For about a week in each place, the cherry trees flower and the whole country goes out to see them. People picnic under the trees by day and come back for lit-up blossom at night.
The bloom starts in the south in March and moves north, reaching Tokyo and Kyoto around the end of March and Hokkaido in early May, so a flexible route can follow it.
When to goLate March to early April in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka; April further north; early May in Hokkaido.
Where to go
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KyotoKyoto · 京都The Philosopher's Path, Maruyama Park and blossom over temple roofs. -
TokyoTokyo · 東京Ueno Park, Shinjuku Gyoen and the Meguro River at night. -
YoshinoNara · 奈良Tens of thousands of trees covering a whole mountainside. -
HimejiHyogo · 兵庫The white castle framed by pink blossom. -
HirosakiAomori · 青森Castle moats filled with fallen petals in late April. -
Fuji Five LakesYamanashi · 山梨Blossom with Mt. Fuji behind it.
Good to know
- Book hotels early; blossom weeks are the busiest of the year.
- Forecasts firm up in February and March; keep a day or two spare.
- Go early in the morning for the famous spots without the crowds.