It is finally time for the most popular season here in Japan; the Cherry Blossom (Sakura) Season! After the coldest winter in some 40 years, it is really nice that we're finally approaching warmer days. Due to the cold weather this winter the sakura flowers are projected to start blooming slightly later than usual. If you're traveling to Japan this cherry blossom season you can check out where to go below. The list begins in the north of Japan and goes down to the south of Kyushu.
Hokkaido
(北海道)
Hokkaido is the northernmost island in Japan, and if you didn't make it in time for the blossoms further down south you'll still be able to see the sakura here until late May.
Hakodate
When to visit: May 3rd - 5th
Sapporo
When to visit: May 5th - 9th
Obihiro
When to visit: May 5th - 9th
Asahikawa
When to visit: May 7th - 11th
Muroran
When to visit: May 19th - 14th
Wakkanai
When to visit: May 15th - 19th
Abashiri
When to visit: May 12th - 15th
Kushiro
When to visit: May 19th - 23rd
Tohoku
(東北)
The Tohoku area was all over the news worldwide after the devastating earthquake in 2011. Fortunately, most areas are totally safe to visit, and the locals are more than happy to welcome visitors from near and far. The cherry trees in Tohoku also blooms later than the areas around Tokyo, so for late arriving tourists, this is a great chance to see the sakura as well.
Fukushima
When to visit: April 13th - 18th
Sendai
When to visit: April 15th - 20th
Yamagata
When to visit: April 19th - 24th
Akita
When to visit: April 22nd - 27th
Morioka
When to visit: April 25th - 30th
Aomori
When to visit: April 27th - May 2nd
Kanto Koshinetsu
(関東甲信越)
Kanto Koshinetsu is most known for the capital Tokyo, in addition to the second largest city Yokohama (in practice an extension of Tokyo) and the 1994 Winter Olympics city Nagano. Although they are close in distance, Nagano is situated at a higher altitude, so if you can't make it in time for the cherry blossoms in and around Tokyo this might be a good option to visit.
Yokohama
When to visit: April 1st - 8th
Tokyo
When to visit: April 2nd - 9th
Above: Lantern and cherry blossoms by the Meguro River
Kofu / Yamanashi / Mt. Fuji
When to visit: April 2nd - 9th
Above: Hiking in Yamanashi
Kumagaya (Saitama)
When to visit: April 3rd - 10th
Above: From Chichibu in Saitama
Choshi
When to visit: April 4th - 11th
Maebashi
When to visit: April 6th - 12th
Utsunomiya
When to visit: April 7th - 13th
Mito
When to visit: April 7th - 13th
Nagano
When to visit: April 18th - 23rd
Tokai Hokuriku
(東海北陸)
Tokai Hokuriku is made up of 8 prefectures: Shizuoka, Aichi, Gifu, Mie, Ishikawa, Fukui, Niigata, and Toyama. It is a very wide and diverse area, offering everything from tropical beaches in Izu to snowcapped mountains in Niigata. When it comes to the cherry blossom season Niigata also offer a unique opportunity to see a traditional Oiran procession taking place during the cherry blossom season at the Tsubame Sakura Festival.
Shizuoka
When to visit: March 31st - April 7th
Nagoya
When to visit: April 2nd - 9th
Gifu
When to visit: April 3rd - 9th
Tsu
When to visit: April 3rd - 9th
Fukui
When to visit: April 8th - 14th
Kanazawa
When to visit: April 9th - 15th
Toyama
When to visit: April 10th - 16th
Niigata
When to visit: April 16th - 21st
From the Tsubame Sakura Festival
Kinki / Kansai
(近畿・関西)
The Kansai area is by far the most popular place to visit for travelers to Japan. With the ancient capital Kyoto a couple of hours by train from the Kansai airport it is no wonder why people find a trip there a must. However, be aware that Kyoto gets completely packed with tourists during the sakura season. Personally, I would recommend a visit to Kyoto right before/after the sakura season is over, as there are plenty of other beautiful places to see in the area with a lot less tourist.
Wakayama
When to visit: March 31st - April 7th
Osaka
When to visit: April 3rd - 9th
Above: From Osaka's Expo Commemoration Park
Kyoto
When to visit: April 4th - 10th
Above: Sakura by Arashiyama
Nara
When to visit: April 5th - 11th
Kobe
When to visit: April 5th - 11th
Hikone
When to visit: April 9th - 15th
Chugoku / Shikoku
(中国・四国)
With its strategic position between Kansai and Kyushu, Chugoku literarily means "middle country", and this western part of Honshu (Japan's main island) offers anything from historical sites and contemporary art. Shikoku (lit. "four provinces") on the other hand is the smallest and least populated of the 5 main Japanese islands, but return it offers stunning nature and unique cultural experiences. As for the cherry blossoms, you can enjoy the sakura season in this region from late March till mid-April.
Kochi
When to visit: March 25th - April 2nd
Matsuyama
When to visit: March 31st - April 8th
Shimonoseki
When to visit: March 31st - April 8th
Tokushima
When to visit: April 2nd - 8th
Takamatsu
When to visit: April 2nd - 9th
Okayama
When to visit: April 3rd - 9th
Hiroshima
When to visit: April 3rd - 10th
Tottori
When to visit: April 7th - 13th
Matsue
When to visit: April 8th - 14th
Kyushu
(九州)
Japan's third largest island Kyushu is situated to the southwest of the main island Honshu and boasts of a mostly subtropical climate. If you want to be in time for the sakura season it is wise to start planning early, as most areas already finish blooming by the beginning of April.
Kumamoto
When to visit: March 29th - April 5th
Oita
When to visit: March 31st - April 8th
Nagasaki
When to visit: March 29th - April 5th
Miyazaki
When to visit: March 29th - April 5th
Fukuoka
When to visit: March 29th - April 5th
Kagoshima
When to visit: March 29th - April 6th
Saga
When to visit: March 31st - April 7th
Related blog posts
- All blog posts about Cherry Blossoms
- Kanto:
- Mt. Fuji & Sakura: Maruyama Kouen (丸山公園) and Iwadono Castle (岩殿城)
- Tokyo Cherry Blossom Spots: Nakameguro's Meguro River (目黒川)
- Hiking in Tokyo: Sakura viewing (花見) at Mount Takao
- Cherry Blossoms and Jogging in Tokyo: The Imperial Palace (皇居)
- Saitama: Sakura Season & Washi no Sato World Heritage Paper Making in Chichibu
- Chubu:
- The Tsubame Sakura Matsuri: Cherry Blossom PR & Last Minute Preparations
- Behind the Scene of the Tsubame Sakura Matsuri Festival - The Oiran Dochu
- Izu: Sakura Viewing at the Kawazu Sakura Festival (伊豆河津桜まつり)
- Early March Cherry Blossom Viewing in Shonan - Oide River (小出川)
- Kansai:
- Sakura Season in Kansai - Hanami in the Expo ’70 Commemorative Park!
- Spring in Japan: Sakura Season and Hanami in Kyoto!
- Spring in Kyoto: Ritsumeikan University Orientation Week and Cherry Blossom Hanami!
- Sakura Season: Weekend Trip to Nara
- All blog posts from Japan
Recommended Sakura View Hotels in Tokyo
Hotel Chinzanso ★★★★★ → review . | Hotel New Otani Tokyo ★★★★★ . | The Prince Sakura Tower Tokyo ★★★★★ , | Grand Prince Hotel New Takanawa ★★★★ . |
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Thank you for reading! Please feel free to leave any comments or questions below
~Anette
About Anette
Anette came to Japan as an exchange student in 2010, met the love of her life and got stuck. From her base in Tokyo she writes about her experiences as a full-time worker in Tokyo and about her travels in Japan and abroad. She's a free-spirited adventurer who enjoys both the great outdoors and her urban lifestyle.
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