Season of Cherry Blossom in Japan: When, Where, Things to Do

Immerse yourself in the joyful season of cherry blossom in Japan, a breathtaking blend of nature, culture, and tradition.

Springtime in Japan is all about fresh starts, stunning sights, and gorgeous landscapes. A highlight of the season is definitely the cherry blossoms or sakura. 

Each year, people—both locals and tourists—gather to enjoy this beautiful moment of nature, celebrating its short-lived beauty with fun festivals, relaxing picnics, and lots of photos.

But when exactly is the cherry blossom season in Japan, and what makes it so special? Let’s dive in!

The Season of Cherry Blossom in Japan

When is the cherry blossom season in Japan? Cherry blossoms typically begin blooming in late March and reach full bloom (満開, mankai) in early April. 

Between Late March and Early April

However, it doesn't always apply to every area. 

Basically, when flowers bloom really depends on where you are and how warm it is that year. In the warmer southern parts, like Kyushu, the blooming starts first, then it moves up north to Hokkaido. 

The Period of Cherry Blossom Season

Like I said before, cherry blossoms are all about that "short-lived beauty" since they don't stay in bloom for long.

How Long Do Cherry Blossoms Last in Japan

Cherry blossoms are famous for their short-lived beauty. When they bloom, they look amazing for about a week before the petals start to drop. 

Overall, the blooming period lasts about two weeks, but factors like rain and wind can cut it short.

Which region of Japan has the first and last full-bloom

In many places, cherry blossoms hit their peak in early April. But if you're in chillier spots like Tohoku or Hokkaido, those blossoms take their time and might not show up until May. 

This seasonal progression is known as the cherry blossom front (桜前線, sakura zensen).

The first cherry blossoms usually pop up in the southern islands of Okinawa around January or February. Then, if you head all the way north to Hokkaido, you can catch the last full bloom, which happens in late April to early May.

So, if you're up for it, you can enjoy cherry blossoms for a few months just by traveling across different parts of Japan.

If you're planning a trip to Japan in mid to late April and are worried about whether April is too late for cherry blossoms in Japan, you can relax by heading north, where you can still catch those beautiful blooms.

Japan Cherry Blossom Forecast 2025

On the topic of the period of cherry blossom season in Japan, how about we check out some detailed forecasts for when they'll actually bloom?

Every year, the Japan Meteorological Agency and some private weather services share their forecasts on when cherry blossoms will likely bloom. They figure this out by looking at temperature trends, past data, and current weather conditions. 

Just a heads up, while we won’t know the exact forecast for the upcoming year until we get closer to spring, you can expect to see those beautiful blossoms popping up as usual between late March and early April in central Japan. 

Here, let's see the cherry blossom forecast for 2025.

source: weathernews.jp

Japan's Prefectures with the Most Cherry Blossom Destinations

I think Japan has so many beautiful spots to enjoy cherry blossoms that it's hard to narrow it down! But here are two main areas that are super easy to visit.

Nara

Nara is a really cool place and is extremely popular with tourists. During cherry blossom season, Yoshino in Nara Prefecture is the top destination for cherry blossoms in Japan. Over 30,000 cherry trees blanket Mount Yoshino, making it all pink and beautiful!

Kyoto

Here's my bias, as I used to live in Kyoto. You can catch amazing views at places like Kiyomizu-dera, the Philosopher’s Path, the Nanatani River, and the Yamashina Canal. The mix of old temples and cherry blossoms really makes Kyoto a go-to place for hanami (flower viewing).

Things People Do at the Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival

Cherry blossom season isn’t just about enjoying the blooms—it’s a whole Japanese cultural vibe! Here are some fun things to do during the Japanese cherry blossom festival in Japan.

1. Hanami (Flower Viewing) 

Cherry blossom viewing, or Hanami (花見), is a fun tradition where folks chill under blooming trees for picnics, drinking tea, eating bento, sipping sake, and enjoying seasonal goodies like sakura mochi. Parks and gardens get packed with families, friends, and coworkers enjoying the beauty of spring together.

2. Night Illuminations

In Japan, you can find some cool night illuminations called yozakura (夜桜), where they light up cherry blossoms with lanterns and spotlights. Hot spots like the Meguro River in Tokyo and Maruyama Park in Kyoto are perfect for enjoying these beautiful nighttime views, making it super romantic.

Let's Learn How to Say Cherry Blossom in Japanese

Since enjoying the season of cherry blossom in Japan sounds fun, how about we level up a little and learn how to say 'cherry blossom' in Japanese?

• Cherry blossom - 桜 (sakura)
• Flower viewing - 花見 (hanami)
• Night cherry blossom - 夜桜 (yozakura)
• Cherry blossom front - 桜前線 (sakura zensen)
• Full-bloom - 満開 (mankai)
• Cherry blossom forecast - 桜開花予想 (sakura kaika yosou)