Not only the Japanese, but also tourists around the world are tracking the forecast of cherry blossoms in the spring each year. Everyone would like to admire the soft pink color, gentle point around the sky.
Normally, cherry blossoms only bloom for about 10 days or at most two weeks if the weather is ideal. However, you need to keep an eye on the information because sudden changes in temperature, precipitation and wind can accelerate, delay, or shorten flower hatching time.
Cherry blossomed in Japan from Okinawa (mid-January) and ended in Hokkaido (around late April or early May). So if you have enough time and money, you can make a trip just to see the cherry blossom.
The most beautiful cherry blossom locations
“Hanami” is the only ancient Japanese tradition, in which locals enjoy watching cherry blossoms. Today, the Japanese still have this habit by organizing outdoor parties or camping under the trees during the day or at night. You can also see this picture in Japanese comic books or movies.
Kanto region
Tokyo (The tree begins to blossom its first flower on March 22, the most beautiful flowers from 29 march to 6 april)
Chidorigafuchi: This is one of the most magical sight of Tokyo with cherry blossoms surrounding the moat located in the former Edo Castle. Visitors can also rent boats to look the flowers from near. At night, these plants are lit up, to make it more beautiful. You can also find food outlets there.
Sumida Park: This is a great recreation space because the trees are lined up along the banks of the river, far away from the Tokyo Skytree.
Like Chidorigafuchi, you can rent boats here along the river or buy food from the stalls. The trees are also lit at night.
Shinjuku Gyoen: A spacious park with over a thousand cherry blossoms of different varieties. Everyone can go camping or party to watch the cherry blossom here, but it is prohibited to drink alcohol.
Ueno Park: This is the Tokyo’s busiest spot for cherry blossoms. Flowers here usually bloom 1 to 3 days before other trees in the city.
Meguro River: Along the length of hundreds of meters, there are about 800 blooming cherry blossom trees. This is not a good place to go for a picnic but it is ideal for taking pictures.
Yoyogi Park: Situated near the shopping district of Harajuku, this park has over 600 beautiful cherry blossom trees.
Kanagawa (The tree begins to bloom the first flowers on March 23, when the most beautiful flowers from 30 March to 7 April)
Yokohama
Sankei-en Garden: This is a Japanese garden with a large pond in the center and some historic buildings.
Mitsuike Park : This park is listed as one of Japan’s “100 Best Cherry Blossoms”.
Kamakura
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Temple: You can take some great photographs at this temple with hundreds of cherry trees nearby.
Kansai area
Kyoto (The tree begins to blossom the first flowers on March 25. The best time to look flowers from 31 March to 8 April)
Tetsugaku-No-Michi: This place is also surrounded by hundreds of beautiful cherry blossoms.
Maruyama Park: Located next to the Yasaka Shrine is a public park with a huge cherry blossom tree in the center. Come back here at night to see the glorious beauty of the trees under the lights.
Arashiyama: Located in the western suburbs of Kyoto, this place is not only well-known for its botanical gardens and monkeys (Iwatayama) but also for the cherries.
One trick is to take the train along Arashiyama to Kameoka. This is a great way to see cherry blossoms hatch on both sides of the road during your trip.
Osaka (The tree begins to blossom the first flowers on March 25. The best time to look more flowers from 31 March to 8 April)
Kema Sakuranomiya Park : This park has nearly 5,000 cherry blossom trees. You can watch the flowers by walking along the river side or sitting on the river boat.
Osaka Castle: There are about 4,000 cherry blossom trees around. Stop by Nishinomaru Park on the western side of the castle – great for picnic.
Nara (The tree begins to blossom the first flowers on March 26. The most beautiful flowers from 1 April to 9 April)
Yoshinoyama (Mount Yoshino): Want to know Japan’s number 1 cherry blossom spot for centuries? Come here. You will surely be overwhelmed by the 30,000 cherry blossoms surrounding the mountain.
Nara Park: There are about 1,700 cherry blossom trees here.
Hyogo (flowers bloom from early April)
Himeji Castle: This is a world-famous heritage castle, and is the perfect place to enjoy the beauty of cherry blossoms. You can go to the castle campus for free.