Cherry blossom season is one of the most iconic times of year in Japan. It’s a very brief season, and it actually occurs at slightly different times through out the country. But if you can catch a glimse of these gorgeous trees (called sakura) in bloom, it’s well worth the hunt. I was lucky enough to see the sakura in 2017 on my trips to Tokyo & Kyoto, but it can be hard to know when to visit or how to find the best locations. Below are some tips on how to see the cherry blossoms in Japan.
Mercedes
When is the best time to visit?
The cherry trees bloom from about mid-March to mid-April, but each tree is only in bloom for a week or two. Each city is slightly different when it comes to timing, so I recommend checking out the maps here for predictions from the Japanese Weather Association. 2021 actually had a much earlier season than in recent years in all regions of Japan, so it’s worth checking the predictions as close to your trip as possible.
How long should I stay?
We stayed around 10 days, which was a good amount of time to ensure we saw some of the cherry blossoms in different cities. However, Japan is a truly amazing and diverse country, so if you can stay longer I highly recommend a full 2 to 3 weeks. We spent almost a week in total in Tokyo (look for my Tokyo travel guide later this year!) and we still could have stayed longer.
Where to visit
And now for the most important question – where to visit! We visited Tokyo, Hakone, and Kyoto, but when it comes to cherry blossoms I highly recommend Kyoto. It has a ton of great spots, both in formal parks/shrines as well as in natural settings. It’s also easy to get around – we actually visited all three of these locations in the same day! These were my three favorite spots for cherry blossoms in Kyoto.
Maruyama Park (KYOTO)
Maruyama is a public park and Kyoto’s most popular spot for cherry blossom viewing parties (called hanami), so it can get very crowded. But it’s for good reason! The centerpiece of the park is a tall shidarezakura (weeping cherry tree), that is stunning to see. I recommend going in the morning when the park opens if you want a quieter time with better photo opportunities. But if you can, I also recommend seeing the park during the height of hanami in the afternoon or evening. The vibe of the crowds is so positive, and there’s nothing like a cold Japanese beer & takoyaki under a sakura.
KodAI-ji Temple (KYOTO)
This is a beautiful spot to see views of both cherry blossoms and other traditional Japanese elements. Kodai-ji is a Zen Buddhist temple, so there is a towering statue of Buddha and a beautiful zen garden. This was one of the most memorable spots that my husband & I visited during our trip.
ARASHIYAMA (KYOTO)
Arashiyama was my favorite spot in Kyoto for cherry blossoms. It’s a big section of the city, with beautiful parks and rivers. There are also traditional fishing boats that travel down the rivers, which is really peaceful to watch.
By the way – it should be obvious, but be sure to respect these trees. Don’t try to break off branches to take home as souvenirs. There are actually a few trees that are hundreds (or even said to be thousands) of years old! If you’re looking for more tips for different cities, check out this guide.
What to pack
Last but not least – what to pack. This transitional time of year can be tricky to pack for, since some days will be warmer than others. Temperatures can vary from 40°F one day to 60°F the next, so bringing lots of layers is key. Tokyo is a very fashionable city where you can dress a little edgier (think bold patterns and over the knee boots), but Kyoto is much more traditional (midi dresses and neutral tones). Some of my favorite items for cherry blossom season are below, and you can find more spring outfit ideas here. If you’re looking for more travel tips, check out my full list of travel essentials.
- Light jacket or coat
- Floral patterned dresses
- Jeans + leggings (I like the compressive Girlfriend leggings)
- Sweaters + sweater dresses
- Light-colored satin midi skirt
- Comfortable sneakers
- Crossbody bag
- Umbrella
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