Top 14 places in Japan to see cherry blossom

Once the cherry blossoms (sakura) arrive in Japan, swathes of the country are bathed in pale pink light, with a heavenly scent and thousands of petals floating through the air. Depicted by countless artists and considered an emblem of the country, cherry blossom season is a magnificent sight and one of the best moments to visit.

Though it’s tricky to predict exactly when the cherry blossom will reach full bloom (mankai), you can still enjoy warm, mild weather and lots of spring cultural events around this time of year. We’ve included the estimated dates of first bloom and full bloom for optimised cherry blossom viewing.

Here are the most popular destinations for witnessing the sakura spectacle.

Kochi is the herald of spring, with its early cherry blossoms that paint the city in hues of pink by late March. The first iconic site of note is the captivating spectacle of Kochi Castle standing in a sea of cherry blossoms. A brief stroll from the castle leads to the Horikawa Canal, where a kilometre-long stretch of cherry trees adorns the scenic riverbanks.

But to truly immerse yourself in the floral splendour, be sure and visit the Makino Botanical Garden, a vast six-hectare haven dedicated to the renowned botanist Dr. Tomitaro Makino. With over 40 cherry tree varieties, the garden offers a sensory celebration of spring. 

Rejuvenate your senses at The Domain, a centrally located abode with tranquil street views, ensuring a blissful stay amid Kochi's blossoming beauty.

Every spring, the ruins of Fukuoka Castle and the surrounding Maizuru Park become a magical place to see sakura. Festivities tend to run from late March to early April, when the cherry blossom trees are illuminated in a variety of colours at night.

Visitors are able to soak up the atmosphere while wandering the ruins of walls, turrets and gates in this ancient – yet dynamic – city. Stay a couple of streets away from Tocho-ji Temple at the highly-rated WeBase Hakata Hostel.

Nagoya blooms into a captivating spring canvas as cherry blossoms grace its urban and natural landscapes. The 1,000 cherry trees surrounding Nagoya Castle offer a mesmerising sight throughout its historic grounds. Meanwhile, the expansive greenery of Meijo Park provides a relaxing setting for cherry blossom picnics with scenic castle views.

Tsuruma Park is also worth a visit to see how it transforms into a vibrant hub for Hanami celebrations with 750 cherry trees and magical nighttime illuminations. The Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens also boast over a thousand cherry trees for a stunning spring spectacle. 

Book a few nights at Ixyz杜, a cosy sustainably built home close to Nagoya Station to be within reach of everything.

Blooming in the last week of March, the cherry blossoms in Hiroshima are not to be missed. The Peace Memorial Park becomes a vibrant hub for festive hanami parties, attracting locals and visitors alike.

Hiroshima Castle's grounds boast enchanting cherry trees and provide a serene contrast to the nearby Peace Park. If a quieter escape and deeper contemplation are more your thing, then consider a trip to nearby Miyajima Island, where you can unwind amid the canopy of pink on many of the island’s walking trails. 

Book a few nights at ORIGAMINN 303, a homely apartment just a few minutes away from the Atomic Bomb Dome.

The splendour of cherry blossoms in Kagoshima unfolds against the backdrop of the captivating stratovolcano, Mount Sakurajima. Kagoshima offers a myriad of viewing spots, each with its unique charm. Kannon-ga-ike Citizen's Forest, renowned for its Somei Yoshino cherry trees along Kannon-ga-ike Pond, creates a breathtaking spectacle, especially when illuminated at night.

Maruoka Park, sprawling across 27 hectares, boasts around 2,000 cherry trees and draws visitors from afar each year. With a panoramic view of Mount Kirishima, it's a must-visit destination during the blooming season from late March to late April. 

Book a stay at the cosy Gracias apartment and enjoy the unforgettable volcano view from the balcony.

The cherry blossoms of Kyoto – a city of temples, traditional gardens and resplendent imperial palaces – tend to bloom from the last week of March until the middle of April.

Visit the huge, 80-year-old sakura tree weeping over the pond in Maruyama Park, a popular spot for hanami, the Japanese tradition of welcoming spring with food, drink and music.

Or walk The Philosopher’s Walk, a canal lined with cherry blossoms that cast dappled sunshine through their dazzling, light pink canopy. Stay at Gion Oyado Kikutani, a charming ryokan just a few minutes walk from Maruyama Park.

Japan’s enormous, technologically advanced capital may seem an unlikely place to revel in nature. But its many Japanese gardens and the surreal sight of blossom petals floating through this fast-paced city make it one of Japan’s sakura hot spots.

For a unique experience, check out the Nihonbashi Sakura Festival, where you’ll find themed light installations, art exhibitions and even sakura-flavoured treats.

Check in to the Westin Tokyo to be within walking distance of one of Tokyo’s top cherry blossom viewing spots, the Meguro River.

Let Wakayama's cherry blossoms narrate the story of a region where history and nature intertwine. Begin your journey at the iconic Wakaura Tenmangu Shrine, where blossoms breathe life into the tranquil surroundings.

Head to the southwestern Kii Peninsula, stop off at Wakayama Castle and enjoy the floral spectacle that usually begins in the last week of March. Venture further to Heisogen Park in Shirahama Town, where 2,000 cherry trees create panoramic views and the perfect setting for a leisurely picnic amidst blooming petals. 

Book a stay at the ultra-modern Bstudio right in the heart of Wakayama for a convenient base.

A city celebrated for its humming party scene, restaurants and street food, Osaka is a fantastic place to be when the celebratory cherry blossoms arrive. Riverside promenades and gardens are great spots for enjoying the view, with thousands of cherry blossoms planted by the water.

The Osaka Mint Bureau (the Japan Mint headquarters) opens its grounds on the banks of the Yodo River to the public for one week during cherry blossom season. For a personalised experience, book a scenic guided tour rounded off with a picnic of local specialities such as okonomiyaki (a delectable savoury pancake). 

Stay just an eight-minute walk upriver from the Mint Bureau at the Imperial Hotel Osaka.

A castle town treasured for its well-preserved samurai and geisha districts, Kanazawa is made even more otherworldly with sakura petals dancing in the wind. You’ll also find one of Japan’s Three Great Gardens here, Kenroku-en Garden.

With tea houses, groves of twisted ancient trees, ponds with rare species of fish and flowers precisely planted for a serene effect, this is a clear demonstration of the artistry in Japanese gardens. 

Stay at Kaname Inn Tatemachi, just a few minutes’ walk from Kenroku-en Garden, with stylish, modern Japanese decor.

Embark on a captivating journey through Nagano, where cherry blossoms take over the landscape each spring with their ephemeral beauty. Begin at Garyu Park, a lively hub where sakura intertwines with a charming riverside market, creating a vibrant atmosphere.

As you explore, take the time to visit Takato Castle Park, home to some of Japan's most beautiful cherry trees. Finish your adventure at Garyu Koen in Suzaka, where you can enjoy splendid cherry blossoms reflected in the lake. 

Base yourself at the cosy Compass studio in central Nagano and explore the city’s natural wonders and cultural richness from there.

Northeast of Tokyo in Japan’s Tohoku Region, you’ll find the city of Sendai and some spectacular sakura. Within the city, there are the hanami-friendly, wide lawns of Mikamine Park, the cherry blossom festival and the nighttime-illuminated trees of Nishi Park.

Or Tsutsujigaoka Park, which has a variety of Somei Yoshino and weeping cherry trees planted along its paved lanes. To explore further afield, head to Saigyo Modoshi no Matsu Park (a half-hour drive from Sendai) where you can gaze at cherry blossom trees cloaking the mountainside and a sweeping view of Matsushima Bay.

There’s also the Shiogama Shrine or Shiroishi Riverside, both about 30 minutes by train from Sendai and offering breathtaking sakura scenes. Check in to the highly rated Sotetsu Fresa Inn Sendai.

Right at the northern tip of Honshu, Japan’s main island, the prefecture of Aomori lays claim to some of the country’s best cherry blossoms. It’s a region of mystic lakes and mountains thick with Hiba cypress, Japanese fir and ginkgo tree forests.

But it’s the city of Hirosaki – on the grounds of its eponymous, 17th-century castle – that hosts some of the most popular hanami celebrations. The Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival features over 2,500 trees, rowing boats to rent, cherry blossom tunnels to stroll through and sakura illuminated by night.

The best view of the lit-up trees is by Shunyo Bridge on the west side of the park. Stay at Kobori Ryokan, a ten-minute walk from the castle.

Sapporo is the capital of Hokkaido, a sparsely populated island north of Honshu that’s renowned for its wild and spectacular scenery. And when its cherry blossom comes into bloom, this natural beauty is enhanced tenfold.

There are lots of places outside of the city to witness the spectacle but Sapporo’s Maruyama Park and adjacent Hokkaido Shrine form one of the most popular hanami party hotspots. Here, 1,400 cherry blossoms and 250 plum blossoms (ume) bloom simultaneously, with a beautiful avenue of trees leading up to the shrine and plenty of space in the park for laying picnic rugs beneath the flowers.

Purchase a souvenir bottle of Jingū no ume (a Japanese plum wine) from the shrine. Or wash down your picnic treats with a cup of Jingu no sakura (an herbal tea made with pickled cherry blossoms, seaweed and black beans). Stay at the stylish Ten to Ten, 40 minutes on the subway from the shrine.