The Best Time to Visit Japan for Cherry Blossom Season

Spring. A season of rebirth, of new beginnings. When the season hits, you might throw out old clothes or plant new trees — any little gesture to make you feel renewed. In Japan, spring transforms the landscape into something far more profound. Across the country, friends and families gather beneath the blooming cherry trees in a tradition known as hanami, or ‘flower viewing’. 

From late March through to early May, the cherry blossom season sweeps northward across the islands, a delicate wave known as the sakura zensen or ‘cherry blossom front’. Locals and visitors alike follow its progress each year, planning their celebrations around the fleeting spectacle. With Travelmarvel, you can witness this magical season with ease, every detail is taken care of, leaving you free to let the magic of Japan in bloom unfold around you.  

The tradition of hanami stretches back more than a thousand years. Its roots lie in the Nara period, when Japan’s imperial court first admired the flowering plum trees that had arrived from China. By the Heian period, the cherry blossom, or the sakura, had captured the nation.  

Hanami, the tradition of viewing cherry blossoms, reflects a Japanese idiom known as ‘mono no aware’, translating to ‘the pathos of things’. It represents an awareness of life’s impermanence. Just as quickly as they arrive, the cherry blossoms begin to fall, and instead of feeling sadness, the Japanese celebrate this. Hanami doesn’t stand as a reminder that beauty fades, but that there is beauty in the fact that things don’t last forever. 

While hanami began centuries ago among Japan’s aristocracy, today it’s for everyone. Millions gather in parks, temples and along riverbanks to share in the joy of the season. In the biggest cities, people arrive hours — even days — early to claim the best picnic spots.  

In Tokyo, cherry trees transform the city’s parks into a sea of soft pink. Shinjuku Gyoen, with more than a thousand trees, offers a long viewing season thanks to its early and late-blooming varieties. Ueno Park is one of Tokyo’s most popular spots for hanami celebrations, and Yoyogi Park has plenty of room for setting up a picnic. 

On the Magical Japan tour, you’ll visit Hamamatsu Flower Park in Hakone, home to rare sakura varieties such as Kanzanji and Hina sakura, which are entirely unique to the park. Later in the season, cherry blossoms can be seen in the Lake Ashi area around early to late April, framing views of Mount Fuji from Onshi Hakone Park. 

Further west, popular spots in Kyoto include the Philosopher’s Path, where hundreds of trees line the canal. In Maruyama Park stands the famous weeping cherry tree of Gion, a giant tree that is lit up each evening. The grounds of Nijō Castle in Kyoto host an annual sakura festival and are a great spot to see a variety of blossoms throughout the season.  

In Nara Park, around 1,700 cherry trees bloom across the lawns, outnumbering the park’s famous deer by a few hundred. It’s a whimsical setting, and the perfect place to enjoy a relaxed picnic under the falling petals. Nearby, Osaka Castle dazzles with more than 4,000 trees as locals gather for lively hanami parties. 

On the Japan Coastal Discovery tour, you’ll visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, built to honour those who lost their lives during the atomic bombing. There are about 300 cherry trees planted around the park and along the river, standing as a symbol of renewal and remembrance. In Kanazawa, the Kenroku-en Garden — one of Japan’s Three Great Gardens — is illuminated each evening during spring, allowing you to admire the sakura into the night. You’ll also discover Kanazawa Castle, first built in the 16th century, offering a glimpse into how samurai lords once celebrated hanami. 

Wherever you choose to partake in hanami, Travelmarvel makes it easy to experience Japan at its most enchanting, combining the beauty of cherry blossom season with the fun and freedom of premium touring.