Plan A Japan Sakura (Cherry Blossom) Tour 2025

Wondering about a Japan tour with the full-bloom cherry blossoms(sakura) but have no idea where to start? Narrow down your departure date, choose the city you want to visit, read on and let this article be your guide to planning a cherry blossom tour of Japan.

Pick up the Date for Cherry Blossom Sightseeing

Thanks to the wide latitude between north and south, Japan has a quite long flowering season for you to admire the cherry blossoms from late January to early May, from the southern island with tropical style to the northern river town as peaceful as a fairytale. To feature the various charms of Japan, narrowing down the date for sightseeing could be your first step. The official Cherry Blossom forecast might be published in January 2025, so you can take 2024 as an example for your plan.

Japan Cherry Blossom Map in 2024

February to March: Sakura Along the Coast

Although it is known as a famous spring flower, the early-blooming cherry blossoms weakened by the humid sea breeze can even offer a chance to capture a glimpse of the winter sakura around the coastal city of Kawazu and Atami, as well as the southern island of Okinawa, making it a great time to enjoy both flower and sea.

With the first flowering in late January and full bloom in February, there is no need to wait for the high season between March and April, which means a quiet period with fewer crowds, a low budget, an ideal backdrop for photographs as well as a nice room to stay in.

March to April: Enjoy the Best of Cherry Blossoms

As the peak season to admiring the somei yoshino sakura, a Japan tour during this time can experience the most of festival atmospheres. It is the blooming time for both the events and cherry blossoms since almost all the city flowers are in full bloom, including the metropolis of Tokyo, historic Kyoto, leisurely Osaka, as well as the stunning Mt. Fuji.

Pink Somei Yoshino Sakura

For an authentic hanami experience with the best sakura set against a classic Japanese backdrop, join the locals in their grand hanami celebration of the arrival of spring.

April to May: North to Capture the Late Sakura

Although the flowering period of cherry blossoms doesn't last long, you can still take advantage of the end of spring to catch the adorable sakura in the north before the blooming of the summer fireworks. With bright sunshine as well as the gentle sea breezes, it is a great time to immerse yourself in the pink petals without worrying about the crowds.

Whether you're looking for a quieter environment or to make up for missing the high season, Hokkaido's tranquil towns and late cherry blossoms in May will still satisfy your needs.

Select Your Cherry Blossom Viewing Spots

Once you have decided on your travel dates, take a look at the cities that might be on your wish list. As the regions where the cherry blossoms open earliest, Kawazu and Atami in central and southern Okinawa Prefecture are usually the top destinations for early spring travel. For late sakura viewing, Hokkaido in the north is a good choice. Meanwhile, there are more options during the peak season since most of the central region offers an excellent Hanami experience.

Sakura in Okinawa Prefecture

Naha

Home to Yogi Park and the famous Naha Cherry Blossom Festival. Unlike the pale pink of the somei yoshino in the center, these dark pink kanhizakura in February are sure to impress you at first sight. For another bright color to make your trip unique, a visit to the ruins of the crimson Shuri Castle will not disappoint.

Okinawa

The early spring cherry blossom viewing at Mt. Yae is a terrific opportunity to get close to nature. Whether you climb or cycle up the mountain routes, you'll be rewarded with views of pink blooms amongst the green slopes at the summit. It's also worth noting that a trip to Okinawa in February is ideal for whale-watching.

Cherry Blossom in Central Japan

Tokyo

As a cosmopolitan city, Tokyo offers a variety of ways to enjoy the cherry blossoms during the peak season. Take a boat ride around the Imperial Palace, picnic in flower-filled Shinjuku Gyoen or Ueno Park, or follow the lights along the banks of the Kurome River to see the sakura at night.

Kurome River Night Sakura

Kyoto

The ancient city of the millennium is an ideal site to discover the historical charm of Japan. Not only can you capture the sakura blossoms with traditional architecture such as the Kiyomizu-dera and the Fushimi Inari Taisha, but there is also the picturesque Gion for you to immerse yourself in a range of Japanese culture derived from the cherry blossoms.

Cherry Blossoms Around the Kiyomizu-dera

Osaka

Osaka is an ideal starting point for a leisurely cherry blossom viewing tour. For a different view of hanami, take a boat ride on the moat of Osaka Castle, or board a water bus to observe the pink blossoms along the Oikawa River. After going through the sakura tunnel in front of the Mint Museum, fill your stomach with a variety of gourmet delicacies while the neon lights of Dotonbori shine.

Osaka Castle Behind the Cherry Blossoms

Nara

Watching the cherry blossoms in Nara is always a vivid experience. The vibrant forest here creates the perfect environment for the cherry blossoms to grow, and you can see the magnificent pink and green mountain scenery of Wakayama, as well as the sakura surrounding Nara Park, with its welcoming deer greeting you with falling petals on their heads.

Cherry Blossoms and Deer in Nara Park

Hiroshima

If you want to make your trip to Japan's cherry blossom season even more amazing, bring your camera and include Hiroshima in your itinerary. The combination of war sites and vibrant sakura trees in the Peace Memorial Park is quite impressive, while the floating sea shrine and its magnificent pink flowers on Itsukushima Island are a bit more glorious.

Floating Itsukushima Shrine with Cherry Blossoms

Kanazawa

A visit to Kanazawa will show you a different part of Japan. The grey Kanazawa Castle dotted with bright sakura still retains the atmosphere of the Edo period, and the triangular Japanese farmhouse in Shirakawago together with the cherry blossoms create a quiet and peaceful atmosphere, making Kanazawa an ideal place to wander your mind over a cup of sake.

Hakone

How about a special hanami experience with a soak in the warm water? Head to Hakone for your onsen paradise. Book an onsen ryokan with an outdoor bath and let the hot springs wash over your body and soul as you admire the bright moon behind the branches and petals. More importantly, there are a few rooms from which you can catch a glimpse of distant Mt. Fuji hidden in the mist.

Atami

A seaside city with a unique onsen experience in central Japan, perfect for starting your springtime hanami as early as February. With the first bloom in January, the cherry blossom here can last until March, making Atami a welcoming city for the multi-experience of the enchanting castle, flower-filled coastline, hot springs and romantic beach.

Kawazu

Home to the special Kawazu-zakura, a kind of early sakura that has been decorating the city with vibrant cherry blossoms as early as February, making Kawazu one of the earliest cities to celebrate the festival of spring. Take part in the Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival, a perfect opportunity to see the spring colors of bright yellow rapeseed blossoms and pink sakura.

Sakura in Southern Japan

Sapporo

Known for the winter Sapporo Snow Festival with those creative snow and ice sculptures, you can also capture the fancy cherry blossoms hidden beneath the white snow at the site of Odori Park in May. Apart from the sakura, the white plum blossoms at Hokkaido Jingu are also awakened by the warm breeze, which can add a delightful surprise to your spring journey.

Hakodate

A cherry blossom tour in Hakodate can be a little more elaborate, especially the ingenious garden design of Goryokaku Park, with a sea of pink blossoms that can swallow you whole. Make your way to the top of the Goryokaku Tower for the best view with your camera. Then slow down at Sakuragaoka-dori, where you can enjoy the romance of walking under the falling blossoms.

Number of Days Spent in Japanese Cherry Blossom Season

For a complete cherry blossom tour, it is usually advisable to stay in Japan for a week, which is enough time to see the most representative cherry blossom displays in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka.

Of course, you can extend your trip to 10 days to see more of the Golden Triangle area, such as interacting with the deer in the flower-covered Nara Park or walking on the sandy beaches of Atami, where the waves are adorned with pink flower petals.

If you don't want to be rushed, a 14-day itinerary is also highly recommended. Not only does it allow you to enjoy the best of the season at your own pace, but it also gives you a better understanding of the culture and local life of the country through the flower-arranging experience, market exploration, and more.

Tips for A Cherry Blossom Tour in Japan

Get A Japan Rail Pass to Travel Around Japan

To make traveling between cities in Japan easier, it is highly recommended that you purchase a Japan Rail Pass at major train stations to take advantage of the convenience of Japan's railways, which can take you to almost all major cities. With the help of the Shinkansen, a round trip between Osaka and Kyoto can be reduced to just 20 minutes, which comes in handy when admiring the sakura of different cities.

Bring A Jacket for Your Cherry Blossom Tour

Although it's already a warm spring day in Japan during the cherry blossom season, with average temperatures reaching a comfortable 20 degrees, it's still a little chilly if you're having a picnic in the park or just sitting around admiring the blossoms. A light jacket or a soft scarf would be more helpful. If Hokkaido is your destination, make sure you bring a heavy jacket to protect yourself from the slightly colder weather in the north.

Book Your Trip 6-9 Months in Advance

The welcoming cherry blossom season is more popular than you can imagine. Not only do overseas tourists fall for the charm of the sakura, but also the local Japanese never lose their passion to fulfill the tradition of spring hanami. So don't hesitate to book your trip in advance to get a comfortable and convenient hotel.

Follow the Cherry Blossom Viewing Etiquette

To ensure that the cherry blossom trees will continue to bloom beautifully next year, in addition to refraining from shaking, climbing, or breaking branches and leaves, please do not step on or sit on the roots of the trees during your hanami picnic.

Cherry Blossom Itineraries for Your Reference

A 7-day sakura viewing route to experience the specialty of cherry blossoms in different regions, 10 days with the pink blossoms to have fun with different themes, or a 14-day trip for an in-depth tour of Japan? Contact Odynovo for more itinerary ideas to free you up for planning.