Japan Cherry Blossom Season 2023: Best Places to See Sakura

Japan cherry blossom season remains to this day one of the most awe inspiring things I’ve ever been lucky to witness – and for 4 seasons no less!

Frolicking in the pure beauty that is cherry blossom season in Japan, is a more breathtaking experience than you’d ever imagine.

From the way the sakura petals fall gently from to the ground, swaying in the breeze before they do, to the way they carpet entire mountains in an endless wake of pink.

Japan’s cherry blossom season no short of a magical experience. Based on my experience after years of living in Japan, I’ve compiled this list of the absolute, best places to enjoy Japan in cherry blossom season!

When to Go

When choosing when to visit Japan for cherry blossom season, it gets a bit tricky. This is because the season is highly dependent on the weather conditions of that particular year.

You have a 2 week window of time from the moment the cherry blossom buds first bloom until they fall. Plus, the cherry blossoms in Japan bloom at different times, depending on the region.

That’s why you’ll want to consider WHERE you’d like to go before booking anything.

Luckily, there are general guidelines you can follow to almost guarantee cherry blossoms during your visit!

After several cherry blossoms seasons in Japan, I would say a visit between the last week of March and the first week of April is the safest bet if you are planning to visit the main island (Honshu).

Even if the weather is unusual, visiting during this time frame will ensure that SOMEWHERE in Japan the flowers will be blooming.

Japan Cherry Blossom Season 2023

For this year, the weather forecasts predict blooms exactly within that range I’ve suggested.

According to predictions, most parts of Japan will see cherry blossoms from the end of March through the first week in April. The predictions aren’t exact, but in my experience they are usually fairly accurate.

For exact, region specific cherry blossom schedule read on, or check this website here.

Japan Cherry Blossom Season: Tokyo (Kanto) Region

In 2023, Tokyo and the Kanto Prefecture will see peak cherry blossoms from March 29th – April 6th. This includes the area around Mt. Fuji and Lake Kawaguchiko.

The entire cherry blossom season usually spans over 2 weeks, starting as early as mid March, ending in the first week of April. If your trip is at least 2 weeks (and I don’t suggest a shorter trip, unless you’ve been to Japan before), planning a visit to begin in the third week of March should be safe.

Japan Cherry Blossom Season: Osaka (Kansai) Region

In 2023, Osaka and the Kansai region will see peak cherry blossoms from March 31st – April 8th. This includes tourist hotspots Kyoto and Nara.

The entire cherry blossom season in the Kansai region generally bloom from the last week of March until the first or second week of April.

Sometimes the cherry blossoms even linger until past mid-April. If you are planning a 2 weeks trip to Japan, you can easily combine a trip to both the Kansai and Kanto regions of Japan. If you choose to do this, I’d suggest arriving the last week on March.

Japan Cherry Blossom Season: Hokkaido

Hokkaido always sees the latest cherry blossom season, with peak cherry blossoms from May 1st – 8th this year.

Being the northernmost island of Japan, this area takes longer to warm up in spring. As a result, the cherry blossoms bloom much later.

This works out well for travelers who can’t visit during March and April. You also have the advantage of relatively less tourists in Hokkaido.

Sometimes, this time frame lines up with Japan’s Golden Week, a busy week for domestic tourism. Regardless, Hokkaido is likely to be far less crowded than cherry blossom season on the major cities around Tokyo and Osaka.

Japan Cherry Blossom Season: Kyushu

Kyushu in the south will see the earliest cherry blossom season, with an estimated peak from March 28th – April 5th this year.

As the southernmost island in Japan, the cherry blossoms here usually bud earlier than the rest of the country.

This is ideal for people who can only travel in March, which is generally too early to see cherry blossoms in other parts of Japan.

The cherry blossoms can be viewed from as early as the second week of March, with peak blooms usually in the third week of March.

Choosing Where to See Cherry Blossoms in Japan

If you have certain areas you prefer to visit during your trip to Japan, try to time your visit to coincide with the dates of the peak blooms in each area.

If you only have a short trip, like one week or less, I’d advise planning to stick around either Osaka or Tokyo for convenience. From both these major cities, you can easily access many beautiful places to see cherry blossoms.

Things to Know Before You Go

To prepare for yourself for Japan in cherry blossom season, here are a few key things to keep in mind before booking your trip.

It Will Be Crowded

Cherry blossom season in Japan is among the most crowded times of year throughout the country.

If this is an issue for you, opt to visit more off the beaten path destinations in Kyushu or Hokkaido, or even further up north from Tokyo, where far fewer travelers venture.

Most major cities, and even smaller ones, usually hold their own cherry blossom festivals too. This means crowds, crowds and more crowds. It’s actually lively and fun to experience once you embrace it though!

It Will Be Cold

Although the cherry blossoms in Japan are an iconic signature of spring’s arrival, it’s still a very cold time of year in most of Japan.

Some years are better than others, but some can even be rainy and windy at times. When packing, err on the side of caution and pack for cold weather.

Even if you are lucky to have warm and sunny days, it will still feel cold in the mornings and late afternoon. At night, you’ll always need a jacket.

Book in Advance

Again, due to the popularity of traveling to and around Japan in this season, it’s wise to book things in advance. This rings especially true for any ryokans or luxury hotels, which always have limited vacancy.

If you have any particular accommodation in mind for your visit, it’s better to book as soon as possible.

Likewise, flights to and around Japan for cherry blossom season must be booked further in advance as well.

The international flight ticket prices often spike up about 3 months ahead of time. For domestic flights, try to book a month in advance.

For Shinkansen and train travel, it won’t be necessary to book prior to arriving. But you may want to book a seat the day before if you have time. Worst case scenario, you’ll just have to stand the whole ride like I did!

Get a JR Pass

If visiting Japan, I highly recommend getting a JR Pass so you can freely travel on the bullet trains that connect all major cities.

This will not only save you a TON of money, but it’ll just make your stay easier. The JR pass will allow you unlimited rides on JR trains (for local travel) and on the Shinkansen (for regional travel on the bullet train). You can buy a pass for 7 days, or 14 days, depending on your trip.

If you ride the Shinkansen twice, let’s say from Osaka to Tokyo, you’ll already save money.

Riding the train is the best way to get around Japan since airports are often way out of the cities, and will be a time suck during your trip.

To get a JR Pass, click here.

Allergy Season

Even if you don’t suffer from flower-gy (flower allergy) related issues from your hometown, the cherry blossoms may affect you.

Personally, I am lucky that I don’t have issues with this type of flower, but some of my local friends and tourists do suffer in this season.

To avoid the struggle of trying to read the labels for anti-histamines in Japanese, bring your own.

What to Pack

If you are visiting Japan in cherry blossom season, you’ll want to pack some typical spring clothing, but also prepare for the inevitable cold spells.

For female travelers, on a 1 – 2 week trip, I’d suggest the following:

Japan Cherry Blossom Season Women’s Packing List

• 3 – 4 “warm weather” tops
• 1 – 3 maxi dresses/ or skirts ( for pictures!)
• 1 light jacket / denim jacket (to layer over dresses and tops)
• a pair of jeans
• a bunch of leggings (to be worn under your jeans/ dress if too cold – can be layered)
• 1 “going out” outfit for bars and clubs (nothing too revealing, this is Japan)
• a hat (for sunny days)
• 1 pair of comfortable but fashionable sneakers (I prefer white, to be dressed up or down)
• 1 bikini (for onsen)
• 1 warm jacket/ coat (for evenings or if it gets colder)
• socks and underwear – self explanatory
• A cute backpack for all day adventures (big enough to hold all you need)
• one purse or handbag for evenings (optional)
• A few cute scarves or headbands to to spice up your outfit (optional)

Gear

• Camera
• Portable charger (you’ll be out all day most likely)
• phone chargers

Toiletries

For your toiletries, I’d suggest buying most when arriving in Japan to try out the local products.

I love Japanese shampoo, fake eyelashes, make up and skincare products. Test some out while here and you may just find some new favorites you’ll want to bring home.

If you want to go this route, head to any supermarket chain, Donquijote, or convenience store to find what you need.

For items that aren’t available or don’t work the same in Japan, bring your own:

• Deodorant
• Tampons
• Sunblock
• Toothpaste toothbrush
• Microfiber towel (if you won’t stay in hotels)
• Medication

Japan Cherry Blossom Season 2023: Where to Go

And now for the best part: deciding where to see cherry blossoms in Japan!

Below are amongst the best places for Japan cherry blossom season in terms of scenic beauty, and accessibility.

Where to see Cherry Blossoms in Kansai

Nearest airport: Kansai Airport (KIX)

Where to Stay: Mimaru Osaka Shinsaibashi East

The Kansai region is home to amazing places to view cherry blossoms in Japan. You’d fly into Osaka, and have both Nara and Kyoto within an hour away.

Thanks to the well connected aspect of Japanese infrastructure, you can easily visit all these places in Kansai in one week using your JR Pass.

Osaka Castle – Osaka City

This is one of the most lively places to view and experience cherry blossom season in the Kansai Region of Japan.

In cherry blossom season, the trees around this castle park are absolutely exploding with cherry blossoms. It’s a highly photogenic place to capture the cherry blossoms with the castle view in the background.

Here, you’ll spot many locals having hanami.

Hanami, is the Japanese word for cherry blossom viewing picnic. This is a Japanese tradition that is upheld every spring in celebration of this beloved season.

If you’d like to partake in the tradition, I’d advise stopping by the 7-11 or supermarket for some snacks and drinks, and having your own hanami. Japanese people tend to keep to themselves, but after a few Asahi beers, you may just make some new friends if you’re lucky.

For more things to do while in Osaka, click here!

Nara Park -Nara City

Another popular place to see cherry blossoms is Nara Park. While it will most definitely be full of tourists, the park is large enough that you can still find your own peaceful corners.

Nara Park is home to some gorgeous temples, serene ponds, and very naughty deer.

It’s a highly photogenic and enjoyable place to experience cherry blossoms in Japan, and the park is large enough that you really need a full day to explore it. Definitely check out Todaji Temple, Ukimi-do Hall set in the middle of a pond, and Kasuga Shrine.

My only tip is to NOT have hanami or eat while in the park. Over the years, the deer here have become more aggressive and they will heckle you for food. One even bit my friend in the butt!

Mt. Yoshino – Nara Prefecture

This isn’t a well known place in Japan for cherry blossom season for foreigners, but a local favorite.

Mt. Yoshino is regarded as one of the most beautiful places for cherry blossoms in Japan, as well as fall foliage in autumn.

What makes this place special, is how the entire mountainsides are covered in cherry blossom trees. During peak season, the mountains are carpeted in multiple shades of pink as far as the eye can see. It’s simply breathtaking.

Mt. Yoshino is also home to a number of impressive temples, such as Kinpusenji Temple and Yoshimizu Temple. It’s also got its own little historic village, home to several restaurants and shops.

Stop by one of the traditional restaurants for some noodles or a snack. You’ll be rewarded with window-less, sweeping views of the cherry blossom covered mountains across.

Arashiyama – Kyoto City

This location is hot on the tourist trail any time of year, and during Japan’s cherry blossom season, it can become zoo-like.

But if crowds don’t deter you, a trip here in cherry blossom season is well worth it.

You can wander between the temples, along the river, or hike up the mountain to get amazing views of the cherry blossoms.

My favorite way to experience the cherry blossoms is by renting a paddle boat from the Hozugawa River.

This will allow you to view the cherry blossoms from the calmness of the water. Interestingly, some larger cherry blossom trees even hang over parts of the river, and you can row your boat underneath them to have a better look.

Himeji Castle – Himeji City

This castle won’t be nearly as crowded as Osaka, Kyoto, or Nara, but the views offered here are among my favorite for cherry blossoms in Japan.

Himeji castle in itself is regarded as one of the top 3 most beautiful castles in Japan. Like Osaka Castle, the park surrounding it is full of cherry blossom trees during the season.

You’ll find locals having hanami here, day and night, and some pop up street food stalls during the season.

If you are interested in visiting the castle, you can. Just bear in mind that the line is usually very long during cherry blossom season.

For photography enthusiasts, this is one of the best places to photograph cherry blossoms in Japan.

Koyasan – Mt. Koya

This area isn’t as densely populated by cherry blossom trees as other areas in Kansi, but it’s a serene place to experience cherry blossom season nonetheless.

Due to its higher elevation and colder temperatures, the cherry blossoms here bloom later, so opt to visit during the tail end of your trip.

If you are visiting Japan in late April, chances are you can still view cherry blossoms on Mt. Koya.

Koyasan itself, is a sacred buddhist settlement, that dates back to the earliest days of Buddhism in Japan. Here you have the unique ability to explore ancient buddhist temples, walk along a mile-long sacred buddhist cemetery, and even stay overnight in a monastery with monks.

You’ll experience all this among towering cedar trees and cherry blossoms in spring.

For the Most Adventurous way to See Cherry Blossoms in Kansai: Guide to Hiking Kumano Kodo

Where to see Cherry Blossoms In Kanto

Nearest Airport: Narita Airport (NRT) or Haneda Airport (HND)

Where to Stay: All Day Place Shibuya

Tokyo is where most international travelers choose to base themselves when visiting Japan.

As the largest metropolitan area in the country, you are within reach of many beautiful cherry blossom viewing sites.

This region is easy to travel through, and you have many beautiful places to see cherry blossoms reachable by train. You also have an abundance of tour operators within Tokyo, for booking excursions to the sites further out.

Meguro River – Tokyo City

If you can only plan for a short trip to Japan, don’t worry. In Tokyo, you don’t even need to leave the city to enjoy cherry blossoms in Japan.

They can be found all over Tokyo, but one of the most iconic spots for sakura is along the Meguro River.

This river is home to a staggering 800 cherry blossom trees! They span over a length of 4 kilometers that you can fully enjoy by going for a walk right along the river.

It’s a lively place to experience Japan’s cherry blossoms season. The area around the river holds a huge annual cherry blossom festival which attracts lots of locals.

The area will be full of street food stalls, outdoor restaurants, and even bars, as part of the festival. At night, lanterns light up the cherry blossom trees for continued viewing and festivities.

Kamakura – Kanagawa Prefecture

Kamakura is mostly visited by people wanting to see the giant Buddha statue.

In cherry blossom season, this place gains an additional layer of beauty when the many cherry blossoms in the area perfectly frame the view of the Buddha. Because of how close it it to Tokyo, expect larger crowds in cherry blossom season.

There are several temples in Kamakura that make great cherry blossom viewing locations, the most famous one being Kotokuin, where the Giant Buddha resides.

Other temples such as Tsurugaoka Hachimangu and Engakuji, are also great places to view the cherry blossoms.

Lake Kawaguchiko

At Lake Kawaguchiko, you have two things synonymous with Japan in one: cherry blossoms and Mt. Fuji!

The best place to view cherry blossms in this area is from the shore of Lake Kawaguchicko itself. You can walk or rent a bicycle from the town and go around the lake.

Somehow this area does not seem to get very crowded at all, apart from the occasional tour bus that stops by briefly.

In my opinion, Lake Kawaguchiko is the absolute best place to view cherry blossoms in Japan.

The only downside is that it takes extra effort to reach. You’ll need to change train lines several times from Tokyo, to reach Kawaguchiko Station but it’s not that bad and well worth the effort!

For an amazing hotel experience, check out Oike Hotel, which offers traditional Japanese rooms with onsite hot springs and the BEST views of Mt. Fuji from your room.

Ready to Book? Book Oike Hotel here!

Chureito Pagoda – Fuji City

This is probably the most recognizable image of Japan in cherry blossom season, and it’s likely you’ve seen photos of this place online already.

To get to Cjureito Pagoda, you’ll have to use your JR Pass to get to Fuji the city.

From there, you’ll head to Arakurayama Sengen Park. You’ll have to climb up the hillside, passing by many beautiful temples and cherry blossoms on the way.

Once at the viewpoint, you’ll see a cloud of pink below you from all the cherry blossoms on the hill. That, plus a perfect view of Mt. Fuji beyond the red pagoda makes this one of the most beautiful things you’ll see in Japan.

In recent years, this viewpoint has exploded in popularity so expect large crowds.

Still, it is a major bucket list place in Japan, so you shouldn’t skip it. Plus, it can easily be visited in the same day as Lake Kawaguchiko.

Kawazu – Shizuoka Prefecture

If you arrive in Japan too early for the conventional cherry blossom season, this makes a good alternative.

Kawazu is home to a unique type of cherry tree that start blooming from as early as the beginning of February. These cherry blossoms are just as beautiful as the mainstream once, attracting over 2 million people annually each season!

During the peak of the season (usually at the end of February) there will be cherry blossom festivals held here to celebrate. The best place to view the cherry blossoms is right along the Kawazu River.

While here, be sure to hike up the Kawazu Seven Waterfalls trail, a very easy hike that shows off the best of Kawazu’s nature, including waterfalls and of course, cherry blossoms.

Insider tip: Plan your stay at Amagiso, a traditional style ryokan, that offers outdoor baths under one of Kawazu’s waterfalls. Major bucket list stay!

Where to see Cherry Blossoms in Hokkaido

Nearest Airport: Sapporo New Chitose Airport (CTS)

Where to Stay: The Base Sapporo

Hokkaido is a large island in the north of Japan. It is much more rugged and far less densely populated, so it’s a bit harder to get around to all the cherry blossom viewing points.

Due to the vast nature of Hokkaido, I’d advice renting a car instead of using the train to get around.

The advantage of visiting Hokkaido for cherry blossom season, is that it see far fewer tourists, so you’ll have a much more serene, peaceful experience.

Hokkaido is also ideal for those who can’t travel to Japan until May, since the cherry blossom season here starts much later.

Matsumae Castle – Matsumae City

This is Hokkaido’s one and only castle. It’s home to a staggering 10,000 cherry blossom trees, making it one of the top places to see cherry blossoms in Japan.

This huge park encompasses a number of ancient ruins, highlighting the past of Matsumae Castle. There are a number of walking paths enticing you for a leisurely stroll from which you can enjoy the cherry blossom trees of the area.

While in Matsumae, be sure to stop by the few temples located on the grounds, such as Hongenji Temple and Aunji Temple.

Goryokaku – Hakodate City

Goryokaku is a historic military fort built in a Western style.

Curiously, it resembles a large star as seen from a birds-eye view. Once of the most notable landmarks within the fortress is Goryokaku Tower, from which you’ll have amazing views of the surrounding cherry blossoms.

You’ll find the trees in bloom both within the walls, as well as outside the surrounding moat.

Asahiyama Park – Asahiyama City

This large park is another top cherry blossom spot in Hokkaido. It’s located conveniently in Asahiyama City, the second largest city in Hokkaido.

This park offers another lively hanami spot, and you can enjoy the numerous cherry blossoms on the grounds during the season.

In Hokkaido the species of cherry blossoms are mostly of a different variety than on the mainland. This cherry blossom is more pink, and definitely stand out in photos more than the more common white cherry blossoms.

Asahiyama is home to an abundant number of these cherry blossom trees, and makes a great photography location.

Maruyama Park – Saporro City

You don’t have to leave Sapporo to get amazing cherry blossom views.

Head to Maruyama Park, the best place in Sapporo for hanami and cherry blossom viewing. The sprawling park is home to over 1700 cherry blossom trees, and a number of shrines as well.

During the peak of the season, you’ll find food stalls here in celebration of the cherry blossom viewing.

Noboribetsu Onsen

The street from Noboribetsu Station to Noboribetsu Onsen ranks among the official list of top 100 cherry blossom spots in Japan.

During peak cherry blossom season, this street is lined with a seemingly endless row of cherry blossom trees as far as the eye can see. At some points, the trees can even form a cherry blossom tunnel over the road.

The cherry blossom trees of Noboribetsu go on for almost 8 kilometers, starting from Noboribetsu Station all the way to the hot spring area of town.

This area also happens to be Hokkaido’s most famous hot spring resort, so one can admire cherry blossoms while relaxing in an onsen.

Want more From Hokkaido? Read: A Guide to Summer in Hokkaido

Where to see Cherry Blossoms in Kyushu

Nearest Airport: Fukuoka Airport (FUK)

Where to Stay: Lamp Light Hotel

Kyushu is the most southern major island in Japan.

It generally sees less visitors during cherry blossom season than the major hotspots around Osaka and Tokyo.

It’s a shame, because are loads of amazing places to visit in Kyushu to enjoy this special time of year. Some of the places on this list are easily accessible by train, by using your JR Pass, but may require an additional bus ride.

Kyushu is much more rural than the main island, so it’ll take more planning and time to get from place to place if traveling by train.

But the reward is seeing some of the best places for cherry blossom viewing in Japan, that most tourists have never heard of.

Nishi Park – Fukuoka City

It’s likely you’ll get to Kyushu by arriving in Fukuoka.

From here, you don’t need to leave the city to escape into a world of pink. Nishi Park is on of the top cherry blossom viewing spots in Japan, and certainly among the very top in Kyushu.

This park is a popular hanami spot, and becomes very lively in this season, boasting its own cherry blossom festival. Be sure you visit Terumo Shrine within the park, which looks amazing when framed between the pinkness of the sakura trees.

Canals of Yanagawa City

This historic town is known as the Venice of Japan due to its network of canals running through the village.

It’s one of the most unique places you can visit in Japan, and during cherry blossom season, it takes on a whole new level of beauty.

The best way to enjoy the cherry blossoms in Yanagawa, is by taking a traditional gondola ride.

These can be booked by the hour, with no need for prior arrangements. Just show up whenever, and there should be boats available.

Once on a gondola, a man will steer the boat using a traditional bamboo stick. You’ll float by historic farming village and many cherry blossom trees hanging onto the river.

Isshinji Temple – Oita City

This temple is located in a mountain valley in Oita, a city in the northeastern coastal region of Kyushu.

What makes this a unique place for cherry blossoms in Japan, is the species of cherry blossoms that grow here. The Yaezakura cherry blossom species, could translate to double petal cherry blossom, which gets its name from the multiple colors of its petals.

Here, you’ll find trees of pink, green, purple and even yellow cherry blossoms. This species isn’t found anywhere else in Japan

The temple is also a pretty remarkable sight in itself. It houses the largest Buddha statue in all of Japan, and is known among buddhists as a spiritual power spot.

During peak cherry blossom season, they light up the trees and night, and even have a cherry blossom festival of their own.

Fee: 700 yen

Kumamoto Castle – Kumamoto City

This is another one of the 3 greatest castles of Japan.

It has a large castle park, with over 1,000 cherry blossom trees. To add to the mystique, Kumamoto Castle is one of the only castles in Japan painted black. This adds an interesting contrast in photos from the pink sakura!

The castle itself is highly photogenic, and unlikely to be as crowded as the ones on Honshu. You can visit the interiors for a fee, but the best views are definitely from the outside (which is free!).

Mifuneyama Rakuen – Takao City

Mifuneyama Rakuen is a park located under Mt. Mifune in Takao City.

This park resembles a scene from an ancient Asian painting of a heavenly landscape. This park which is home to an no less than 5,000 cherry blossom trees, completely explodes in a sea of pink flowers around the end of March.

For photographers, this is the holy grail and many photographers flock here every year to shoot this exact location.

The cherry blossoms trees will be lit up during evenings for night time viewing events.

Japan Cherry Blossom Season Tips

How to Hanami

If you want to experience cherry blossom season like a local, the best way is to hanami.

Hanami is just a word for an outdoor gathering during sakura season. These cherry blossom viewing parties are almost always a picnic or barbecue.

Hanami can take place day or night. As a tourist, you are unlikely to travel with your own barbecue set and picnic blanket, but you can still have hanami!

Head to your local supermarket or department store or supermarket. Here, you’ll be able to buy bento boxes, pre-made meals, and Japanese snacks.

Or for the easiest option, just buy some snacks and beer from a local konbini (convenience store) like 7-11 or Family Mart.

Don’t Harm the Plants

As tempting as it may be, try to resist the urge to pick flowers off the trees.

You should allow the natural cycle of nature take place and allow others to enjoy it. There are plenty already on the floor if you really want to pick a flower.

Imagine if every single tourist who came to Japan picked at the flowers. The trees of Kyoto and Tokyo would be bare within days, seriously. Respect nature; don’t mess with the plants.

Rent a Kimono

Another fun way to experience cherry blossom season in Japan, is by renting a kimono for a day. These are available in places like Kyoto and Asakusa in Tokyo.

Don’t worry, locals do NOT view this as cultural appropriation.

Keep in mind, if you choose to rent an authentic kimono outfit, you will be uncomfortable. Even the wooden shoes are impossible to walk in any faster than 0.5 kilometers an hour.

So plan for these days to be easy-going, and have a good photographer amongst your group to take your photos! You’ll want to remember this experience, for sure.

Rent a Bike

Another way to see cherry blossoms is to rent a bike, especially in the cities.

I’d recommend doing this in Kyoto, where a lot of the temples are spread out, and you’ll probably be bored of spending your entire day underground by catching the train everywhere.

Get the benefits of cheap transportation and a fast way to get around the sites in the city by renting a bike for the day.

Eat Cherry Blossom Snacks

One of the BEST things about cherry blossom season, are the seasonal snacks that pop up all throughout Japan.

From sakura flavored soft serve ice cream, to sakura mochi, and even sakura Kit Kat bars, the list of seasonal snacks that pop up each year is truly endless.

They are often times pretty good too! These will also make the best souvenirs to bring back to your friends and family.

Photography Tips

Wake up Early

The only way to get photos without other people in it, especially at more famous sites, is to go early. And I mean very, very early. Like, if you can see the sunrise you’re already too late!

If you don’t care about the photobombers, but still want a more peaceful experience without hoards of tourists smacking you with selfie sticks, you’ll need to arrive at popular sites before 8 AM.

After 8am, places are generally full of people. This especially applies to places like Arashiyama, Nara Park, temple sites, and most tourist sites in Tokyo.

Cherry Blossom Photography

When shooting cherry blossoms in Japan, you may find that in photos, most cherry blossom trees look white, not pink.

On top of that, it’s hard to see any detail in the flowers. To counter this, try shooting some photos with a focal point in the background, and cherry blossoms in the foreground for framing.

Having the cherry blossoms close to the camera is the only way to showcase them in detail. Otherwise they look like fuzzy white blobs at best.

FAQ

And that wraps up my ultimate guide to cherry blossoms in Japan.

I remember the first time I witnessed this season in Japan and the feelings it evoked in me. It was purely magical, and I can only hope you’ll have the same experience for yourself one day.

if you follow these, tips I am positive that you will! Happy sakura!

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