Chasing sakura: Where to see cherry blossoms in Japan

Witnessing the annual cherry blossom (sakura) bloom, called hanami, is a pilgrimage undertaken by about 63 million people, both locals and foreigners, each year. Entire trips are planned around the photogenic pink flowers as people take photos for the ‘gram or enjoy picnics under the trees.

As the weather warms across Japan, the cherry blossom trees follow suit, first flowering in the south, then spreading northwards. Climate change has made the timing a little unpredictable, but each bloom lasts for one to two weeks. We list them by bloom timing.

Tokyo & Osaka, the first to get sakura in late March

• Ueno Park: One of Tokyo’s oldest public parks, home to multiple museums and the zoo, this is the city’s top hanami (flower-viewing) spot, with over 1,000 trees and the Ueno Cherry Blossom Festival featuring street food and lanterns.
• Chidorigafuchi: Cherry blossom trees line 700m of the Imperial Palace’s moat, which can be viewed either by walking along the path or in rowboats along the moat.

• Meguro River: About 800 trees along the river are illuminated at night.
• Shinjuku Gyoen: Some call this the “mecca” for hanami due to the great variety of cherry blossom trees, which also means you get to see shades of pink and white flowers altogether.
• Osaka Castle Park: The place comes alive with 3,000 trees, particularly near the Nishinomaru Garden and castle moat. Expect full festivities with food stalls and performances. A small entry fee is required.
• Kema Sakuranomiya Park: This part of the Ogawa River is quiet for most of the year, except when its 4,700 cherry trees flower.

Kyoto & Nara, early April

• Philosopher’s Path: Named after Nishida Kitaro, the verdant 2km path is famed for its 1,500 sakura trees and also its autumn foliage.
• Maruyama Park: The main hanami site in Kyoto, the park’s main attraction is an ancient weeping cherry blossom tree illuminated at night.

• Arashiyama district: A premier spot for sakura viewing, plan your route to get the most out of the season. Top locations include Nakanoshima Park near Togetsukyo Bridge, the Kameyama Area observation deck, and the picturesque Randen “Sakura Tunnel”. You can even get boat rides on the Hozu River under blooming Yamazakura trees.
• Ninnaji Temple: A Buddhist temple founded in 888AD, the World Heritage Site is also home to Omura sakura trees that are known to bloom the latest in Kyoto.
• Mount Yoshino in Nara: Japan’s most famous sakura site with 30,000 trees, is known for the Yamazakura variety, which sports reddish leaves. Top spots include Yoshimizu-jinja Shrine, Hanayagura Observatory, and Yoshino Mikumari-jinja Shrine.

Mount Fuji Area, second week of April

• Chureito Pagoda: You’ll have to climb a little to get the famous view of Fuji-san, the pagoda and sakura trees, but it’s worth it.
• Lake Kawaguchi: Most hobbyists come to take a photograph of the sakura reflected in the lake and Mount Fuji. Head to the northern shore, where there are 200 cherry blossom trees for the best pictures.

• Arakurayama Sengen Park: The Arakurayama Sengen Park Sakura Matsuri was cancelled this year due to large numbers of tourists disrupting local residents. You can still pay a visit to the five-storey Chureito Pagoda with views of the sakura.
• Lake Yamanaka: Sitting at 1,000m above sea level, the lake blooms later along the Northern Shore (Route 138), making for scenic drives and cycling.

Tohoku region, mid-April

• Hirosaki Park: One of Japan’s most famous sakura destinations with more than 2,500 trees, the famed Hirosaki Castle gets even more breathtaking as its moat fills up with sakura petals. Stay after sunset to see the trees lit up.
• Kitakami Tenshochi Park: Come for the 10,000 cherry blossom trees forming a long sakura tunnel by the Kitakami riverside.
• Kakunodate Samurai District: The historical samurai district, with its traditional architecture, comes alive with sakura, making this location one of the most atmospheric “old Japan” settings.

• Shiroishi River Tsutsumi in Miyagi: One of the best hanami spots, the 1,200 trees between Ogawara and Shibata along the river stretch for 8km with the snow-capped Zao mountains in the background.
• Tsuruga Castle in Fukushima: The last stronghold of samurai loyal to the shogunate, the white castle looks even more majestic surrounded by sakura.
• Ashino Park in Aomori: Another highly rated hanami spot, here’s where you can catch a train passing through a sakura tunnel for that iconic photo opportunity.

Hokkaido, late April to May

• Goryokaku Park in Hakodate: The unique star-shaped fort fills with falling cherry blossoms as the trees come into bloom. Get the best view from Goryokaku Tower to see the full geometry.
• Matsumae Park: With more than 10,000 trees and 250 varieties, the park by the Matsumae Castle enjoys a longer blooming period than most places. 

• Maruyama Park in Sapporo: A popular local hanami spot next to a shrine, locals come here to enjoy the blooms at an unhurried pace with a picnic.
• Moerenuma Park in Sapporo: Designed by sculptor Isamu Noguchi, this modern art park is a repurposed waste-disposal site and one of the most unexpected places to enjoy the sakura bloom. Entry is free.
• Nijukken Road Cherry Blossom Avenue in Shinhidaka: Titled one of the most scenic sakura drives in Japan, this 7km of road lined with 2,000 cherry blossom trees is a drive-through unlike any other.