When & Where to Visit

It’s NO exaggeration once I say that each Japanese and (virtually) each eager traveler on the planet retains a detailed watch on the Japan cherry blossom forecast or sakura (桜) forecast in the beginning of yearly! After all, who wouldn’t need to catch the short-lived but magical spring season whereby each area within the nation is enveloped in shades of soppy pink and white?

RELATED READ:
– Japan Itinerary
– Tokyo Itinerary
– Japan Travel Guides

Now, I say ‘short-lived’ as a result of cherry blossoms keep on their branches for solely about 10 days (it may well final for two weeks if the climate is ideal or lower than 10 if the climate is ghastly).

As if that doesn’t make it elusive sufficient, it’s not at all times a assure that you could get to take pleasure in them at their peak — however then once more, don’t fret: the Japan cherry blossom forecast that’s out there these days is near correct in predicting the cherry blossoms’ first opening and full bloom.

…And as such, that is the place this put up is available in!

I’ve already had a number of journeys to Japan the place I obtained to take pleasure in the great thing about this season and now, it’s my hope that you just get to take pleasure in it too! So with the assistance of the forecast map under, you possibly can begin planning a profitable Japan cherry blossom journey as early as now.

Japan Cherry Blossom Forecast Map

Cherry blossom timber in Japan bloom in an upward path ranging from the island of Okinawa (someday in the course of January) after which ending at Hokkaido (across the finish of April or starting of May).

So if you concentrate on it… offered that you just’ve obtained the time and the cash, you possibly can completely bask in a 3-month lengthy journey spree to take pleasure in the entire pink season!

But after all — not everybody can do such a factor, so in the event you solely have a restricted trip time for Japan, under is an inventory of a few of the finest and hottest spots for viewing the cherry blossom season!

Best Cherry Blossom Spots

To higher streamline this part, I might be itemizing the very best cherry blossom spots by area. (FYI: Japan has 8 huge areas and every of them are sectioned into prefectures that each one complete to 47).

TRIVIA: Hanami or “flower viewing” is an historic custom in Japan whereby locals take the time to benefit from the cherry blossoms or sakura timber. Nowadays, the Japanese sometimes have a good time it by having an out of doors social gathering or picnic underneath the timber throughout daytime or nighttime (referred to as as yozakura or “evening sakura“).

» Kantō Region (関東地方)

Cover and high picture by: Shutterstock

◘◘ Tokyo
(March 22 – First Bloom // March 29 to April 6 – Best Viewing)

• Chidorigafuchi: This is one among Tokyo’s most magical sights given the cherry blossoms that encompass the moat within the former Edo Castle round Kitanomaru Park (as pictured above). There are even boats out there for lease to higher benefit from the timber up shut! At evening, the timber are lit up and a number of other meals stands are discovered close by.
• Sumida Park: This is a good recreation area on condition that the timber are lined up on the perimeters of the river with views of the Tokyo Sky Tree within the distance. Like Chidorigafuchi, there are boats you possibly can lease in addition to surrounding meals stalls. The timber are additionally lit up at evening.
• Shinjuku Gyoen: A spacious park that has over greater than a thousand cherry blossoms in numerous varieties! Everyone is free to place up a picnic right here for doing ‘hanami‘ however take notice that alcohol is prohibited.
• Ueno Park: This is Tokyo’s most crowded spot on the subject of the Japan cherry blossom forecast — this isn’t solely due to the hundreds of timber lining the road but additionally due to how the timber right here usually bloom 1 to three days forward of the others within the metropolis.
• Meguro River: For a whole lot of meters, there are about 800 cherry blossom timber lining this river. It’s not a very good place for doing a picnic nevertheless it’s a very good place for taking images, for positive!
• Yoyogi Park: Located close to the procuring district of Harajuku, this park has over 600 cherry blossom timber in its neighborhood.

TIP: Discover the great thing about Mt. Fuji up shut in addition to its close by pure sights by occurring a day tour from Tokyo! Or in the event you come someday round April 14 to May 27, you possibly can participate within the limited-time Shibazakura Festival close to Mt. Fuji the place you possibly can witness a subject of distinctive pink moss!

◘◘ Kanazawa
(March 31 – First Bloom // April 4 to 12 – Best Viewing)

• Yokohama:
  • Sankeien Garden: This is a Japanese panorama backyard that has a central pond and a number of other historic buildings (thereby giving off an incredible conventional look).
  • Mitsuike Koen (Park): Featuring 3 ponds, this park has been listed as one among Japan’s “100 best cherry blossom spots” so it’s undoubtedly value visiting.
• Kamakura:
  • Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine: You can get some nice pictures of this shrine with the close by cherry timber which can be numbering by a whole lot.

◘◘ Gunma
(March 23 – First Bloom // April 1 to 9 – Best Viewing)

• Akagi Senbonzakura: It has a singular “pink-on-pink” function given the encircling ‘pink moss’ within the fields which can be discovered simply beside the cherry blossom timber.

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» Kansai Region (関西地方)

Photo by: Shutterstock

◘◘ Kyoto
(March 25 – First Bloom // March 31 to April 8 – Best Viewing)

• Tetsugaku No Michi: Dubbed because the “Philosopher’s Path”, this runs beside a canal connecting Ginkakuji to Nanzenji and it’s lined by a whole lot of sakura timber.
• Maruyama Park: Found beside Yasaka Shrine is that this common public park that has a big weeping cherry blossom tree (yaebeni shidare) in its heart. Make positive to catch it at evening when it’s lit up! While you’re there, you possibly can benefit from the close by meals stalls too.
• Heian Shrine: Yet one other place to search out weeping cherry timber — however in additional numbers. Take notice that these weeping timber attain full bloom simply after just a few days that the opposite regular cherry timber do.
• Arashiyama: Located within the western outskirts of Kyoto, this place just isn’t solely identified for its Bamboo Groves and Monkey Park (Iwatayama) but additionally identified for its nice areas for cherry blossom viewing. An ultimate spot would undoubtedly be by the Togetsukyo Bridge on the riverside of Nakanoshima Park.

TIP: Ride the charming Sagano Scenic Railway that goes alongside Arashiyama to Kameoka. It’s an effective way to soak within the cherry blossom views round you given the practice’s clear glass ceiling.

◘◘ Osaka
(March 25 – First Bloom // March 31 to April 8 – Best Viewing)

• Kema Sakuranomiya Park: This park seemingly has limitless rows of sakura timber — moreover, they quantity at practically 5,000! You can take pleasure in such a grand view both from the riverside promenade or from the ships going by the river.
• Osaka Castle: Naturally, a cease right here is warranted as a result of 4,000 sakura timber that encompass it. And if I could share a tip, the Nishinomaru park on the western aspect of the fortress is nice for doing picnics because it offers nice scenic views of the tower.
• Expo 70 Commemorative Park: Yet once more, one other space with hundreds of cherry blossom timber. At evening you possibly can take pleasure in it, much more, once they mild every part up.

TIP: From Osaka, it’s also possible to do a day tour to Kyoto’s Arashiyama and Nara’s deer park to benefit from the sakura season!

◘◘ Nara
(March 26 – First Bloom // April 1 to 9 – Best Viewing)

• Yoshinoyama (Mount Yoshino): Wanna know Japan’s #1 cherry blossom observing spot for hundreds of years? Then, head over right here! You’ll certainly be overwhelmed by the 30,000~ cherry timber that encompass this mountain.
• Nara Park: Outnumbering the free-roaming deers are the 1,700 cherry blossom timber which can be planted right here! Make positive to go southeast of Todaiji’s major corridor if you need an enormous garden encircled by these pink timber.
• Wakakusayama: Found simply behind Nara Park, this hill’s mountain climbing path is lined with cherry blossoms, and in the event you go a bit to the highest, you’ll get a very good image of every part with the dense metropolis as a backdrop.

◘◘ Hyogo
(March 25 – First Bloom // April 1 to 10 – Best Viewing)

• Himeji Castle: Shown within the picture above, that is the well-known world heritage web site fortress that’s distinctive for its white facade! Without a doubt, it is a great spot for having fun with the Japan cherry blossom forecast season (in any case, admission to the outer fortress grounds is even free, so reap the benefits of it if you’re within the space!)

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» Chūbu Region (中部地方)

Photo by: Shutterstock

◘◘ Yamanashi
(March 25 – First Bloom // March 30 to April 5 – Best Viewing)

• Fuji Five Lakes: If you head over to the northern shore of Lake Kawaguchiko, you’ll get a powerful sight of Mount Fuji with the encircling cherry blossoms on the lake. TIP: You should go to within the early mornings for the very best visibility and lightweight.
• Chureito Pagoda: This pagoda attracts a LOT of individuals yearly particularly through the spring season as a result of it actually is an ideal spot for capturing Mt. Fuji and the encircling terrain (as you possibly can see from the picture above!).

TIP: You can simply go to Chureito Pagoda by occurring a day tour from Tokyo! Or in the event you come someday round April to June, you possibly can participate within the limited-time Shibazakura Festival close to Mt. Fuji the place you possibly can witness a subject of distinctive pink moss.

◘◘ Nagano
(April 3 – First Bloom // April 9 to 14 – Best Viewing)

• Matsumoto Castle: What higher method to seize and see one among Japan’s most stunning unique castles than to see it throughout sakura season, proper? With the a whole lot of timber planted there, there’s sufficient to paint the grounds.
• Takato Castle Ruins Park: It is included within the high 3 finest places for seeing sakura blossoms in Japan (together with Hirosaki Castle and Yoshinoyama)! Plus, for the entire month of April, a pageant is held right here the place many stalls are arrange and illuminations are additionally at all times held each evening from sundown to 10:00 PM.

◘◘ Ishikawa
(March 29 – First Bloom // April 5 to 10 – Best Viewing)

• Kenrokuen: This has been referred to as as one among Japan’s “3 most beautiful landscape gardens”, so it comes as no shock that this has turn out to be an incredible cherry blossom viewing spot.

◘◘ Aichi
(March 25 – First Bloom // March 28 to April 1 – Best Viewing)

• Yamazakigawa Riverside: The Shikinomichi (“Path of Four Seasons”) beside this river is considered one among Japan’s “100 best cherry tree blossom spots”— and rightly so! Don’t overlook to cease right here if you’re in Nagoya.
• Nagoya Castle: Surely, you wouldn’t miss this fortress if you’re within the metropolis! During spring, there are a number of weeping cherry blossom timber, uncommon sakura tree varieties, and somei yoshino across the fortress and alongside the moats.

TIP: From Nagoya, you possibly can go on a day journey to the well-known World Heritage Site of Shirakawa-go to take pleasure in its picturesque conventional homes which can be amidst pink cherry timber. (You may also learn my journey information right here).

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» Chūgoku Region (中国地方)

◘◘ Hiroshima
(March 22 – First Bloom // March 28 to April 5 – Best Viewing)

• Miyajima: This is the small island discovered outdoors of Hiroshima that’s well-known for its “floating” torii gate. As you’d count on, this makes for an incredible sight within the spring! To begin off the enjoyable, there are 1,300 sakura alongside the strolling trails resulting in the torii gate.
• Hiroshima Peace Park: There are roughly 300 cherry timber round this park the place the favored Peace Memorial Museum can be discovered (the latter commemorates those that died through the atomic bombing and it additionally serves as a testomony to world peace).

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» Shikoku Region (四国)

Photo by: Shutterstock

◘◘ Ehime
(March 23 – First Bloom // March 31 to April 8 – Best Viewing)

• Matsuyama Castle: (Pictured above). This is one among Japan’s 12 “original castles” and I assure you that the views from the fortress tower throughout spring is past outstanding! So when wanting on the Japan cherry blossom forecast, don’t overlook to place this in your must-see checklist.

◘◘ Kagawa
(March 23 – First Bloom // March 31 to April 8 – Best Viewing)

• Megijima Island: This is the island in Takamatsu that’s related to ‘Ogre Island’ from the favored Momotaro legend and in the event you go to the mountain-top park of the island’s tallest peak, you’ll have unbelievable views of the cherry blossom timber and the ocean.

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» Kyūshū Region (九州)

Photo by: Shutterstock

◘◘ Fukuoka
(March 19 – First Bloom // March 27 to April 4 – Best Viewing)

• Nishi Park: (Pictured above). This is one other a type of locations that has been included in Japan’s “100 best cherry blossom spots”. As a hillside park, you’ll revel within the hundreds of sakura timber as you take pleasure in a picnic in its inexperienced areas. This can be the positioning of the Terumo Shrine which is the household shrine of Fukuoka’s former feudal lords.

◘◘ Kumamoto
(March 21 – First Bloom // March 28 to April 5 – Best Viewing)

• Kumamoto Castle: As one among Japan’s most spectacular castles, it definitely has turn out to be one of many metropolis’s hottest hanami spot. All over the terrain, there’s a putting envelope of pink hues from the cherry timber.

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» Tōhoku Region (東北地方)

Photo by: Shutterstock

◘◘ Fukushima
(April 5 – First Bloom // April 8 to 16 – Best Viewing)

• Hanamiyama Park: (Pictured above). Just outdoors central Fukushima is that this park that’s nestled on the slopes, and the superb factor about this park is that you just’ll be rewarded by a plethora of cherry blossom timber in various hues of pink! Make positive that you just seize a map from the knowledge sales space because it reveals the very best strolling trails and picture-taking spots.
• Shinobuyama Park: If you need to bask your self with extra cherry tree views, head to this public park on the northern a part of town. Apart from doing hanami, it’s also possible to benefit from the commentary decks that provide you with picturesque views over Fukushima.

◘◘ Other prefectures in Tohoku
(Late April to Early May)

Below are stated to be the highest 3 cherry blossom spots within the Tohoku area…

• Hirosaki Castle: Due to the wealthy format of this fortress, company can take pleasure in an abundance of cherry blossom timber, tunnels, moats, and varied picnic areas. One might even lease a ship and watch the illuminations within the night!
• Kakunodate: This fortress city is totally well-known for its weeping cherry timber that adorn town’s well-preserved former samurai district.
• Kitakami: Head over to Tenshochi Park which is lined by over 10,000 cherry timber — good in your Instagram images!

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» Hokkaidō Region (北海道)

Photo by: Shutterstock

◘◘ Hokkaido
(Sapporo: April 29 – First Bloom // May 1 to eight – Best Viewing)

• Goryokaku Fort: (As proven within the picture above). This is a star-shaped navy citadel inbuilt Hakodate in direction of the top of the Edo Period and it has since been became a public park that has over hundreds of sakura timber planted alongside its moats!
• Matsumae Park: It is known for having an extended cherry blossom season (lasting virtually a complete month) given the wide selection of sakura tree varieties in its grounds. Nearby, it’s also possible to benefit from the Matsumae Castle which is the one fortress on Hokkaido.
• Maruyama Park and Hokkaido Shrine: These two locations are simply beside each other they usually entice numerous guests yearly within the spring who take pleasure in holding hanami events in its open area. You wager that it’s an effective way to mingle with the locals!

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Japan Travel Guide

» Best Time to Visit

Any time and any season! May it’s spring, summer season, autumn, or winter, Japan has a ton of locations and experiences that may fill your journey wants.

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» Getting in to Japan

By air. Narita (IATA: NRT) is Japan’s main worldwide airport and it’s positioned practically 70km northeast of Tokyo. In order to get the very best flight offers to this nation from nearly wherever on the globe, I extremely counsel looking by Skyscanner:

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» Visa for Japan

If you’re NOT a citizen of any of Japan’s exempted international locations, you’re then required to avail a visa beforehand. (If you’re from the Philippines, you possibly can learn my information on get a Japan visa in Manila right here.)

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» Where to Stay In Japan

To seek for the very best resort lodging in Japan at the very best costs, I counsel cross-checking resort costs between Agoda and Booking.com. But in the event you’re somewhat fascinated with renting comfy homes or residences, you must search by AirBnB.

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» Japan Currency

Japanese yen (JPY / ¥) whereby ¥100 is the same as about USD $1~ / €0.85~ / Php 45~ (that is as of March 2022). In the occasion that you just need to trade your cash for JPY, I extremely advise that you just do NOT trade your cash on the airport because the charges there will not be aggressive.

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» Cost of Travel in Japan

Lots of people have the misperception that Japan is an costly vacation spot; nonetheless, it’s completely attainable to journey on a price range! Just take notice that lodging charges sometimes go up throughout peak season (March to April in Spring and November in Autumn).

To provide you with an thought, you must count on to journey in Japan with a median day by day price of about USD $45~ per particular person on a price range, or a minimum of $120~ if you wish to expertise extra consolation on actions, excursions, motels, and extra. (Values under present low price range to medium price range ranges).

*FREE subway and bullet practice rides in the event you maintain a Japan Rail Pass

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» How to Get Around Central Japan

There are a number of practice passes out there in Japan that may enable you to save on transportation prices, the very best one being the Japan Rail Pass or JR Pass. And if you’re mapping out your day-to-day route, simply use Google Maps as a result of it should present intimately the quickest connections you are able to do (by strolling, by automotive, by bus, and by practice).

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» Staying Connected in Japan

Japan has one of many quickest web connections on the planet so that you’re assured of nice connection wherever you go. Hotels and most outlets (even comfort shops) provide FREE WiFi connections — however as a way to keep linked on-line always throughout your Japan journey, I like to recommend getting your individual pocket WiFi or a SIM Card.

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» Safety in Japan

Japan is likely one of the most secure international locations on the planet with very low crime charges. I’ve been touring solo to this nation many occasions now and I’ve by no means felt unsafe even within the late hours of the evening — nonetheless, that is NO excuse to get too complacent. ‘Little crime’ doesn’t imply ‘no crime’, so keep vigilant and be “street smart” through the use of your widespread sense always.

Nevertheless, the Japanese persons are one of many kindest and most respectful folks I’ve ever met, so solo vacationers don’t have a lot to fret on this superb nation.

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» Helpful Japanese Phrases

Japan could also be probably the most developed international locations on the planet, however numerous the locals don’t communicate English. However, this could not discourage you from touring to this nation as a result of aside from the truth that there are numerous translation apps that may enable you to perceive and communicate Japanese, numerous the locals are additionally making the hassle to be taught and use the English language.

Anyhow, under are some useful Japanese phrases that may enable you to alongside the way in which! And even in the event you do encounter a Japanese who can communicate English, it doesn’t harm to say a phrase or two of their language.

Hello: Konnichiwa (Kohn-nee-chee-wah)
Thank you (regular): Arigatō. (Ah-REE-gah-tohh)
Thank you (much less formal): Arigatō gozaimas (Ah-REE-gah-tohh goh-zahy-mahs)
Thank you (casual): Dōmo (DOHH-moh)
Yes: Hai (Hai)
No: Iie (E-eh)
Goodbye (long run): Sayōnara (Sah-yohh-nah-rah)
Goodbye (casual): Ja ne (Jahh neh)

Excuse me: Sumimasen (Soo-mee-mah-SEN)
I’m sorry: Gomen nasai (Goh-men-nah-sahy)
Is there somebody right here who speaks English?: Dareka eigo ga hanasemasu ka? (Dah-reh-kah ey-goh gah hah-nah-seh-mahs kah?)
Help!: Tasukete! (Tahs-keh-teh!)
Cheers!: Kanpai! (Kan-pie!)

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