Chasing Sakura is a bit of a gamble as the blooming is just for a week in each region and so highly dependent on the weather.
– [Nationwide Sakura Weather Map](https://sakura.weathermap.jp/sp/en.php)
Tokyo cherry blossom (sakura) are approaching full bloom and the Kyoto tourism office has released a detailed update of blooming predictions for many sites. These websites might be helpful for those who will be in these cities within the next week or so.
– [Tokyo Cherry Blossom Report as of March 22, 2023](https://www.timeout.com/tokyo/things-to-do/cherry-blossoms-report-are-the-sakura-at-full-bloom-yet)
– [2023 Kyoto Cherry Blossom Calendar](https://kyoto.travel/en/cherryblossom/index.html)
– [Visit Kyoto: Events in Kyoto March 20 – April 2](https://kyoto.travel/en/news/events_in_kyoto.html)
From full bloom in a location the blossoms typically last about a week but heavy rains or high winds can make the petals fall more quickly. Even when the petals are falling though the trees are still gorgeous as it looks a little like cherry blossom snow.
Plan to go to some of the less famous cherry blossom spots if you can. If you’re lucky enough to overlap with the blooming you’ll truthfully spot cherry blossoms all over the places you’re in as they are often trees planted here and there even if it isn’t a famous spot. There should also be some Illumination events too which are fun to go to at night. They are often held in temples/shrines/gardens that typically close at 5 pm or do but during the illuminations they stay open later. So you can save visiting those spots for before/after dinner. In Kanto (Tokyo area) I love Aoyama Cemetery and in western Tokyo Showa Kinen Park and Kunitachi. Kawagoe is also an awesome spot as there’s a stream lined with Sakura trees behind Hikawa Shrine.
– [12 Night Sakura in Japan](https://matcha-jp.com/en/1676)
– [Sakura Spots in Tokyo](https://www.timeout.com/tokyo/things-to-do/cherry-blossoms-in-tokyo)
– [7 Hidden Cherry Blossom Spots in Tokyo](https://jw-webmagazine.com/hidden-cherry-blossom-spots-in-tokyo/)
– [13 Best Places to See Cherry Blossoms in Saitama](https://www.tokyoweekender.com/japan-life/best-cherry-blossoms-saitama/)
– [Tokyo Cherry Blossom Mega Guide](https://tokyocheapo.com/entertainment/outdoors/tokyo-cherry-blossoms-top-hanami-spots/)
– [Tokyo Sakura Tram. Best on weekdays.](https://livejapan.com/en/in-tokyo/in-pref-tokyo/in-ikebukuro/article-a0001665/)
In Kansai Himeiji Castle (try to visit on a weekday) and Osaka Castle are famous but if you want to get away from the worst of the crowds try the Expo 70 Commemorative Park in Osaka. Great option to have a picnic lunch, let the kids play on the awesome playgrounds, and there’s a large LaLaPort Mall with shopping/restaurants next to it.
– [100 Cherry Blossom Spots: Kansai](https://travel.gaijinpot.com/100-places-see-cherry-blossom-japan-kansai/)
– [Off the Beaten Path Cherry Blossoms in Kyoto](https://www.insidekyoto.com/kyoto-one-day-off-the-beaten-track-cherry-blossom-itinerary)
Missing peak bloom or coming to Japan next year too early? Keep in mind there are early and late blooming Sakura types too. Search City Name + Early/Late Cherry Blossoms to find info.
– [Matcha: Early Blooming Sakura Spots in Tokyo](https://matcha-jp.com/en/4108)
– [Late Blooming Sakura Spots in Japan](https://jw-webmagazine.com/amazing-spots-for-late-blooming-cherry-blossoms-from-mid-april-d5d6c6f71517/)
– [Yaezakura: Tokyo Late Blooming Sakura](https://tokyocheapo.com/entertainment/outdoors/yaezakura-late-blooming-cherry-trees-tokyo/)
– [Trip Report: Early Blooming Sakura on Izu Peninsula near Tokyo](https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanTravel/comments/mlugpb/early_cherry_blossoms_in_the_izu_peninsula_in/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf)
– [Trip Report: Late Cherry Blossoms in Fuji Area](https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanTravel/comments/moqcwv/cherry_blossoms_in_fuji_five_lakes_dayovernight/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf)
You can also chase cherry blossoms north as the further north of Tokyo you go the later they bloom. In Hokkaido, cherry blossoms typically bloom just before or during Golden Week the first week in May.
– [Best Cherry Blossom Spots in Tohoku](https://jw-webmagazine.com/cherry-blossom-spots-in-tohoku/)
– [Best Cherry Blossoms in Hokkaido](https://jw-webmagazine.com/cherry-blossom-hokkaido/)
– [Aomori/Akita: Cherry Blossoms and Samurai History using the 5-day JR East Tohoku Pass](https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanTravel/comments/nahtfk/chasing_cherry_blossoms_in_aomori_and_samurai/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf)
Finally, sakura are just one of the many gorgeous flowers that bloom in Japan. Stay flexible and be open to seeing all of Japan’s flowers in bloom!
– [Tokyo Flower Mega Guide](https://tokyocheapo.com/entertainment/outdoors/tokyo-flowers-every-month/)
– [JapanGuide: Flowers in Japan](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2423.html)
– [Trip Report: Tokyo Roses on Retro Arakawa Streetcar](https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanTravel/comments/nf7hgc/tokyo_day_trip_rose_spotting_on_the_toden_arakawa/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf)
18 comments
Gyoen was absolutely stunning today
If we are flying in next Wednesday in to Tokyo, do you think blooms will be mostly gone? I’m guessing it will still be beautiful, but too bad we’re missing full bloom by a few days!
We will be arriving in Tokyo on Sat morning. Surely, that will be pretty on time.. Here’s hoping. 🙂
We are arriving on 10th in Tokyp and it looks like Nagano might be our only option. Not sure if there’s a thing to see by then?
We are debating between Matsumoto Castle and the monkey park. Anyone know which one we should aim for?
Hoping to see some on the 2nd. Even if it’s the late blooming ones
Bummer, we left last week. Not that it’s the end of the world, but one day I’ll try and be there on time.
Going to Ueno today and hopefully the rain doesn’t knock too much off!!!
We went to Sumida Park yesterday and it was pretty but maybe a little bare still.
We’re arriving Monday afternoon, hopefully it all works out!
Ah, we’re flying on the 31st. Hoping to still catch some cherry blossoms (Tokyo – Kyoto)
What times would Hakone/Mt.Fuji and Mt. Koya have blossoms? Would they be later due to the elevation?
For anyone looking to go to Kanazawa, Kenroku-en, Kanazawa Castle Park, and Kazue-machi Chaya District/along the adjacent Asano River are the most common sites I’ve seen so far.
I am going April 6th, i am missing by 3 days, damn climate change.
Damn I don’t get there till the 2nd
We won’t get to Tokyo until 4/13. Planning on doing a day trip to Nagano on 4/14 and hoping there are blossoms there. If anyone has additional spots not too far from Tokyo around that time, that would be great! We can only really sacrifice a day trip sadly
I’m arriving Sunday night! Hoping for some good views on Monday!
I’m so sad, we’re fltying in on april 3rd to tokyo, it won’t stick around will it?
Thank you for this!
Thank you for this ! My friends and I were planning to go to Hokkaido right after golden week but it looks like with current forecasts we might just miss the cherry blossoms this year. Regardless it should be a fun trip !