Japanese Cherry Blossom Viewing Guide 2025
Cherry blossom viewing, or hanami in Japanese, is a beloved tradition for locals and one of the most popular activities for visitors during a spring trip to Japan. With a wide variety of sakura species and different blooming periods across regions, we've put together this comprehensive cherry blossom viewing guide to help you plan the perfect hanami experience, including blooming forecasts, the best spots to enjoy the flowers, and more.
Why Admire Cherry Blossoms in Japan
Japan, a country where the cherry blossom is a common sight from south to north, boasts one of the highest densities of sakura trees in the world. Whether in parks, mountains or along the streets, the ubiquitous pink blossoms offer easy sightseeing and countless opportunities to capture their delicate beauty.
Also thanks to the wide distribution, the flowering season spans from late January to May, giving you ample time and choices to enjoy the blossoms as you prefer.
What's more, cherry blossom viewing in Japan is more than just admiring the flowers - it's a cultural experience. The sakura festivals, complete with traditional performances and dances set against the backdrop of blooming trees, with the soft melodies of the past accompanying the falling petals, will immerse you in the emotional beauty and timeless spirit of the season.
Cherry Blossoms in Japan
When Is Japan's Cherry Blossom Season 2025
Traditionally, Japan's cherry blossom season runs from late March to early April, when the sakura trees across Honshu are in full bloom. For example, Tokyo comes alive with lively cherry blossom festivals, while Kyoto offers enchanting night-time illuminations to enjoy the beauty of the flowers under the stars.
Before the peak season, from late January to March, the subtropical islands of Okinawa and places such as Kawazu and Atami on the south coast of Tokyo display early cherry blossoms. For those traveling later, from mid-April to May, Hokkaido offers the chance to experience the later sakura season in the cooler northern regions.
Japan Cherry Blossom Forecast Map 2025
Note: most of the sakura blossoms usually take about a week to reach full bloom, which also takes about a week to wither.
Best Time to See Japan Cherry Blossoms 2025
The peak cherry blossom season, from late March to early April, is widely regarded as the best time to see sakura in Japan. However, the exact flowering dates can vary from region to region. Before planning your trip, be sure to check the latest 2025 cherry blossom forecast to find the estimated bloom dates for each city.
| City | Flowering Date | Full Bloom |
| Sapporo | April 18 | April 24 |
| Aomori | April 15 | April 18 |
| Sendai | April 2 | April 9 |
| Nagano | April 8 | April 13 |
| Tokyo | March 29 | April 4 |
| Kyoto | March 29 | April 5 |
| Osaka | March 30 | April 6 |
| Hiroshima | March 25 | April 5 |
| Fukuoka | March 27 | April 2 |
| Okinawa | January 13 | February 5 |
According to Japan Meteorological Corporation, the annual forecast of the blooming date for 2025 will be announced in January 2025, we will update you with more specific flowering times as they become available, please keep checking back!
Where to See Cherry Blossoms in Japan 2025
Okinawa - Take the First Glimpse of the Spring Color
Okinawa, the southern tropical-like archipelago quite far from the main island, is famous for its beautiful beaches and year-round warm temperatures, making it the earliest place to admire the blooming sakura flowers in the unexpected January, where you can find the pink blossom dotted stone walls of the Nakijin Castle, as well as the lovely deep pink scenery of Mt. Yae and the lively celebrations at the foot of the mountain.
Atami - Capture the Early Cherry Blossom
About a 2-hour drive from Tokyo, the easily accessible coastal city of Atami is also a good place to admire the earlier-blooming Atami sakura, a unique species to see the two layers of the early and late flowers on the same branch. With its special promenade cherry blossom festival accompanied by gentle sea breezes, as well as soft beaches and hot springs to enjoy, it is an ideal day tour destination from Tokyo.
Tokyo - Bustling With Cherry Blossom Festivals
With many cherry blossoms around the parks and streets, Tokyo is one of the best places to enjoy the spring hanami party with a relaxing atmosphere and festive fun. From modern parks to ancient gardens, it is quite easy to find your ideal sakura viewing spot. Take Ueno Park, for example, where you can picnic under the bright pink petals while watching traditional song and dance performances.
Kyoto - After the Dark Perspective of Yozakura
Kyoto offers a stunning combination of cherry blossoms and traditional Nippon-style architecture. Head to Kiyomizu-Dera for a bird's-eye view of the entire city and the flower-covered temple, or to the delicate royal garden at Nijo Castle with its variety of flowers. Above all, the night light shows offer a different perspective on the spring blossoms, which can be an impressive experience to feel Japanese elegance.
Osaka - Tasty Hanami With Food & Delicacy
Known as Japan's food capital, cherry blossom viewing in Osaka is also a food lover's tour, featuring a range of street foods, classic Japanese dishes, and seasonal sakura-flavored treats. Picture a riverside picnic along the Okawa River with wagashi sweets shaped like cherry blossom, or take advantage of Osaka's riverways by cruising along its pink-lined banks.
Hokkaido - Catch the Tail of the Spring
In northern Japan, Hokkaido, at a slightly higher latitude, you can enjoy late cherry blossoms until May, when the weather warms up and the crowds thin out. Here you'll find more Yamazakura cherry trees - from the 10,000 cherry trees around Matsumae Castle to Hakodate's star-shaped park, which is adorned with vibrant pink blossoms in full bloom for a particularly stunning spring experience.
Types of Cherry Blossom Trees in Japan
Japan is home to around 100 native cherry blossom species that grow naturally, the most common and iconic being the Someiyoshino (Yoshino Cherry). Here are some popular cherry tree varieties you may come across during your visit to Japan.
- Someiyoshino (Yoshino Cherry): This classic cherry blossom, with delicate five-petalled flowers in a pale pink (almost white) hue, is widely planted in parks, gardens and along roads, creating a beautiful canopy when in full bloom.
- Yamazakura (Mountain Cherry): A wild species found in mountainous areas, Yamazakura also has five pale pink petals but produces both leaves and flowers at the same time, making it visually distinct from Yoshino Cherry.
- Yaezakura (Double Cherry Blossom): Known for its abundant layers of petals, ranging from 10 to 100, Yaezakura flowers come in a variety of shades from deep to light pink and stay on the tree longer than other varieties, making it a highlight of the cherry blossom season.
- Shidarezakura (Weeping Cherry): This variety resembles a willow tree with its cascading branches. Beloved for its poetic beauty, Shidarezakura creates long flowering tunnels and "blossom waterfalls", providing a breathtaking experience for spring visitors.
Yoshino Cherry
Yoshino CherryTips for Japan Cherry Blossom Trip Planning
Book in Advance
To make your sakura trip to Japan as smooth as possible, it's highly recommended to plan ahead. Cherry blossom season draws both international and local tourists, so popular hotels and transportation options like the Shinkansen tend to book up well in advance. For visitors planning to stay in Kyoto, it's best to reserve accommodations 8 to 9 months early.
Choose Your Ideal Time
Budget is another important factor when planning your cherry blossom trip. As this is one of Japan's peak travel times, so hotel rates can surge to nearly triple the usual price.
If you're looking to cut costs, consider visiting Japan's early bloomers in February or the late blossoms in Hokkaido in May, when prices are typically lower.
Start Your Japan Cherry Blossom Tour With Odynovo
The cherry blossom season in Japan is all about joy and celebration, and the diversity of the country ensures that every location can be a stunning place to view the beautiful flowers. From the most famous to the lesser known, from the best time to must-see, please contact Odynovo at [email protected] for your tailor-made itinerary.
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