Japan is renowned around the world for its vibrant, awe-inspiring cherry blossom season, which attracts crowds from near and far to view the dreamy pink and white blooms.
Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival
The Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival, known as “Sakura” represents the welcoming of spring. While the actual flower symbolises a time of renewal and the fleeting nature of life. “Hanami” refers to the act of celebrating the festival, and literally translates to “the viewing of flowers,” a tradition which dates back more than a thousand years.
It’s the moment scores of travellers have been waiting for: the cherry blossom season is almost here. In just a few weeks, Japan’s cherry blossoms will emerge from their winter slumber, blanketing the country in a fleeting, ethereal beauty. The 2024 season is expected to peak from late March to early April, particularly in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, covering the country in a technicolour spectacle.
Here’s a round-up of some of the best places around Japan to view the cherry blossoms.
Fukuoka
Perched in the city’s north, Nishi Park is one of the best bloom-viewing locations, home to around 1,300 cherry blossom trees. The historic park, which first opened in 1875, showcases brilliant views of the city, Hakata Bay, and its islands. Nishi Park is also a popular springtime picnic spot, where you’ll find plenty of food and drink stalls during the flowering season.
Hiroshima
Enveloped by around 450 cherry blossom trees, Hiroshima Castle is another picture-perfect location to appreciate the magic of Japan’s unique flora alongside historic architecture. Here, pink cherry blossom hues are peppered across the grounds and line the castle’s moat.
Osaka
Mt Yoshino has been a bucket list viewing destination for centuries with its vast area home to 30,000 cherry blossom trees of different varieties. The cherry blossoms are easily visible from the numerous walking trails and mountain-side ropeway.
Ehime Prefecture
Perched on Hakata Island on the Shimanami Kaido, Hirakiyama Park is an enchanting destination celebrated for its natural beauty. The park is lush and vibrant, adorned with more than 1,000 cherry trees and countless azaleas. Nature lovers and photographers are sure to fall in love with the incredible panoramic views of the surrounding islands and bridges from its observatory.
Tokyo
More than 1,000 trees call Tokyo’s Ueno Park home. The majority frame the pathway between Keisei Ueno Station and the Tokyo National Museum, creating a tunnel-like effect. Chidorigafuchi Park is another sensational viewing spot, especially if you hire a paddle boat to witness the otherworldly reflections of colourful branches cascading down the banks of the river.
Hokkaido
Visit Hokkaido Shrine, nestled next to Maruyama Park in Sapporo to see around 1,400 trees dotted around the shrine. Due to Hokkaido’s climate, cherry blossoms and red and white plum blossoms flourish at the same time.
Tohoku Region
Predominantly consisting of rural communities, sprawling national parks, and hot spring resorts, Tohoku covers six of Honshu’s prefectures. Hirosaki Park in Aomori Prefecture is one of the region’s best cherry blossom viewing locations. During spring, the park is alive with the vibrant colours of around 2,300 trees and 50 different varieties — some of which are more than 300 years old. Take a walk along the Sakura Tunnel on the West Moat, to admire the bloom-cloaked Hirosaki Castle. Or visit during the evening for a magnificent display of illuminated vibrant blooms.
Ibaraki Prefecture
While Ibaraki is often overlooked by international travellers, the destination is well worth visiting during cherry blossom season. Many of its trees are the double-flowering variety, meaning they feature twice the number of petals on a typical cherry blossom tree. Approximately 2,300 of these can be found flowering in Shizumine Park in Nakashi City.
