Where to see cherry blossoms in Japan
To welcome the season of spring, the Japanese traditionally used to hold Hanami parties – flower viewing – in appreciation of the plum blossoms. Now, millions of tourists join in the celebrations that have come to be associated with the sakura season. All over the country, there are hundreds of places to see cherry blossoms in Japan.
We’ve got the deets on all the hot spots and some lesser-known ones if you’re looking to avoid the swarm of tourists. Pack a mat in your suitcase ‘cause you don’t want to miss the experience of a picnic surrounded by the pink flowers in their full bloom.
Table of Contents
- Where to see cherry blossoms in Japan
- What month are cherry blossoms in Japan?
- – Around Osaka, Nara & Kyoto –
- 1. Osaka Castle Park
- 2. Hirakata Park
- 3. Nara Park
- 4. Mount Yoshino
- 5. Maruyama Park
- 6. Philosopher’s Path
- 7. Himeji Castle
- – Around Tokyo –
- 8. Ueno Park
- 9. Chidorigafuchi Moat
- 10. Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
- 11. Yomiuri Land
- – Other parts of Japan –
- 12. Kenrokuen Garden, Kanazawa
- 13. Goryokaku Tower, Hokkaido
- 14. Kintaikyo Bridge, Hiroshima
- 15. Uminonakamichi Seaside Park, Fukuoka
- 16. Lake Ashi, Hakone
- 17. Kawazu River, Kawazu
What month are cherry blossoms in Japan?
Sakura season in Japan starts in March and ends in May, so you’ve got about a 6-week window to see the flowers. However, they are only in full bloom about 10 days of the year which largely falls between late March and early April.
Down south in Fukuoka, the cherry blossoms start blooming a little earlier around the third week of March. As you move up north they start flowering a little later such as in Sapporo where the peak is the first week of May.
Do note that the dates mentioned for 2024 for each city below are estimated forecasts and actual dates will firm up as we get closer to the season.
– Around Osaka, Nara & Kyoto –
1. Osaka Castle Park
Photo ops with the castle as the backdrop
Image credit: Takashi Mori via Facebook
Anyone who has visited Osaka, has probably visited Osaka Castle Park. It is a major attraction after all. But let me tell you that your photos would turn out very different if you visit when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom.
The 100-hectare park that surrounds the main castle has over 3,000 cherry trees that show off their flowers during spring. For the best viewing point, head to the south side of the castle where you can capture the building and trees in the same frame. Another tip – stay till evening when the castle and about 300 trees will all light up together, offering a spectacular view.
Cross the Temmabashi Bridge to get to the other side of the river.
Image credit: m-louis via Wikimedia
Continue walking along the Okawa River and after about 40 minutes, you’ll reach Kema Sakuranomiya Park. This is another cherry blossom viewing spot where locals go for a walk, jog or ride bicycles. If you’ve got the time to spare, it’s worth adding to your itinerary after the castle.
Best time to visit in 2024: Last week of March
Book tickets to Osaka Castle.
Osaka Castle Park
Admission: Free
Address: 1-1 Osakajo, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 540-0002, Japan
Opening hours: 24 hours, Daily
Contact: Osaka Castle Park website
Kema Sakuranomiya Park
Admission: Free
Address: Nakanocho, Miyakojima Ward, Osaka, 534-0027, Japan
Opening hours: 24 hours, Daily
Contact: +81 6-6912-0650
2. Hirakata Park
Lesser-known suburban amusement park
Image adapted from: Discover Osaka via Facebook, @hirakatapark via Instagram
After you’ve ticked off Harry Potter World and Super Nintendo World at USS Japan, the next theme park for more rides and fun is Hirakata Park. Trust us, when we say that getting a top-down view of cherry blossoms from atop a Ferris wheel hits different. They make for really pretty photos too.
At Hirakata Park, you’ll get to enjoy rides such as roller coasters and swinging chairs while simultaneously checking out the blooms around the park. For those travelling with the young ones, there are plenty of kid-friendly rides too including bumper cars and a choo-choo train.
Best time to visit in 2024: Last week of March
3. Nara Park
Encounter free-roaming deers
Image credit: @narapark0214 via Instagram
Nara Park is easily one of the best spots for seeing cherry blossoms in Japan thanks to the unique experience offered by its friendly residents. In case you haven’t heard, over a thousand deers roam around freely in the park and many of them can be found relaxing under the trees.
The park is just a 40-minute train ride from Osaka and admission is free, so it’s not to be missed. Those who would like to feed the deer can buy a pack of crackers (¥200, ~S$1.80) but be mindful of keeping a safe distance from the creatures.
One of Nara Park’s other highlights is the area around Sagi-ike Pond and the Ukimido gazebo. The cherry blossoms fall into the pond, turning it pink – the perfect spot for a romantic picnic, perhaps? The pond even lights up at night.
Best time to visit in 2024: Last week of March to mid-April
Book a day tour of Nara Park.
Admission: Free
Address: 469 Zoshicho, Nara, Japan
Opening hours: 24 hours, Daily
Contact: Nara Park website
4. Mount Yoshino
Bird’s eye view of the sakura from the top
Image credit: @kandarprj via Instagram
The photo says it all – Mount Yoshino gets almost completely taken over by pink blossoms during spring. We’re talking roughly 30,000 trees. And the vantage point is an easy 60-minute hike up the mountain. However, if you’re not keen to walk up, just hop onto a shuttle bus from Yoshino Station that will bring you to Naka Senbon Park.
At each elevation of the mountain, there are different things to see. The base consists of Shimo Senbon town lined with restaurants and shops. Slightly further up you’ll come across Kinpusenji Temple and Yoshimizu Shrine, the latter of which is another good viewing point. But Hanayagura View Point is where you want to gun for, for panoramic views of the entire mountainside.
Best time to visit in 2024: Early to mid-April
Book a Mount Yoshino cherry blossom day tour.
5. Maruyama Park
Nearly 100-year-old giant weeping tree
Image credit: @kurusu_0715 via Instagram
Maruyama Park is the spot in Kyoto for capturing the sakura season in your memories … and camera. What makes it famous is the big weeping tree that stands in the middle of the park and is over 90 years old. Its predecessor, which stood in the same spot, delighted locals for 220 years before dying.
When you need a break, take a seat at one of the open-air blossom-viewing tearooms. Enjoy the view while sipping on hot tea.
Image credit: Peter Thoeny via Flickr
It’s highly recommended to see the tree at night too, when floodlights are shone to illuminate it.
Best time to visit in 2024: End of March to first week of April
Admission: Free
Address: Maruyamacho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto 605-0071, Japan
Opening hours: 24 hours, Daily
Contact: Maruyama Park website
6. Philosopher’s Path
2km long walking trail lined with pink & white trees
Image credit: @ix_____ixxv via Instagram
For a leisurely stroll in Kyoto, head to Philosopher’s Path where hundreds of cherry blossom trees line a 2km-long canal. The formation is such that the trees create a “pink tunnel”, making it a very pretty spot for photos anywhere along the path.
During autumn, the same area will feature different hues of orange. It’s also a very popular spot for experiencing fall in Japan. Along the path, one can also find restaurants, cafes and boutiques as well as shrines and temples.
Best time to visit in 2024: Early to mid-April
Book a day tour from Osaka to Philosopher’s Path.
7. Himeji Castle
Postcard-perfect photos from any angle
Image credit: @castlegarden88 via Instagram
If you’re in Osaka, you might as well make the trip to Himeji Castle that’s only a 1-hour 20-minute train ride away. It also happens to be one of the best cherry blossom viewing spots in Japan. For about 2 weeks during spring, the grounds are painted pink with blooms on over a thousand trees.
These can be seen FOC from the outside but if you’re keen to enter the castle, the admission fee is ¥1,000 (~S$9.30). You can then see the sakura from the top floor of the castle. Another way to view the blossoms is via a boat ride ¥1,000 (~S$9.30) on the moat surrounding the castle. One location, numerous photos ops
Best time to visit in 2024: Last week of March to first week of April
– Around Tokyo –
The capital city of Japan isn’t one to miss when it comes to sakura season. While there are plenty of cherry blossom spots in Tokyo, here are some of the highlights:
8. Ueno Park
Biggest cherry blossom festival in Japan
Image credit: @hirotoshi718 via Instagram
If you’re ready to brave a huge crowd, then the biggest cherry blossom festival in Japan happens at Ueno Park. According to the tourism board, up to 3 million visitors flock to the festival annually, so be prepared to squeeze through lots of people to get your pics.
There are numerous reasons why this spot is so popular for sakura viewing. For one, there are over a thousand sakura trees featuring blossoms of different shades from pink to white.
Look out for the pretty hanging lanterns along the pathways that light up after dark.
Image credit: @lukki6k via Instagram
There’s also a spot in the park where you can see the 5-storey pagoda of the majestic Kaneiji Temple in the background. And the park opens till late every day so you can catch the illuminated trees after sundown.
While walking around the gigantic park, you’ll come across torii gates, shrines, museums, and historical monuments – pretty much the complete Japanese experience. Families with kids, don’t forget to check out the zoo while you’re there.
Best time to visit in 2024: Last week of March to early April
Admission: Free
Address: Uenokoen, Taito City, Tokyo 110-0007, Japan
Opening hours: 5am-11pm, Daily
Contact: Ueno website
9. Chidorigafuchi Moat
View the cherry blossoms from a rowboat
Image credit: Andrea Conway via Facebook
The huge crowds from Ueno Park extend to the nearby Chidorigafuchi Moat too. But the show put up by the cherry blossoms is more than worth it. The queues will be long but renting a rowboat (¥500, ~S$4.57) for 30 minutes is a must as these offer a unique viewing experience.
The walkways alongside the moat feature cherry trees forming a canopy – perfect for a relaxing stroll.
Image credit: @siilix.travel via Instagram
Like most of the gardens on this list, the trees will be illuminated with LED lights so feel free to drop by at night too.
Best time to visit in 2024: Last week of March to early April
Admission: Free
Address: Sanbancho, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 102-0091, Japan
Opening hours: 9am-4pm, Daily
Contact: +81 3-3264-2111
10. Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
About 68 types of cherry blossoms
Image credit: Danny Dungo via Facebook
Is that a photo of Central Park and The Empire State Building? Not exactly, it’s Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden. With lots of grassland, it is a lovely picnic spot. So, pack some Japanese snacks and hunker down to enjoy the sakura season.
While a layman may not be able to tell the difference between different species of cherry blossoms, you should know that the national garden has almost 70 varieties. Look a little closer at each tree to see the slight differences in the flowers.
Best time to visit in 2024: Last week of March to early April
Admission: ¥500/pax (~S$4.57)
Address: 11 Naitomachi, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0014, Japan
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 9am-4pm (Closed on Mondays)
Contact: Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden website
11. Yomiuri Land
View cherry blossom trees while zipping through a roller coaster ride
Speed through the trees at 110km/h on the Bandit.
Image credit: @yomiuriland via Instagram
Spring at Yomiuri Land is a very different picture than other seasons. You’ll be able to see a sea of pink beneath from the highest point of the theme park. That’s either aboard the high-speed roller coaster or in a cable car for something less heart-pumping.
There are numerous ways to enjoy the cherry blossoms including from a Ferris wheel. If the weather is clear, you may even spot the Tokyo Tower and Mount Fuji in the distance. The theme park stays open till late during this time for visitors to see the trees illuminated in the dark.
Best time to visit in 2024: Late March to early April
– Other parts of Japan –
12. Kenrokuen Garden, Kanazawa
Free admission for Hanami
Night illumination of the cherry trees during Hanami.
Image credit: Visit Kanazawa
The easiest way to get to the city of Kanazawa is to take a 1-hour flight from Tokyo. Herein lies Kenrokuen Garden – one of the most photogenic cherry blossom spots in Japan. The flowers here bloom slightly later than in Tokyo and Osaka, so it’s the go-to place for those visiting in April.
During peak cherry blossom season, the usual admission fee is waived too. At the entrance, grab yourself a map to check out the water features, bridges, and hidden nooks in the garden. There are also a couple of teahouses where you can sit and soak in the atmosphere.
Best time to visit in 2024: Early to mid-April
Book a half-day Kanazawa walking tour.
Admission: ¥320/adult (~S$2.92) | ¥100/child (~S$0.91)
Address: 1 Kenrokumachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-0936, Japan
Opening hours: 7am-6pm, Daily
Contact: +81 76-234-3800
13. Goryokaku Tower, Hokkaido
Vantage point 90m above the ground
Image credit: 五稜郭タワー / Goryokaku Tower Facebook
Up north in Hokkaido, Goryokaku Tower is where you want to view the cherry blossoms from. The blooms here also peak later than in Tokyo and Osaka, around the end of April. The tower is surrounded by a star-shaped moat which can be seen from high up on the observation deck.
Image credit: 五稜郭タワー / Goryokaku Tower Facebook
The tower gives you a top-down view of the surrounding cherry blossom trees from a height of 90m. If you stay till dusk, you’ll get to see the illuminated lanterns hung around the park, creating the ideal moment for the ‘Gram.
Best time to visit in 2024: Late April to early May
14. Kintaikyo Bridge, Hiroshima
Iconic snake-like arched bridge
Image credit: @rabbityama via Instagram
Kintaikyo Bridge is one of the most famous bridges in Hiroshima, thanks to its design that features 5 arches. Apart from being an architectural beauty, its functional use is to cross the river to view the cherry blossoms on both sides of the river bank.
This is one of the spots that is usually less crowded than others in the city. Near the wooden bridge, there are a couple of famous ice cream shops which collectively serve over a hundred different flavours.
Best time to visit in 2024: Last week of March
Admission: ¥310/pax (~S$2.83)
Address: Iwakuni, Yamaguchi 741-0062, Japan
Opening hours: 8am-6pm, Daily
Contact: Kintaikyo website
15. Uminonakamichi Seaside Park, Fukuoka
Baby blue flower fields to complement the sea of pink
Image credit: @uminonakamichiseasidepark via Instagram
Uminonakamichi Seaside Park has seasonal floral displays 365 days a year. But when the cherry blossoms are in season, the blue nemophila are too. Head straight to the Hill of Flowers where you can enjoy this wonderful spectacle and take tonnes of photos for the ‘Gram.
The park is also a one-stop destination for families with young kids, consisting of playgrounds, a water park, and a petting zoo. In fact, kids below 15 years old enter for free. To explore the vast grounds, one can also rent a bicycle and explore on 2 wheels. So, set aside about half a day to visit this park.
Best time to visit in 2024: Mid-March to end of March
16. Lake Ashi, Hakone
Cable car ride & views of Mount Fuji
Image credit: Odakyu Hakone Group
Lake Ashi might be better known for its pirate ship cruises but it is also a popular cherry blossom destination. For the best views, get on the Hakone Ropeway where you’ll see trees and the lake below. And on a good day, you may even see Mount Fuji.
A 1-way ticket costs ¥1,050/adult (~S$9.60) and ¥530/child (~S$4.84) while a round-trip costs ¥1,840/adult (~S$16.81) and ¥920/child (~S$8.41). The varieties of cherry trees you’ll be able to catch include Fuji, Oshima, and Yoshino – each a slightly different shade of pink.
Best time to visit in 2024: Last week of March
Book a day tour from Tokyo to Lake Ashi.
17. Kawazu River, Kawazu
Blooms as early as February
Kawazu River is surrounded by mountains and the ocean.
Image credit: @uh19670403 via Instagram
Kawazu River is one of the cherry blossom viewing spots where flowers start to bloom as early as February. This Japanese onsen town is 2.5 hours from Tokyo by train and holds the Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival every year. The dates this year are 1st-29th February 2024.
Because of the warmer climate of this part of Japan, their blooming process is comparatively slower, resulting in a longer window to view them. Plus, the variety of cherry blossoms here is a slightly darker shade of pink.
Image credit: @02akr via Instagram
No festival is complete without food. You’ll find lines of snack stalls selling items in theme with the cherry blossom season as well as those selling knick-knacks to take home as souvenirs. Lastly, don’t miss the night illuminations from 6pm-9pm.
Best time to visit in 2024: Last week of February
Admission: ¥200/pax (~S$1.83)
Address: 48-6 Sasahara, Kawazu, Kamo District, Shizuoka 413-0512, Japan
Opening hours: 24 hours, Daily
Contact: Kawazu-zakura website
Visit Japan during the cherry blossom season
With all the cherry blossom trees in Japan, you’d think that it’s the national flower – but no, it’s the chrysanthemum. Nonetheless, it is undoubtedly the best place to visit to see the blooms in all their glory. So, take note of the peak timings in each city and book your flights to Japan.
More things to see and do in Japan:
- Scenic train rides in Japan
- Places that look like Ghibli movies & anime scenes IRL
- Things to do in & around Okinawa
- Scenic walking trails in & around Tokyo
Cover image adapted from: @uminonakamichiseasidepark, @castlegarden88 & @yomiuriland via Instagram
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