Japan's Best Places for Cherry Blossoms

When much of North America remains buried under ice and snow, the first Japanese cherry blossoms are already unveiling their frothy pink petals on the island of Okinawa. Here, cherry blossom season begins as early as late January, when 20,000 Ryukyu-higan-zakura trees bloom around the remains of Nago Castle, in the centre of the island.

For the rest of the country, blooms arrive with spring, typically peaking between early March and late April, depending on location, elevation, and cherry tree variety.

For Japanese guides, this is the busiest time of year. Over the next two months, tour bookings surge as travellers from around the world arrive to experience Hanami—Japan’s cherished cherry blossom tradition. From strolling through parks and mountain paths softened by pink petals, to walking beneath arching boughs that form flower-filled tunnels, to lingering over sake beneath trees in full bloom, Hanami is both a seasonal celebration and a shared moment of perspective.

Wondering where to go? Here are some favourite cherry blossom viewing spots that locals across Japan return to year after year.

Our Favourite Places for Cherry Blossoms in Japan

Ueno Park, Tokyo

From late March to late April, residents and visitors linger beneath the canopies of more than 1,000 cherry trees in this central Tokyo park. In the evenings, the blossoms are illuminated, creating a distinctly festive atmosphere.

See all Tokyo tours to book a private guided tour of the city during cherry blossom season.

Nagoya Castle, Aichi

Considered one of Japan’s great castles, Nagoya Castle is especially striking in late March and early April, when multiple varieties of cherry trees bloom across the grounds and along the castle moats.

You can search for and book Nagoya tours here to explore with a local guide.

Daigo-ji Temple, Kyoto

In the spring of 1598, 700 weeping cherry trees were planted around the landscaped gardens of Daigo-ji in southeast Kyoto. Since then, Hanami celebrations have been held here every year, continuing a tradition more than four centuries old.

You can explore the magic of Kyoto in springtime on a Kyoto tour.

Mt Yoshino, Nara

Many consider Mt Yoshino the finest cherry blossom viewing location in Japan. Cherry seedlings have been planted here for centuries, resulting in over 30,000 trees that blanket the mountainside from base to summit. Blooms typically unfold from early to late April, depending on elevation.

Have a look through the many Nara tours for fun ways to explore the area.

Hakodate City, Hokkaido

If you arrive after peak season elsewhere, Hokkaido offers a welcome extension. At Goryokaku Fort Park in Hakodate City, cherry and plum trees bloom from late April into early May, framed by the fort’s distinctive star-shaped design.

Local guides will be ready to show you around on a Hakodate tour.

More Cherry Blossom Spots Locals Love

Meguro River, Tokyo

For a more intimate city experience, cherry trees line both banks of the Meguro River, their branches arching over the water for nearly four kilometres. Evenings are particularly atmospheric when lanterns reflect off the canal.

Hirosaki Castle Park, Aomori

Often cited among Japan’s most celebrated sakura destinations, Hirosaki Castle Park is home to more than 2,600 cherry trees, with petals drifting across the surrounding moats like soft snowfall. Bloom season typically runs from late April to early May.

Philosopher’s Path, Kyoto

This stone walkway follows a quiet canal in eastern Kyoto, lined with hundreds of cherry trees that bloom in early April. It’s a reflective, unhurried alternative to the city’s larger parks—best enjoyed in the early morning.

We’ve shared some of Japan’s most beloved cherry blossom viewing spots, but a local guide can always take you further, toward quieter neighbourhoods, lesser-known parks, and moments that unfold beyond the main crowds.

Spring is Japan’s most sought-after travel season, and as sakura fever takes hold, demand for guides reaches its annual peak. If you’re planning a spring journey, don’t wait too long to book your guide! The blossoms, after all, never linger for long.