Cherry blossom season in Japan: when and where to see sakura

When is cherry blossom season?

Sakura season runs from the latter half of March to as late as early May. It starts in Kyushu in the southwest and moves north, with daily updates tracking the cherry blossom front (JNTO (opens in a new tab)). The tree most people mean by "sakura" is the Somei-Yoshino, with its clouds of pale pink flowers; weeping cherries (shidare-zakura) along rivers and in parks are another highlight (JNTO (opens in a new tab)).

These are the Japan Meteorological Agency's average dates, 1991–2020, for when the blossoms open (JMA (opens in a new tab)) and reach full bloom (JMA (opens in a new tab)). Okinawa is the exception: its deep pink hikanzakura flower in January.

How much the dates move

Averages are a starting point, not a promise. In Tokyo, the blossoms opened on 14 March in 2021 but not until 29 March in 2024, a gap of over two weeks; in 2026 they opened on 19 March (JMA (opens in a new tab)) and reached full bloom on 28 March (JMA (opens in a new tab)). Forecasts are published from late winter and change with the weather (JNTO (opens in a new tab)).

Where to see them

Almost every park, castle and riverbank in Japan has cherry trees, so you do not need a famous spot to have a great day. JNTO's picks include the hillside trail of Mt Yoshino in Nara, boating on the pond at Inokashira Park in Tokyo, Himeji Castle framed in pink, late blossoms at Ashino Park in Aomori, and Matsumae Park in Hokkaido (JNTO (opens in a new tab)). Our castles and gardens and parks collections are full of good spots.

• Tokyo: riverside walks such as the Meguro River, big parks for picnics, and the gardens; check our Tokyo weather for the week.
• Kyoto: temple gardens, the Kamo River and the canal paths; go early in the morning before the crowds.
• Osaka: the castle park, a short train ride from the city centre.
• Tohoku: castle towns and old samurai streets in Tohoku bloom in mid to late April, after the south has finished.
• Hokkaido: the last blossoms of the year, in late April and early May; see our Sapporo weather.

Chasing the blossom front

Because the blossoms move north over about six weeks, you can follow them. Land in the south or in Tokyo in late March, then head north by shinkansen as the season moves: Sendai and Nagano in mid-April, Aomori in late April, Hakodate and Sapporo at the start of May. A JR Pass can pay off on a route like this. Keep in mind that the northern peak overlaps with Golden Week (late April to early May), one of Japan's busiest travel weeks (JNTO (opens in a new tab)).

Hanami: the picnic under the trees

Hanami means "flower viewing", and in practice it is a picnic with friends, family or colleagues under the trees, by day or under lanterns at night. Bring a sheet, food from a convenience store or department store food hall, and a warm layer, as evenings in late March are chilly. Take all your trash with you and sort it, as Japan's bins are labelled by type (JNTO (opens in a new tab)). For other everyday rules, see our etiquette guide.

More spring flowers

Plum blossoms (ume) come first, in early spring, and hydrangeas follow in the rainy season (JNTO (opens in a new tab)). For the full picture month by month, see our March, April and May pages, and January for Okinawa's early blossoms.