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When to go

The task of forecasting the exact arrival of the cherry blossoms is taken very seriously in Japan. Since 1951, teams of meteorologists have been dispatched to monitor the advance of the cherry blossom front – sakura zensen in Japanese – as they burst into bloom.

Today, it is a hi-tech affair, with forecasts and scientists undertaking complicated mathematical equations filling television screens in the build-up to their appearance. Officials traditionally observe the pale pink blooms of the yoshino cherry tree – Japan’s most common type – with the season declared open when at least five or six flowers have opened on a sample tree in any given area. The flowers bloom for about a week before the so-called “sakura snow” effect starts and they float sadly off the trees.

It’s worth bearing in mind that the dates can fluctuate – some years, they are early, following a spell of warm weather, while in other years, chiller temperatures delay their arrival or downpours cut short flowering.

But the first blossoms generally appear in Okinawa in January and slowly move up the archipelago, passing through Japan’s central islands (including Tokyo and Kyoto) in late March and early April, before progressing further north and hitting Hokkaido in early May.

As a result, generally speaking, it’s a safe bet to book a trip to cover the last week of March and the first week of April, for those keen to catch the blooms in Tokyo or Kyoto, plus many other spots.

Where to go

Tokyo

The capital is always a good starting point. Despite the concrete and skyscrapers – or maybe because of the omnipresence of the manmade over nature in the sprawling megalopolis – Tokyoites are evangelical in their enthusiasm of all things sakura. This is reflected in the packed parks and riverside spots – often with the so-called sakura police having to herd crowds and guide queues in the busiest locations.

Luckily for city-dwellers, many parks are carefully choreographed with clusters of cherry trees, precisely for this purpose. Highlights include Ueno Park, one of Japan’s oldest and most famous public spaces (also home to a string of top museums, shrines and ponds), which attracts epic-sized crowds to admire its 1000-plus blooming cherry trees. A more sedate alternative is Shinjuku Gyoen, a surprisingly serene and beautifully maintained park a short walk from the neon blare of Shinjuku, with 1500 cherry trees and expanses of lawn (entry costs Y200/$2.44 for adults, Y50 for children).

Another cult spot is Nakameguro, a creative neighbourhood south of Shibuya, with a cherry-tree-lined canal: perfect for an evening stroll, the trees are lit up with lanterns after dark while the canalside roads bustle with food and drinks stalls. (It’s worth noting it’s insanely busy at peak time: try to visit either early morning or late at night, ideally on a weekday, to avoid large crowds).

Meanwhile, the atmospheric eastern neighbourhood Yanaka – all narrow lanes and old wooden houses with tiny restaurants and young craftsmen setting up shop – is worth a visit for its cherry tree-filled cemetery.

The south

It all starts at the bottom – more precisely, the far-flung southernmost subtropical islands of Okinawa, home to Japan’s first cherry blossoms. The blooms – often bell-shaped and a deeper pink than other regions – arrive in mid-January, with viewing spots including the wild forested Yanbaru area in the north of the main Okinawa island.

The ruins of Nakijin castle are another highlight, with a famed tunnel of cherry trees illuminated with lanterns in the grounds of the Unesco World Heritage site every night during its sakura season.

Next up is Kyushu, Japan’s third biggest island (located above Okinawa and fringed by the Pacific), famed for its warm climate, hot spring onsen baths, volcanoes and delicious cuisine. Kumamoto is a popular spot, with its tiered castle creating an image as pretty as a woodblock print when its 1000-plus cherry trees bloom.

For the perfect overlap of sakura and onsen, check into Hoshino Resort Kai Yufuin, a sleek Kengo Kuma-designed hotel scattered around tiered jewel-green rice fields, with contemporary outdoor baths offering cherry blossom views.

Kyoto

The former ancient capital is perhaps the ultimate venue for cherry blossom appreciation – and it’s also one of the busiest. Those prepared to brave the heaving, still-masked post-pandemic crowds are spoilt for choice. The best flower spots include Maruyama Park, packed with hanami picnickers from day to night, the Kamo River, lined with large cherry trees, the bloom-filled Imperial Palace Park, and the Philosopher’s Path, which runs alongside a cherry tree-lined canal, leading to a string of hidden temples and shrines.

For a more luxurious – and secluded – taste of Kyoto’s cherry blossoms, consider checking into Aman Kyoto, where the painterly pink blooms can be found in the exquisite hidden gardens that form the heart of the escape.

Honshu

One lesser-known beauty spot is Gifu, a mountainous prefecture on the central island of Honshu, which is home to the famed Takayama Spring Festival, when exquisitely ornate floats, handcrafted using centuries-old artisan techniques, are paraded across bridges, down lanes and past clusters of cherry trees throughout the city of Takayama.

Kinosaki Onsen, a hot spring resort in southwestern Hyogo prefecture, is another fine spot to combine bathing and blossoms. Check into a traditional ryokan and soak in onsen baths against a backdrop of picture-perfect cherry blossoms trees that line its streets and riverbanks.

The north

Those keen to avoid the crowds would do well to travel later – and, following the flow of the cherry blossom front, head further north.

Hitome Senbonzakura in Miyagi prefecture offers an eye-catching vista of 1000 cherry trees lining a river against the striking backdrop of snowcapped mountains.

Kakunodate is another cherry blossom gem, famed for its romantically weeping cherry trees, brought to the region from Kyoto hundreds of years ago by local samurai.

And the final hurrah of Japan’s cherry blossom celebrations can be found in Hokkaido, the northernmost island. The main city Sapporo is awash with cherry blossoms (Maruyama Park and Hokkaido-jingu shrine in particular) while the adventurous can squeeze in some skiing with sakura views. Sapporo Teine, the site of the 1972 Winter Olympics, is a short drive from the city and open to skiers until early May.

Niseko is a good spot to visit too; while it’s most famous for its buzzing (and stylish) skiing and snowboarding spots, its off-season beauty is perhaps one of Japan’s best-kept secrets.

Insider tips

A taste of spring

Expect a cornucopia of adventurous sakura-tinged dishes, from sakura rice cakes to sakura petal beer. In addition, a whole raft of spring treats are also on offer in restaurants at this time of year, such as clams and bamboo shoots. Be adventurous!

Hanami time

Embrace the sakura spirit and put together your own DIY hanami picnic. Pick up food – ideally a seasonal bento box from a local supermarket or depachika (the basement food hall of a department store). Next, stop by a conbini for drinks, disposable cups and tarpaulin – and simply find a space beneath a blossoming tree.

Warm up

Springtime can be chillier than expected. Stop by a conbini and pick up another indispensible hanami accessory – self-heating packs known as kairo which can be inserted into pockets or stuck on clothes to warm you when temperatures drop.

On a budget

Japan has long been labelled one of the world’s most expensive destinations but with some careful planning, it’s possible to enjoy a springtime trip of a lifetime on a budget.

Key steps include booking flights as early as possible, buying a rail pass in advance and choosing accommodation carefully.

In Tokyo, a raft of new, more affordable hotels has opened since the Olympics (among them OMO5 Tokyo Otsuka). Outside cities, there are also countless smaller inns known as minshuku, which are often good value and offer an authentic experience.

Eating out at local restaurants is also surprisingly affordable. Many high-quality establishments offer unexpectedly good value multi-course set lunch menus from around 1000 yen ($12).

Tour operators are also increasingly tapping into the budget market. A good option is InsideJapan Tours’ self-guided “7 Night Price Cruncher” package, which taps into this excellent company’s impressive insider know-how and contacts – and costs just $2010 per person (excluding international flights).

What to pack

Masks – yes, these are still all the rage in Japan. Be prepared to see face coverings everywhere, while some establishments – museums, hotels, restaurants – also still insist on them being worn inside.

Comfortable shoes – visiting the cherry blossoms involves some commitment, particularly in nature spots. Be prepared to walk.

Warm clothing – despite the arrival of spring, it’s often still surprisingly cool at this time of year, particularly as the sun sets at a hanami picnic in the park.

Camera – there are few more photogenic trips than a cherry blossom tour of Japan.

Know before you go

It’s not necessary to arrange a visa before entering Japan, if visiting for a holiday of less than three months. While Covid rules change regularly, visitors who are triple vaccinated do not currently need to do a test upon arrival. All visitors are, however, encouraged to register their details and vaccination certificates online ahead of arriving, for a “fast track” entry system – which will considerably cut queuing time after landing.

See vjw-lp.digital.go.jp/en