Ultimate Guide To Cherry Blossoms In Japan: Best Places & Peak Viewing Times

Hanami is the Japanese custom of stopping to enjoy the brief beauty of the blooming cherry blossom trees. Flower viewing is a big thing in Japan, but there are so many spots you can visit it can be dizzying trying to figure out where to go! We’re here to help, with this epic compilation of the best places to see cherry blossoms in Japan. 

Cherry blossoms are the national flower of Japan, and sakura is one of the prettiest seasons. Whilst most of the trees bloom in spring, there is a little island off the coast of Japan where you can see the flowers in winter! From stunning mountains to city parks, get ready to be inspired by these beautiful sakura spots!

Best Places To See The Cherry Blossom In Japan

Get ready to discover the best hanami spots in Japan and learn about the importance of sakura trees in Japanese culture!

1. Nishinomaru Garden, Osaka

The giant Nishinomaru Garden is home to more than 4,000 cherry blossom trees! An urban sakura oasis, it is one of the best places in the city of Osaka to enjoy the custom of hanami. 

Wander through the park and you’ll come to the famous Osaka Castle. Nestled in the center of Osaka castle park, it was built in 1583. Surrounded by two stone bridges and a moat, the castle was built in a traditional Japanese style, so it looks a lot like a giant temple.

The castle is especially beautiful when the cherry trees are in full bloom. Delicate pink petals frame the castle and litter the park floor, which is more beautiful than ever in cherry blossom season.  

For the best views head to the castle’s western citadel. There are long stretches of lawn there where you can stop for a picnic or just enjoy an hour of gentle hanami with views of the castle tower and surrounding cherry trees. 

History buffs will love this 3 hour walking tour! You’ll learn loads about the castle’s history from a friendly local and get to visit all the best hanami spots on the castle grounds.

Where To Stay By Nishinomaru Garden

Hotel New Otani is just a short walk away from the Osaka Castle grounds, and lots of their rooms even have amazing views of the castle and nearby river! During the cherry blossom season, the walkway along the river is lined with blooming cherry trees which add to the hotel’s charm. 

We think it’s an awesome choice as you’ll be able to see the cherry blossoms practically from your bed, and there’s also a spa at the hotel you can wind down in.

2. Ueno Park, Tokyo

The Ueno Park in Tokyo is one of the best places in the city to see the colorful cherry blossom trees in bloom. Walk through the park gates and you’ll find yourself surrounded by pink petals in every direction! 

There are also a number of museums in the park, like the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum and the National Museum of Western Art, so you can break up your hanami practice with visits to some of the museums if you like.

One of the things that makes Ueno Park so special during the cherry blossom season is that the park is dotted with charming temples, like the Shinobazu No Ike Benten-do temple that’s built on a little island in the big Shinobazu Pond and the Ueno Toshogu Shrine. The temples look especially picturesque when the pink cherry blossom trees are in flower! 

Get lost in this vast park that is home to some 1,200 cherry blossom trees. The first cherry blossom was planted in the park some 400 years ago, when the priest Tenkai brought a tree from Mt Yoshino and planted it in the park. 

Each year the park hosts the Ueno Cherry Blossom Festival, sometime between late March to early April (the dates change each year since it depends when the cherry trees will bloom). The park comes to life with families picnicking there, colorful parades, and live music! At night the park looks especially magical, as the park is lit up with the soft glow of 800 lanterns.

Where To Stay Near Ueno Park

The lavish &Here Tokyo Ueno Hotel is located just outside the park walls, very close to the Shinobazuno Pond area. They have beautiful rooms that are great for a luxurious holiday! 

After a long day walking around Ueno Park, make the most of their wellness area.

3. Mount Yoshino, Nara Prefecture

Mount Yoshino is possibly the best place to see cherry blossom trees in the whole of Japan! It’s not just today that it’s top of the list of hanami destinations, it’s been a famous cherry blossom spot for centuries! 

It’s thought that the first sakura trees were planted on the hill more than 1,300 years ago. Incredibly, nowadays there are 30,000 cherry trees on this breathtaking slope!

The slope is divided into four sections, the Shino Senbon at the base of the slope, Naka Senbon in the middle, Kami Senbon a bit higher up, and finally Oku Senbon at the top of the mountain. There are footpaths that weave their way up Mount Yoshino, passing by temples and through the little mountain village. 

Towards the base of the mountain and hidden amongst the pink cherry trees, you’ll find the Kinpusenji Temple and Yoshimizu Shrine. Continue along the trail and you’ll come to the breathtaking Naka Senbon Park, a popular place to take photos up close with the pink flowers.

Further up in the Kami Senbon area of the mountain, you’ll find the Hanayagura Viewpoint! From here you can see over the entire slope and capture magical photos of the 30,000 cherry trees that stretch out in the distance. It takes about an hour by foot to reach the viewpoint from the mountain, but it’s worth the up-hill slog!

The upper area of Mount Yoshino has fewer cherry trees, so if you come in peak blossom season, you don’t really need to hike to the top (the views aren’t as clear higher up). That said, the cherry trees at the top bloom about a week later than in the lower down sections of Mount Yoshino, so if you’re visiting Japan in mid to late April, the Takagiyama Observation Deck at the top is the best spot to come!

If you’re staying in Osaka or Tokyo and you want to visit Mt Yoshino on a day trip, this full-day Mt Yoshino private tour is a great option. They have different pickup locations and it’s always cool to learn more about the tradition of hanami and the local area. It visits all the best photo spots too!

Where To Stay Near Mt Yoshino

Hounkan is a lovely, family-run ryokan. Their traditional Japanese house has comfy rooms with mountain views! There’s also a public bath and sauna at the hotel, which is a welcome place to chill after a long day hiking through the cherry trees.

The owners are super friendly and will even come and pick you up from the nearby Yoshino train station if you don’t have a car. One of the best things about staying here is that breakfast and dinner is included!

4. Nakijin Castle Site, Island Of Okinawa

This little Japanese island off the coast of the mainland in the East China Sea is a unique place to see cherry blossoms, not just because of how beautiful it is, but also because it has a subtropical climate, which means the cherry blossom season takes place much earlier in the year than anywhere else in Japan. From mid-January to mid-February, the island comes to life in vibrant shades of pinks. 

Whilst on the mainland most of the cherry trees you’ll see are of the Yoshino or hill cherry variety, on Okinawa the hikanzakura variety is the most abundant. They have slightly darker petals and they don’t shed their petals one by one, instead the whole flower falls off the tree at the end of its brief bloom. 

The best place on the island to indulge in the practice of hanami, the Japanese custom of cherry blossom viewing, is the Nakijin Castle Site. Originally built in the 13th century as a fortress for the northern area of the island, the gorgeous grey Ryukyu limestone of the old castle ruins contrasts beautifully with the dark pink cherry blossom flowers. 

Stroll along the cobblestone paths that weave through the castle ruins and enjoy some winter hanami on this unique island!

Where To Stay Near The Nakijin Castle Ruins On Okinawa Island

Enjoy the warm subtropical climate on Okinawa Island with a stay at the luxurious glamping cabins at The Lodge Okinawa. Soak in the surrounding nature without compromising on any amenities! Air conditioning, fridges, coffee machines – they’ve got it all. There’s also a sauna onsite! 

Just 2 minutes’ drive away from the castle ruins and within walking distance to several beaches, like Gushiken Beach, the location couldn’t be more perfect.

5. Himeji Castle, Hyogo Prefecture

With more than 1,000 cherry blossom trees dotted around the castle grounds and along the castle walls, Himeji Castle is one of the most iconic places to come during the sakura season.

This breathtaking castle, also known as the White Heron Castle, took 200 years to complete. It was built slowly. It began as a hilltop fortification in 1333, but the castle you see today wasn’t finished until 1609. A fascinating fact about the castle is that it’s one of just 12 castles in Japan that haven’t been burned down, bombed or destroyed over the last few centuries. 

If you want to learn more about the castle’s history as well as see the cherry trees, book this guided walking tour and learn everything there is to know about this iconic UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Blend history, tradition, and hanami at the Himeji Castle Cherry Blossom Viewing Festival! From late March to early April, when the glistening castle is framed by light pink petals and the grounds come to life with traditional koto harp performances and rhythmic taiko drumming performances! 

On the day of the festival, visitors can also join traditional tea ceremonies and get tipsy on local sake favorites. It’s an energetic time of year to visit the castle grounds, but even during the festival you can escape to quiet areas for some tranquil hanami time. Keep an eye out for the rare shidarezakura weeping cherry trees on the grounds.

There are free and paid areas of the castle you can retreat to. The Senhime Botan Garden is a small and intimate garden area that’s free to get into and is a great place to see the cherry blossoms. One of the best paid sections of the grounds in the Nishinomaru section where you can capture epic angles of the castle for your holiday photos!

Himeji Castle is also an epic place to come for some nighttime cherry blossom viewing. During the peak blooming period, from late March to early April, some 70 cherry blossom trees are illuminated in magnificent colors from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM.

Where To Stay Near Himeji Castle

If you decide to stay near Himeji Castle instead of hiring a car and visiting the grounds on a day trip from one of the major cities nearby, then we suggest you book a stay at Hotel Monterey Himeji. They have beautiful spacious rooms with different layouts that are perfect for solo travelers, couples, and even families!

The hotel is so close to Himeji Castle that you can even see it from some of the hotel’s bedroom windows, and there’s also a relaxing onsen onsite where you can wind down in the evenings.

6. Chureito Pagoda, Mount Fuji Five Lakes Region

Looking for a spot with epic views of Mt Fuji and vibrant cherry trees in bloom? Chureito Pagoda should be at the top of your list! The five-storey high pagoda was built on a mountainside opposite Mt Fuji. It attracts visitors year-round anyway as it’s one of the best Mt Fuji viewpoints, but during cherry blossom season it’s even more amazing. 

The pagoda is part of the Arakura Sengen Shrine, a peace memorial that was built in 1963. Between the shrine and the pagoda, where there’s a stunning viewing deck, there are about 400 steps. But it’s worth the climb! If your knees aren’t up to taking the steps, there’s also a winding path that goes to the pagoda.

It’s such a great spot that it’s made it onto our 10 Day Japan Itinerary For First Timers too! The above photo is from our visit in November but can only imagine how spectacular the cherry blossoms here would be.

During sakura season, the observation deck can get really busy, so they limit it to 50 people and give groups 5 minutes each. It’s a bit of a bummer having to wait in a queue, but honestly the views of the pink cherry trees with the mighty, snow-capped Mt Fuji in the distance are out of this world!

There’s also a sakura festival at the base of the pagoda, you’ll see lots of food stalls at the bottom and you might even catch some festivities! 

If you want to explore more of the Five Lakes region, book this awesome private tour from Tokyo! It goes to the Chureito Pagoda as well as the Hakone Open-Air Museum, Owakudani Valley, Lake Ashi, and the Hakone Shrine. You’ll get to see loads of the area and visit secret hanami spots.

Where To Stay Near Chureito Pagoda

Guesthouse Sakura is a spacious apartment above a family-run cafe. It’s right by the Chureito Pagoda, and has everything you need for a short stay. It’s a great option for bigger groups and families too as the property can sleep up to 8 people. You’ve got to try the matcha they make in their cafe too!

7. Miharu Takizakura, Fukushima Prefecture

Miharu Takizakura is considered by many as Japan’s most beautiful cherry blossom tree! It has long weeping branches covered in light pink flowers and is a lot bigger than most cherry trees. 

The tree is in the central Fukushima prefecture, in the town of Miharu. It’s no coincidence that the word takizakura means ‘waterfall cherry tree’. Supported by a thick 9.5 meter wide trunk, the tree’s twisty branches stretch up to 20 meters in different directions! It’s hard to get a sense of just how giant the tree is until you’re standing below it!

It’s thought that the tree is more than a thousand years old, so there are few places in Japan that are as special during the sakura season.

Where To Stay Near Miharu Takizakura

The homely Tomato House is a cozy homestay near Miharu. The host is very attentive and puts on a great morning spread! The room is cozy and big enough for a night’s stay. Surrounded by nature and a quiet atmosphere, it’s a tranquil spot that feels tucked away from life’s usual fast pace. There are some hot springs nearby too!

Best Time To View Cherry Blossoms In Japan

When it comes to sakura season, timing is everything. Get your dates wrong by just a few days and you could miss the chance to see the cherry blossoms in bloom! Generally, you can think of the sakura season taking place in spring, between late March and early April.

There are some exceptions to the rule though, and they’re important to know about! One of the best places to see cherry blossoms, which is included in this guide, is Okinawa Island. 

Like all of the cherry blossoms on Japan’s southern subtropical islands, the sakura season here happens a lot earlier than on the mainland. You can stop and practice hanami as early as mid-January on these islands thanks to their warmer climate. The blossoms tend to last till about mid-February.

On the mainland, the blossom starts in the south and the sakura season slowly stretches north, getting later the further north you go! It’s better to think of the cherry blossom season as a wave of blooms that move up the country rather than a single blossom that has a fixed date.

In Japan’s most northerly regions, like Hokkaido, the blossom can bloom well into May. So depending on when you can get time off work you can travel to different parts of the country to witness the sakura season!

But there’s an added complication – the weather! Depending on the weather each year the cherry blossoms can bloom a little later or a little earlier than usual. Unless there are extremely unexpected weather conditions, this shift is usually only a few days or a week, but that can make a real difference if you’re on a short visit. 

Make sure you don’t miss the best of sakura season by using this sakura forecast map! Each year they update their forecast based on regional weather conditions, for different areas of the country and specific cities you can check the dates when the first bloom (when the first buds start to open) and full bloom. We love this sakura forecast because it’s easy to understand and gives very specific predictions! Hopefully you’ll find it useful too.

Cherry Blossom Season Packing Guide

The best hanami spots are in Japan’s city parks, at the top of little mountains, hidden away on secluded islands, and on the grounds of the country’s most famous castles. Pack comfortable and casual clothes, and think about bringing along these specific items:

• Comfortable shoes: Cherry blossom viewing involves a fair amount of walking! So, pack your comfiest trainers or even some lightweight hiking boots.
• Pack a warm jumper: To see the cherry trees without the crowds you’ll want to get up as early as possible, and in spring it can still be a little chilly early in the morning.
• Bring your best camara: Going to see the cherry blossoms in Japan is a once in a lifetime opportunity! You might want to think about packing other accessories like selfie sticks too.
• Remember to pack a travel adapter: You’ll need a two-pronged Type A for Japan, so check your plugs to see if you need to get an adapter ahead of your trip.
• Get some Japanese Yen ready before your trip. It’s always a good idea to pack some cash in the local currency before your trip in case you need cash to pay for your transport from the airport or you find yourself in a sticky situation. 
• During the cherry blossom viewing festivals, there are also lots of little food stalls that only take cash, so make sure you check that you can use your bank card to take out Japanese Yen whilst you’re abroad without being charged hefty fees! If not, plan ahead and bring all the travel money you think you’ll need. In our 10 day Japan itinerary we estimated it costs about $147 per person per day to travel in Japan.
• Check if you need a Visa ahead of your trip! Most countries don’t need a Visa for a short holiday in Japan, but make sure you check the unique requirements for your country so you don’t run into any unexpected problems. You can find out more on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan website.
• Bring hand sanitizer: It’s not unusual for there to be no soap in public and restaurant toilets in Japan.

Take A Break And Indulge In The Practice Of Hanami

The best places to see the cherry blossom are dotted around Japan. From pagodas with views of Mt Fuji to city parks with thousands of sakura trees, we’ve picked all the most scenic spots for hanami.

Each area has its own cherry blossom season, so check your dates carefully and try to visit during a sakura festival if you can! If you can’t get out to Japan during the springtime, you can even see the cherry trees bloom in winter on Okinawa Island instead. Get ready for a holiday of tranquil hanami and delving into Japan’s sakura traditions.

Sakura Season Frequently Asked Questions