Sakura · Late March to May
Where to see cherry blossoms in Japan
Hanami, going out to see and celebrate the cherry blossoms, is one of Japan’s best-loved traditions. The blossom moves from south to north: it starts in Okinawa in winter, reaches Tokyo and Kyoto in late March and ends in Hokkaido in May. These are the best places to see it.
Updated 20 October 2026 · How we make our guides
The big cities
They usually bloom between late March and early April; full bloom lasts about a week.
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JapanTokyo
Ueno Park, the Chidorigafuchi moat by the Imperial Palace and the Meguro River, lit up at dusk.
Late March and early April
What to see in Tokyo -
JapanKyoto
The Philosopher’s Path along the canal, Maruyama Park and cherry trees beside temples and shrines.
Late March and early April
What to see in Kyoto -
JapanOsaka
The grounds of Osaka Castle, full of cherry trees and people enjoying hanami.
Late March and early April
What to see in Osaka -
JapanNara
Nara Park, with its free-roaming deer beneath the cherry trees and temples in the background.
Early April
What to see in Nara
Other places
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JapanMount Fuji
The cherry trees of Lake Kawaguchiko with snow-capped Fuji behind, one of the most famous images of spring in Japan.
Mid-April
What to see in Mount Fuji -
JapanKanazawa
Kenroku-en, one of Japan’s three great gardens, with its cherry trees next to the castle.
Early April
What to see in Kanazawa -
JapanSapporo
The last to bloom, in Hokkaido, with the city’s parks full of people in May.
Early May
What to see in Sapporo -
JapanOkinawa
The first of the year: Okinawa’s deep-pink cherry blossoms open in the middle of winter.
Late January to February
What to see in Okinawa
Frequently asked questions
When do the cherry trees bloom in Japan?
It depends on the region and the year: in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka it is usually between late March and early April; in Okinawa, in January and February; and in Hokkaido, in early May. Official forecasts are published in winter.
Where can you see the cherry blossoms in Japan?
In Tokyo (Ueno, Chidorigafuchi, the Meguro River), in Kyoto (the Philosopher’s Path, Maruyama Park), at Osaka Castle, in Nara and at Lake Kawaguchiko with Fuji behind.
Do you need to book well ahead?
Yes: it is the most sought-after season of the year in Japan, and accommodation in Kyoto and Tokyo fills up months in advance.
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Reviewed 20 October 2026. Dates and seasonal warnings: the same data the Bagintravel app uses. Sources and method.
Cover photo: Kirin7739 (CC BY 4.0), Wikimedia Commons.