Nowhere in the world does cherry blossom season like Japan. For a few weeks each year, the country’s parks, paths, and mountains burst into bloom, transforming the landscape into a lacy blanket of soft pink.
Cherry trees are known as sakura in Japan, and have a deep cultural significance. These blossoms symbolise beauty, luck, new beginnings, and the value of life, and the season is marked by festivals, ceremonies, and the appearance of blossom-themed snacks and treats. Sakura season is such a big deal that there are daily bloom reports on the national news, and even a specific word – hanami – to describe viewing the blossoms.
The beauty of Japan’s cherry blossoms is known around the world so, unsurprisingly, spring is the most popular time to visit. If you’ve got your heart set on witnessing this spectacular natural phenomenon, the inflated prices are absolutely worth it – but it’s important to make sure you visit the most impressive sakura sights! So, if you’d like to know which places in Japan see the most beautiful blossoms, we’re here to help.
Here are 10 of the best cherry blossom spots in Japan.
1. Mount Yoshino, Nara
Let’s start with what’s arguably Japan’s most famous cherry blossom destination: Mount Yoshino, in the Nara prefecture’s Kii Mountain Range. The first cherry trees were planted here over 1,300 years ago and, today, there are more than 30,000 trees blanketing these peaks. What makes Yoshino’s sakura season so special is that, due to the varying elevation, the trees bloom at different times, creating the illusion of a floral carpet gradually ascending up the mountain, with shrines and temples scattered in between.
There are various types of cherry trees growing on the mountain slope, too, which means many different colours, and the clusters of pink, gold, and green can make it seem as though you’ve strayed into a Monet painting. During peak season, the narrow streets of Yoshino village become jam-packed with visitors on the hunt for hanami – so if you want to stay here, you’ll have to book accommodation well in advance. Otherwise, you can take a day trip from Nara or Osaka.
2. Chureito Pagoda, Fuji Five Lakes
If Mount Yoshino is Japan’s most famous cherry blossom destination, then Chureito Pagoda is the most iconic. Looking out onto the snow-capped Mount Fuji, this classic five-storey pagoda is a photography hotspot all year round, and variations of this view appear in countless articles about Japan…including some of our own! But, in spring, when the curving eaves and red accents seem to float above clouds of blush-coloured blooms, the sight is even more spectacular.
Tucked into the hills of Fujiyoshida, a city at the base of Mount Fuji, the pagoda is 65 miles from Tokyo, so it’s possible to visit as a day trip. But if you’re coming all that way, you might want to set aside a few days to explore the Fuji Five Lakes region. Not only is the hiking excellent, but the views of Mount Fuji – particularly in the morning when it rises from the mist, framed by a sea of blossoms – are breathtaking.
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3. Hirosaki Park, Aomori
Hirosaki-kōen – Hirosaki Park – is another hanami hotspot. Thanks to its relatively remote location, on the northern tip of the main island, Honshu, it’s quieter than other popular cherry blossom spots – but more than a million visitors still visit each season. Home to around 2,600 cherry blossom trees, the paths in this gorgeous park turn into frothy tunnels of pink and white during spring, and the arching bridges and 400-year-old castle make things even more photogenic.
One of the best ways to appreciate the unique beauty of Hirosaki Park is to rent a boat to take out on the moats. Not only will this allow you to enjoy a sense of peace and solitude – rare in sakura season! – but paddling on water that’s completely covered with fallen pink petals can be an otherworldly experience. The snow-capped Mount Iwaki in the background only adds to the ethereal beauty of the scene. For a different perspective, you might want to visit at night, too, to admire the elaborate illuminations.
4. Himeji Castle, Hyogo
Perched on a hilltop in the Hyōgo Prefecture, a four-hour train-ride from Tokyo, the UNESCO–listed Himeji Castle is widely considered to be Japan’s most impressive castle. Unlike other Japanese castles, it was never marred by earthquakes or wars, and today is one of the country’s 12 original castles. After years of renovations, Himeji Castle only reopened to the public in 2015 but, since then, it’s become a national treasure – and one of the most popular destinations for cherry blossom viewing.
The imposing white walls of this 14th-century castle are the perfect backdrop for the pink blossoms, and there are over 1,000 trees in the grounds that burst into life each spring. Many visitors take boat tours to admire the blooms and the castle itself, which is said to resemble a heron taking flight. The complex is made up of 80 buildings connected by a series of winding paths, so you can easily spend all day here. The views of Mount Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi are just another bonus!
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5. Kyoto
As the imperial capital of Japan and the country’s cultural heart, Kyoto is a must-visit for most tourists – and it’s especially beguiling in spring. This historic city is the epicentre of the sakura season, and there are so many great places to see the blossoms that it’s difficult to narrow them down. One of the best hanami spots, however, is Maruyama Park, where you can find the ‘Weeping Cherry of Gion’. Standing over 10-metres tall, these blossom-fringed branches are beautifully illuminated from dusk.
At Maruyama Park, you’ll also find the Philosopher’s Path, a canalside trail that’s lined with cherry trees, and the lovely Kamo River promenade. There are nearly 700 cherry trees in the park, so it’s a great spot for a picnic – or why not hire a bike so you can explore all the park’s hanami locations? In southeast Kyoto, you’ll find around 700 cherry trees lining the Yamashina canals, while in Arashiyama, east Kyoto, you can take a ride on the Sagano Scenic Railway, which takes you through a sea of cherry trees.
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6. Tokyo
Tokyo, just like Kyoto, is usually on the agenda for most visitors. And, luckily – also like Kyoto – the Japanese capital has many great spots to admire the blossoms. The most picturesque hotspot is probably Shinjuku Gyoen, a verdant park in the heart of the city that’s home to over a thousand cherry trees. These trees are both early and late bloomers, so it’s a popular spot for people who arrive a little too early or late, for the main sakura season.
In the trendy Nakameguro district, over 800 trees burst into bloom along the canal-like Meguro River, and they’re beautifully lit at night. Yoyogi Park is considered one of the most ‘fun’ places to enjoy a spot of hanami. Locals come here not just with picnics, but with barbecues, drinks, and portable karaoke machines, and as the light fades, the party vibes swell. Alternatively, why not head to Chidorigafuchi Green Way, where you can take a boat out along the moat to get a new perspective on the blooms?
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7. Matsumae Castle, Hokkaido
The northern island of Hokkaido is often seen as an unspoiled frontier – a chance to connect with nature and escape from hyperconnected, industrialised Japan. If you visit during spring, you’ll have the chance to experience one of the best sakura festivals in the country: the Matsumae Cherry Blossom Festival. In Matsumae Park, you’ll find Japan’s northernmost castle, Matsumae Castle, and the surrounding land is home to 10,000 cherry blossom trees in a staggering 250 varieties.
All that variety means the tree blossom at different times, so the sakura season lasts a whole month, usually from April well into May. There’s lots going on during this time, from armoured samurai warrior parades to local food and products fairs, as well as various events and celebrations commemorating the birth of Buddha. Wandering around the castle and exploring the grounds and hot springs is a lovely way to spend the day. The park is particularly magical at dusk, when the castle is illuminated.
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8. Kawazu, Shizuoka
If you’re visiting Japan in early spring, heading to Kawazu, on the east coast of the Izu Peninsula, is your best bet if you want to enjoy some hanami. This site experiences some of the earliest bloom dates in the country; the blossoms start to open in early February, and are often in full bloom by the end of the month. The flowers here are larger and a much deeper pink than most blossoms, so visually it’s pretty spectacular – and the trees bloom for a full month, so it stays looking dazzling for a long time.
The Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival kicks off in early February. There are 8,000 cherry trees throughout the town, but most are located around the Kawazu River, where they’re illuminated by lanterns. Here, there’s a 2.5 mile stretch of river flanked by pink and white cherry trees, and walking along this path is the best way to view the blooms – though it can be chilly, so wrap up warm! Kawazu is easily accessible from Tokyo, and there are many guided blossom viewing tours you can go on from the capital.
9. Lake Kawaguchiko, Yamanashi
Located beneath the hulking shadow of Mount Fuji, Lake Kawaguchiko is a tourist hotspot. The hot spring resort town here buzzes throughout the year, but in spring, it really shines. The rippling reflection of Japan’s most famous volcano on the surface of the lake is framed by rosy petals, and it’s incredibly picturesque. The lake’s northern and eastern shores are the best places to get a view of Fuji itself, and the shady walkways are bordered by pale pink blooms.
Sakura season is at its peak here from early- to mid-April and, while it can get very crowded, the views are worth it. At the Fuji Kawaguchiko Cherry Blossom Festival, there are food stalls where you can try local delicacies, craft markets where you can pick up unique souvenirs, and twinkling illuminations that come alive at sunset. There are all kinds of lovely lakeside walks where you can admire the blossoms, but head to the promenade near the Kawaguchiko Music Forest for the best views.
10. Kumamoto Castle, Kumamoto
Japan’s most southerly main island is one of the most underrated – and arguably most beautiful. As the warmest island, it’s home to near-tropical coastlines, active volcanoes, and bubbling hot springs – yet it remains wonderfully serene compared to the other islands. So, if you’re looking for an authentic yet quiet hanami fix, it’s the ideal destination. There are lots of places to view blossoms here, but the grounds of Kumamoto Castle are perhaps the most impressive.
Kumamoto Castle is one of Japan’s best examples of traditional castle architecture, and hundreds of cherry trees lead up to its grand hilltop gates. At its prime, the castle had 49 turrets and 47 gates yet, sadly, parts of these 17th-century buildings were destroyed in a 2016 earthquake. Still, it remains one of the country’s architectural masterpieces, and its imposing grey façade looks even more striking when framed by the snowy pink hues of the blossoms.
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Final thoughts…
Japan is one of the most beautiful and fascinating countries in the world – and its spectacular cherry blossoms are only part of its unique charm.
It’s a land of contrast and contradiction – a place where pioneering modernity and ancient history are equally valued. Home to 6,800 islands, there’s so much to see and do, from sprawling metropolises to serene mountain lakes. And, luckily, cherry blossoms can be found all across the country.
Warm, welcoming, and ever-evolving, Japan is fast becoming one of the most popular travel destinations in the world – and there really is something for everyone.
For more inspiration, why not check out our article, 10 places to visit and things to do in Japan, or visit the travel section of our website?
Are you a fan of cherry blossom viewing – or would you like to visit Japan? Or maybe you’ve already been and would like to share your experiences? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below!
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