When is the best time to see cherry blossoms in Japan?

The question of when to travel for cherry blossoms is never as simple as it sounds.

The timing of cherry blossom season is affected by both latitude and altitude, which means that blooms appear earlier in lower and more southerly regions, and later in higher and more northerly regions.

Typically, the ‘blossom front’ begins in Japan’s southernmost territories in late January and sweeps up the country to end in northern Hokkaido in early May, with mountainous regions blooming comparatively later than their lowland neighbours. The exact dates change year on year (trending earlier than ever in recent years), making knowing when to travel even trickier.

This may sound like a headache, but the benefit is that if you want to see cherry blossoms you have a variety of options — and more flexibility than you might think. With a bit of forward planning and the right advice, you can be pretty confident of a successful trip.

So when should I travel?

If it’s your first time visiting Japan and you’re prepared to pay a premium for the experience, late March on the main island is magical (and more than a little mad).

This is Japan’s busiest period for a reason, and we always recommend combining the headline-grabbers with some lesser-known destinations for a quieter, more intimate counterpoint to the madness of Tokyo and Kyoto.

For second- and third-timers (and anyone allergic to crowds), consider oft-overlooked northern Honshu in April, or the wide-open fields and rolling national parks of Hokkaido in early May. You’ll skip some of the more famous sights, but you’ll more than make up for it with rural charm and beautiful, little-known pockets of culture.

January & February

The first cherry blossoms in the whole of Japan typically make their appearance in Okinawa in late January, with full bloom following in the first days of February.

These subtropical islands are known more for their laid-back beach vibes than the classic Japanese image of blossom-cloaked parks and mountainsides — so don’t come expecting the full sakura experience.

That said, not many people visit Okinawa at this time of year (it’s winter, so cooler than your typical beach weather) which means the crowd-phobic will have blossom-filled parks and gardens more or less to themselves. (Well, as much as that’s ever possible in Japan).

March

For travellers visiting the main islands of Honshu, Kyushu and Shikoku, we often recommend kicking off around the 20th of March. Though peak bloom may differ by a few days, most low-lying areas of Japan’s main islands see cherry blossom at a roughly similar time, meaning you’ve a pretty safe chance of catching it at some point during your trip.

There’s a reason this is both the busiest time and place for cherry blossom: thousands of years of traditional culture have been built around the fleeting beauty of the season, and the scenes of mountains and temples wreathed in pink are the ultimate image of Japan.

All this means that you can prepare for a bunfight, but in the best possible way. Yes, you can expect higher prices, packed trains and crowded tourist sites — but you can also look forward to Japan at its most festive, friendly and fun-filled as you join in the nation’s biggest party.

April

A few hours northwest of Tokyo, towering over 3,000 metres above the rest of Honshu, the Japan Alps see their first buds between late March and early April, with full bloom typically falling in the first or second week of April. This pattern is roughly the same for destinations like Akita, Hirosaki and Kakunodate further north — the latter of which usually celebrates its cherry blossom festival around the 20th of the month.

The upside of choosing any of these destinations for cherry blossom season is that you’ll avoid the crowds thronging Honshu’s big-ticket destinations in favour of a much quieter, more off-the-beaten-track experience. For us, Kakunodate’s quietly picturesque historic quarter and weeping cherry trees are as beautiful a backdrop to the blossoms as any in Japan.

The potential risk is that by focussing on just one area you’ll have a narrower window to catch the blossoms, and perhaps miss full bloom if they are earlier or later than expected.

May

For those travelling to Japan after the main rush, cherry blossoms are still an option — you’ll just need to head north to find them.

Hokkaido’s blossoms begin around late April and usually reach full bloom in the early days of May. Sometimes they’ll even stick around until late May, although this is getting rarer as the blossom front gets earlier each year.

Hakodate, Sapporo and Asahikawa are all great spots for blossom-viewing, though you’ll find cherry trees throughout the island (along with an abundance of tulips and shibazakura, though the famous fields of central Hokkaido bloom closer to July and August).

While first-time visitors probably won’t plump for Hokkaido over Honshu’s more classic sights, Japan’s northern island has charms aplenty for the more seasoned adventurer.

It’s worth noting that the blossoms in western Hokkaido coincide with Japan’s ‘Golden Week’ glut of national holidays, which generally fall between 29 April & 5 May. It’s a very (very, very) busy period, and while the crowds won’t necessarily ruin your trip, we usually advise that you avoid it if you can. Further into May, if you’re up for self-driving, eastern Hokkaido sees some of the last cherry blossoms in Japan, and barely any foreign tourists.