrop for photos, or just to enjoy the view. For visitors with kids, Sumida Park also has a playground for the little ones to enjoy while you relax and take in the views.
Meguro River
The Meguro River runs right through Tokyo and is a long stretch of canal with several bridges going across. Much of the river is lined with cherry blossom trees and various stores worth checking out. In the evening, the river is lit with many pink lanterns, decorations, and people. Keep in mind that especially during the evening, the area becomes very busy as it is one of, if not the best places to enjoy the Cherry Blossom trees at night in Tokyo.
If you’re looking for something to eat during the cherry blossom season, the river will be lined with food stalls and food trucks to pick up a tasty treat. Take a tour and see for yourself!
Kyoto Cherry Blossoms
For the visitor who wants to see a less busy and more traditional place in Japan, Kyoto is just a short train ride away from Tokyo. The city has an excellent shopping district, many shrines to explore, traditional-looking buildings and homes, and is nearby to several highly acclaimed attractions. During cherry blossom season, Kyoto is one of the best places to see the Sakura flowers if you want a little less hustle and bustle.
Maruyama Park
Maruyama Park is located in Kyoto and is the top place to view the cherry blossom trees in the city. Locals and visitors from all over come to spend time in the park and see the cherry blossoms here, particularly the Gira Shidarezakura, or weeping cherry blossom tree. The tree is near the center of the park and is as big as it is beautiful.
Maruyama Park can be accessed from several locations, but the best place to start is from the Yasaka Shrine, which is notable for its giant gate on the east end of Kyoto. From the rear exit of the shrine, an entrance to the Maruyama Park, visitors will be met with more food and activity stalls than they can handle. Going deeper into the park will yield many small ponds, bridges, and decorative elements, making Maruyama Park a very special place to see.
Arashiyama
Just to the east of central Kyoto are Arashiyama and Arashiyama Park. The Katsura River parts the area and has some incredible mountain views in its background. The park is a small island with access through the Togetsukyo Bridge, which is a great place to get a quick photo of the area. The park is filled with cherry blossom trees, various festival stands, and boats passing by.
Next to the park, visitors will find several restaurants and very well-kept toilet facilities nearby, should nature call. Near to several popular attractions like the Bamboo Grove and Arashiyama Monkey Park, this area is well worth the day trip from central Kyoto to explore.
Philosopher’s Path
The Philosopher’s Path (Tetsugaku no michi) is a two-kilometer stone path made famous by Nishida Kitaro, one of Japan’s most well-known philosophers, who often walked the small canal and practiced meditation. Today, the path is still lined with cherry blossom trees and is a great place to have a quiet walk, ponder life, and take in the scenery.
Hokkaido Cherry Blossoms
Hokkaido is the northernmost region of Japan and is high on the list for many travelers. The region has some very unique areas to see the cherry blossoms that visitors won’t be able to see anywhere else.
Sopporo
Maruyama Park and Hokkaido-jinju Shrine | Maruyama Park is a huge span of largely untouched forest in the area that has been designated as a natural monument. In the park, the Hokkaido-jinju Shrine and its surroundings provide a top-notch route to enjoy your afternoon. The route provides a generous variety of different cherry blossom tree species such as Ezoyama, Yoshino, and Yaesakura. Out of the viewing location options near Sopporo, this is one of the most popular.
Hakodate
Goryokaku Park and Fortress | Goryokaku Park, located within Goryokaku Fort is a complex of over 1,000 trees unlike any other in Japan. The park is surrounded by water, but what makes it truly unique is that the water surrounds the area in the shape of an enormous star. The park’s entrance, as well as the surroundings, are filled with cherry blossom trees and people, including visitors and locals, enjoying a small boat ride along the waterway.
Before or after visiting, try and get a nice aerial view from the observation deck at Goryokaku Tower so you can see for yourself.
Kyushu Cherry Blossoms
Kyushu is the southernmost region of mainland Japan, with the island of Okinawa southeast of its coast. While not as popular for cherry blossom viewing as some other regions, several cities in the Kyushu region provide a much calmer and less busy experience, especially for visitors who have the region on their bucket list.
Kagoshima
Yoshino Park | In the northern area of Kagoshima City, Yoshino Park is a large city park with a great view of Sakurajima, an active volcano, just across Kinko Bay. The park provides a grove of over 800 cherry blossom trees at the southern end of the grounds and is a great place to enjoy the seasonal bloom. During the warmer months of the year, Yoshino Park also offers a variety of plants, flowers, and wildlife that make for a charming stop.
Fukuoka
Fukuoka Castle and Maizuru Park | Fukuoka Castle was the residence of the city’s rulers back in the Meiji era of Japan. Today, the grounds are well-kept, and the castle and nearby park are one of the best places to see cherry blossoms in Fukuoka. The historical structures add to the magic of this special time of year and fit the traditional experience that some visitors may have when searching for the perfect spot to take some photos.
More Places to See Cherry Blossoms
Hokkaido Region
Matsumae Park – Matsumae
Tohoku Region
Kakunodate – Senboku
Chubu Region
Lake Kawagushi and Mt. Fuji
Chureito Pagoda – Fujiyoshida
Kansai Region
Nara Park – Nara
Koriyama Castle – Nara
Osaka Castle – Osaka
Kanto Region
Chidorigafuchi Park – Tokyo
Asukayama Park – Tokyo
Ryushuin Temple – Tokyo
Chugoku Region
Senkoji Park – Hiroshima
Ueno Park – Hiroshima
Shikoku Region
Hyotan Sakura Park – Kochi
Mt. Shiude – Kagawa
Kyushu Region
Kumamoto Castle – Kumamoto
Ohmura Park – Nagasaki
Okinawa Region
Yogi Park – Yogi
Nago Central Park – Nago
Thanks for Reading!
Thank you for checking out this list of some of the best places to see cherry blossoms in Japan! While during my own trip, I wish I could have seen more, I’m sure most people could spend months, if not years, and still not see enough. I hope these tips help you find the pink flowers you’re looking for, no matter where you are in Japan.
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