As Spring marches in, so does the perfect time to dawn your rose-tinted glasses and set off to Japan! The country springs into bloom with the Cherry Blossom season in Japan, taking on a pink hue like never seen before. This is a yearly event, but watching it on repeat could never reduce the beauty of the million-blooming Sakura trees.
The cherry blossom season in Japan is fleeting and ends quickly with its pink, dark yellow, or white colours, like every beautiful thing, while also providing hope for its return. As Japan dawns on its pink coat, the world stops to admire, so cancel all your plans and hop on cheap flights to Tokyo to marvel at this tranquil scene with a fun Hanami picnic experience that is bound to make your dull heart turn a bright pink.
When does the Cherry Blossom Season in Japan begin?
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The cherry blossom season Japan 2025 is expected to begin between March and April, as soon as the season of Spring begins. However, since these are real plants, there can be a few exceptions and changing dates. Usually, you can even catch the first blooms of the plant at the end of January in Okinawa, the southernmost location in Japan! You can imagine the blooming as a gentle wave of pink enveloping the country from the South to Hokkaido in the North, where the plants bloom right up to May. Explore all these locations with all-inclusive Japan tour packages for the most comprehensive Sakura viewing experience! You can find the most accurate predictions for the cherry blossom season in Japan by the beginning of March.
At present, the Japan Cherry Blossom 2025 forecast released on 23rd January predicts a full bloom in:
- Tokyo- 31st March
- Nagoya- 3rd April
- Osaka- 4th April
- Kyoto- 5th April
To know more about the blooming schedule for other destinations in Japan, click here. Planning a trip to Dubai? Purchase affordable Mumbai to Dubai flights and get going!
Kinds of Cherry Blossom in Japan
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Most tourists imagine the cherry blossoms to be only a bright pink, but that is not the only kind you can find in Japan. As the trees don’t occupy one particular part of the country, every region has its unique type of flower, differing from the wild and the cultivated ones that are maintained often. The cherry blossom season in Japan is the biggest celebration of the country, even bigger than New Year. The pink flowers are usually considered to be the country’s national flower because of the pompous festivities!
Depending on the period of blooming, the shape of the petals, leaves, colour, and more differ from one another. The kinds of cherry blossoms you can spot in Japan include:
- Yaezakura: Tree blossoms with over five petals.
- Shidarezakura: Cherry blossom trees with drooping branches.
- Somei Yoshino variety: The most common variety with five pink or white petals.
- Ukon variety: Light or pale yellow flower blossoms having 10 to 12 petals.
The Yaezakura are the last of the cherry blossoms in Japan to open, up to two to four weeks after the Somei Yoshino variety flowers blossom. If you arrive in Japan at the beginning of the flowering season, you are bound to spot the Kawazuzakura, Kanzakura, and Kanhizakura, with dark pink, bell-shaped blossoms. You can find the Kanzakura kind of flowers in Izu Town. Don’t worry; there are plenty of unique cherry blossoms with 30 to 50 petals opening later at the end of the season.
Did you miss the cherry blossom season in Japan in March and April completely? No worries! You can also catch the Jugatsuzakura blossoms that bloom during the autumn season in October and November!
Also read: Top Cherry Blossom Viewing Destinations: Here, The Trees Wear Pink.
Locating the Best Cherry Blossom Viewing Spots in Japan
If the cherry blossoms grow all over Japan, what makes them so special? Even the repetitive cherry blossom trees can look like a completely new scene depending on the location you choose to enjoy the Hanami picnics! Here is a short list of the most beautiful Sakura cherry blossom season in Japan viewing locations for an ethereal experience:
Mount Yoshino, Kansai
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Walk down the mountainsides of Yoshino on a beautiful pink carpet formed by the falling petals of the cherry blossoms. This is one of the most popular Japanese viewing spots, so unless you book the best hotels in Japan nearby in advance, you cannot find accommodation here. The blooms here come to life around mid-April. It has over 30,000 trees, and you can get to the top by accessing the ropeway, Japan’s oldest, from Senbonguchi Station for breathtaking views.
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Shibuya Canal, Tokyo
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When you can find everything in Tokyo, how can you not expect to find the best viewing spot? The Cherry blossom season Tokyo is magical, with the most spectacular canopy of flowers covering the Shibuya canal from either side. Tokyo also offers a unique nighttime Sakura viewing experience at Rikugien Gardens. If you’re in Tokyo, you must visit Gion and watch the graceful geishas perform during the cherry blossom season in Japan.
Kamo River, Kyoto
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Walking along the path of the Kamo River is one of the most magical experiences during the cherry blossom season in Japan, as it remains sandwiched between a line of blooming pink trees and serene waters. Kyoto is the best city for a cherry blossom visit, with unbeatable views at Maruyama Park and along the path connecting Ginkaku-ji Temple and Nazenji Temple near a canal, namely the Philosopher’s Path.
Nakijin Castle, Okinawa
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Feel like a princess while ascending the staircase of the Nakijin Castle with the blooming cherry blossom buds on either side. The flowers here are of a deep pink shade and appear like bells. The welcoming petals take you to the grand ruins of the Nakiji Castle. At nighttime, bright lights are installed on the path that makes the petals shine like fairy lights along the way. Okinawa has about 1,000 cherry blossom trees and is known for its warm onsen baths.
Himeji Castle, Himeji
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The sparkling beauty of the Himeji Castle remains unrivalled, owing to its unique white façade, delicate architecture, and beautiful surrounding gardens. Standing atop a hill, the Castle peeking out from behind bunches of pink flowers is a scene straight out of a period drama! Himeji Castle is one of the most beloved spots for photography in your Yukatas during the cherry blossom season in Japan.
Hitome Senbonzakura, Miyagi
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Looking for a Korean drama-worthy shot? Hitome Senbonzakura is your destination, with the snow-capped peaks of the brilliant Mt. Fuji peeking out from a sea of pink petals. There are about 1,000 trees here, lining the calming waters of a river, making the scene look like a postcard.
Fuji Five Lakes, Yamanashi
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The five Fuji Lakes, also the Fujigoko, offer the most spectacular, reflected views of Mt. Fuji surrounded by cherry blossom trees. The views from Churei-to-Pagoda, a war memorial, are the most beautiful during cherry blossom season in Japan, with the red structure highlighted by a sea of pink trees and backgrounded by the captivating Mt. Fuji.
Hirosaki Park, Aomori
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An underrated gem location, the Hirosaki Park in Aomori was previously the place where Castle Hirosaki-jo stood. Bordered by about 2,500 Sakura trees, the moats are perfect for a romantic boat ride. At the end of the season, the moats are covered in pink petals, creating the perfect illusion of a boat floating on petals! Don’t forget to watch the Shamisen performances at the festival.
Aburayama Citizen’s Forest, Fukuoka
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A forest full of cherry blossoms should be on your bucket list when visiting Fukuoka cherry blossom 2025 in Japan! You’ll see nothing but pink in the Aburayama Citizen’s Forest Park, which is the perfect Hanami destination to visit. It has the perfect suspension bridge at the Park’s centre, offering the best views of the trees.
Also read: Best Countries to Visit in March: March Out to Your Dream Destinations.
Some Photos of Cherry Blossoms in Japan
Image credit: Shutterstock/Sean Pavone
Image credit: Shutterstock/anek.soowannaphoom
Image credit: Shutterstock/Phattana Stock
Image credit: Shutterstock/Phattana Stock
Experiencing Hanami at the Cherry Blossom Season in Japan
Hanami is the simple action of setting up a picnic under the pink bunches of cherry blossom in Japan to observe the slow-falling petals, admire the brilliant views, and celebrate with friends and family! Without snacks, there is no Hanami, so grab your Sakura-flavoured sake or tea, Kit Kats, a delicious bento box, and colourful Hanami dangos to munch on as you enjoy the views.
Image credit: Shutterstock/thipjang
Don’t forget to wear your festive yukata to the Hanami during the cherry blossom season in Japan! The concept of Hanami aligns with the philosophical term of ‘mono no aware,’ which means to have empathy for the smallest things, no matter how fleeting. A few tips to ensure you enjoy your first Hanami experience are:
- Avoid setting up the picnic near the walkway since in crowded parks like Ueno and Hirosaki, crowds of tourists keep walking in at all times.
- Locate the washroom and line up in advance, as the wait time is expected to increase with the crowding.
- Always carry some hand warmers or a sweater, in case it gets cold.
- Carry disposable plates and utensils and take the waste back home in case the viewing spot has no dust bins.
- Wear a traditional yukata to capture the grandest pictures during the cherry blossom season in Japan.
- Do not climb the trees or pull on the branches or flowers.
- Parks will follow different rules, including no barbecuing, no music, no alcohol, and much more, so ensure you adhere to them.
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Unique Cherry Blossom Festival in Japan Locations
Besides Hanami, the cherry blossom season in Japan has a lot more to offer, especially at the festivals! Some of the most unique festivals you can find across Japan during the season of blossoms are at:
Goryokaku Cherry Blossom Festival, Hokkaido
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The star-shaped layout of the Park and the ruins is what makes it such an attractive festival location, made even more spectacular by the sparkling illuminations at nighttime. You can also climb to the top of the Goryokaku Tower to admire the scenic views below. The Park has a magnificent collection of 1,500 trees and also allows an open-air barbeque experience at certain points.
Kitakami Tenshochi Cherry Blossom Festival, Iwate
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The star festival is Kitakami Tenshochi during the cherry blossom season in Japan with a clear river and hundreds of carp streamers adding to the festival’s beauty. It is among the best cherry blossom viewing spots in Japan, with over 10,000 blossoming trees. You can enjoy a unique Sakura boat ride experience on the river and be drawn around the park in a horse carriage to admire the views.
Kitakami Tenshochi also has a Devil’s Sword dance performance, folk art shows, and the Iwate Umaimono Market filled with hand-made items.
Ueno Cherry Blossom Festival, Tokyo
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Ueno Park in Tokyo is the most crowded during the cherry blossom season in Japan, hosting the grandest festival you’ll ever find. The heart of the festival is the bustling flower market, selling a wide range of flowering plants, including Sakura, to take back home! It’s an excellent place for tourists to immerse themselves in Japanese culture by admiring the Daikoku-mai and Kotobuki-jishi folk dances to the beat of traditional Japanese music.
You can enjoy a complete day trip at the attractions inside the Park, including the Tokyo National Museum, National Museum of Nature and Sciences, Ueno Zoo, Ueno Toshogu Shrine, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum.
Matsuyama Spring Festival, Ehime
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Catch the exciting cultural parade at Matsuyama Spring Festival, backgrounded by the historical ruins of the Castle and the pink cherry blossoms! As the evening falls, locals wear extravagant costumes and begin the captivating lion dance. Every Sunday during the cherry blossom season in Japan, the Matsuya festival puts on a medieval-style parade with the Lord of Matsuyama at the front and another surprise celebrity. Put on your best vintage clothing and capture the most exciting pictures. Don’t forget to try out the delicious Sakura-themed foods at the bottom of the Castle!
If you haven’t already started preparing for your escape to the cherry blossom season in Japan, this might be your last chance! Click here to find the lowest flight bookings for Japan from India. You must also apply for your Japan Visa online to enjoy a 90-day stay and admire all kinds of blossoms spread across the country!
FAQs- Cherry Blossom Season in Japan
How long does cherry blossom season last in Japan?
Cherry blossoms usually appear in full bloom from late March to May. However, you can also catch early blossoms in January, depending on your travel destination in Japan.
When is cherry blossom season in Japan?
Cherry blossom season falls from March to April and might extend into May. It is recommended to check the forecast to learn more.
Which is the best month to see cherry blossoms in Japan?
April is the best month to see cherry blossoms in Japan.
What month is cherry blossom in Japan in 2025?
In 2025, most cherry blossoms in Japan are expected to bloom completely by the last week of March or the first week of April.
What month is cherry blossom in Japan in 2024?
In 2024, the cherry blossoms were in full bloom by 20th March in Tokyo.
Which month is best to visit Japan?
March and April are the best months to visit Japan to admire the pink cherry blossom petal-covered landscapes.
Is Japan expensive during cherry blossom season?
Yes, Japan is expensive during the cherry blossom season as millions of tourists flock here to admire the pink blossoms.
Is April too late for cherry blossoms in Japan?
No, April is the perfect time to visit Japan and marvel at the cherry blossoms.
Is April a great time to visit Japan?
Yes, the beginning of April is especially the perfect time for Japan to watch the breathtaking cherry blossom-covered scenery and dive into the fascinating culture.
When and where to find cherry blossoms in Tokyo in 2024?
In 2024, the cherry blossom season peaked in Tokyo by 20th March. In 2025, the blossoms are expected to be in full bloom by 31st March. You can watch them at the famous Ueno Park, Yoyogi Park, beside the Ueno River, and at Chidorigafushi.
When and where to see cherry blossoms in Tokyo in 2024?
In 2024, the cherry blossom season peaked in Tokyo by 20th March. In 2025, the blossoms are expected to be in full bloom by 31st March.
Also Read:
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- Best Places to April in 2025: Spring Into the Best Travel Month!
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