Cherry Blossom Season in Japan or Sakura Season in Japan (the Japanese word for Cherry Blossom) is Japan’s most iconic and most popular time of year for tourists to visit Japan but where is the best place to see Cherry Blossom in Japan??
After visiting Japan for 2.5 weeks at the end of March and start of April, I can see why this is such a popular time of year to visit Japan as the Cherry Blossoms in Japan really do bloom all sorts of beautiful pink colours during this season like in no other Country!
I was lucky enough to see Cherry Blossoms throughout the whole of my Japan trip, from my first days in Osaka, all the way to my last days in Tokyo so in this Japan travel blog and Japan travel guide, here is my guide to Cherry Blossom season Japan and where to see the best Cherry Blossom in Japan!
Best Place to See Cherry Blossoms in Japan
Visiting Japan in Cherry Blossom Season isn’t for everyone. It gets very busy, accommodation prices go up and it’s actually quite cold. Make sure you read this post – Pros & Con’s of Visiting Japan During Cherry Blossom Season to make sure you want to visit Japan in Spring!
When is Cherry Blossom Season in Japan?
The Cherry Blossoms in Japan appear at different times throughout Sakura Season in Japan as some area’s of the Country remain colder than others for longer and the best time to see the Cherry Blossoms in Japan is as it starts warming up in each place and the time that you visit will depend on whether it is the best place to see Cherry Blossom in Japan or not as it changes quickly!
You can keep an eye on when the Cherry Blossoms will bloom in Japan on this Cherry Blossom Forecast here which will also help you plan your trip to Japan for Cherry Blossom season Japan 2021 around the best time to visit Japan for Cherry Blossom season. Although remember that these dates are not fixed and mother nature will warm up when she wants to!
During my trip around Japan, I went to most of the most popular places to visit in Japan and so if you are planning your trip to Japan around Cherry Blossom / Sakura Season, make sure you fit these places in your Japan Itinerary to see the best Cherry Blossom.
Remember you need to get a JR Pass BEFORE arriving in Japan, if you don’t have one yet, you can buy one here on the official Japan Rail Site, and if you’re not sure if you need one, read my JR Pass post here on what the JR Pass is all about!
Best Place For Cherry Blossoms in Tokyo
The best places to see cherry blossoms in Tokyo are in the park’s of Tokyo and this will also give you the chance to have a picnic under a sea of pink Cherry Blossoms.
Good Parks to visit in Tokyo in Spring to see the Cherry Blossoms are Yoyogi Park and Shinjuku Park in the popular areas of Harajuku and Shinjuku. You could easily visit both of these in one day.
Another good park to see the Cherry Blossoms in Tokyo is Ueno Imperial Grant Park and Tokyo Gaien National Garden near the Imperial Palace.
Recommended Tokyo City Tours
JAPAN SIM CARD
Stay connected in Japan by ordering a sim card in advance and picking it up at the airport you land in. There a huge range of sim card options in Japan which you can see and buy here!
If you prefer eSIM’s these days, here’s a great option for an eSIM Mobile Data Plan in Japan so you’re connected as soon as you land without the hassle of swapping sims and waiting for connection.
JAPAN RAIL PASS
I’m sure you know, or have heard, that the Japan Rail Pass is the best value for getting around Japan!
There are many providers for the JR Pass but this is the official provider and the one I used.
You need to get your JR Pass ordered BEFORE your trip and sent to your home address, so look into buying one here!
Not sure how the JR Pass works and wondering if it will save you money?
Best Place For Cherry Blossoms in Osaka
Osaka Castle Park blooms really well in Cherry Blossom season. There are lots of tree’s up near the Castle in the Castle Grounds but also in the Park below.
I saw a cornered off section of the park which was filled with tree’s with a view of the Castle behind, I believe there is a charge to visit these.
Best Place For Cherry Blossoms in Kyoto
Kyoto is probably the best place to see Cherry Blossoms in Japan and the most beautiful as the City is already beautiful without them, but with them, it is a sea of Pink!
The Gion District is a popular place to see the Cherry Blossoms in Kyoto and is the true image of what you’ll think Japan will look like in Sakura Season with the wooden merchant buildings, people walking around in Kimono’s and Cherry Blossom hanging over the streets.
I saw a Cherry Blossom tunnel when getting off at Gion Subway station which was a very popular place for Cherry Blossom photoshoots in Gion, Kyoto and to see the full extent of Japan Blossom.
Walking the Philosophers Walk along the Canal is absolutely beautiful and a must-do in Kyoto in Spring to see all of the Cherry Blossoms. The pathways are covered with Cherry Blossom arches and on a beautiful sunny day it is simply stunning.
You can also visit Kyoto on a day trip from Osaka which is what I did. Read about how to do this here.
Best Place For Cherry Blossoms in Hiroshima
If you want somewhere where you can have a picnic in a park under a ceiling of Cherry Blossoms, Hiroshima Peace Park is the place to go.
The Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima is a beautiful park anyway but in Spring the banks of the River are filled with Cherry Blossoms and so are the grassy areas which are perfect for picnics. I really felt that they celebrate Japan Cherry Blossom Festival well in Hiroshima.
As you can see in the photo below people are still wrapped up as Cherry Blossom season isn’t that warm in Japan which in my opinion is a negative of visiting. This post will help you on What to Wear in Japan during Cherry Blossom Season!
Best Place For Cherry Blossoms in Miyajima Island
The best Cherry Blossoms I saw in Japan were on Miyajima Island and it helped I was there on a perfect Spring Day. I took a day trip from Hiroshima to Miyajima Island using my JR Pass and there were so many spots well within walking distance of the Ferry Terminal where the Cherry Blossoms were in bloom, especially around the Five Story Pagoda and the small stream that runs through the town area of Miyajima island so I really recommend visiting Miyajima on a day trip for one the best places to see cherry blossom in Japan.
Best Place For Cherry Blossoms in Himeji
If you want the iconic view of a Japanese Castle and Cherry Blossom, you need to visit Himeji Castle in the Spring for true Sakura in Japan.
There are many Cherry Blossom tree’s in the Castle Grounds which you can get artistic with to get the perfect Cherry Blossom Castle Photo, or you can enjoy the Cherry Blossoms down on the River surrounding the Castle in Spring too.
Note that although it was very pretty, the Castle was horribly busy! This is just something you have to deal with in Japan in Cherry Blossom Season is the huge crowds.
JAPAN ON A BUDGET
Japan isn’t the cheapest country to travel but you can save money in Japan, here are my budget tips for Japan:
JAPAN ITINERARY
Here’s my 2 week Japan itinerary for first time visitors which will help you plan yours and you can adapt it whether you’re in Japan or longer or less time.
Remember you need to get a JR Pass BEFORE arriving in Japan, if you don’t have one yet, you can buy one here on the official Japan Rail Site, and if you’re not sure if you need one, read my JR Pass post here on what the JR Pass is all about!
Best Place For Cherry Blossoms in Nara
Nara Park is a huge park most famous for the deer but when you visit Nara in Spring you’ll also be welcomed by many Cherry Blossom trees in the park giving you the chance to have a picnic under the Cherry Blossoms in Japan and enjoy the full extent of Cherry Blossom Season Japan.
I hope that helps you plan your trip to Japan in the Spring to see the best of Japan Cherry Blossom Season!