Experiencing Cherry Blossoms in Japan

Marking the beginning of spring, the annual arrival of Japan’s cherry blossoms (known as sakura) is a fleeting one, and we have the experience and local knowledge to build your trip to Japan around this natural phenomenon.

Moving from south to north, we’ll arrange your travel around the best times and places to see the Sakura
Combine cherry blossom viewing with ancient temples, mountain ryokans, coastal villages, or vibrant city culture
Every detail planned and booked for you, with 24/7 Scott Dunn support wherever you are

Japan’s cherry blossoms have drawn crowds for over a thousand years, with parks, riverbanks, and castle courtyards dissolving into clouds of pale pink and white. The Japanese call it hanami, the art of flower viewing, and it's woven into the culture. But, as any natural phenomenon, its pattern changes year by year, making it hard for first time visitors to track down when to go and where.

Our Japan specialists know the cherry blossom season intimately, including which parks fill before breakfast, which hilltop shrines stay quiet long after the crowds thin, and which weeks give you the best chance of catching peak bloom in each region. We track the forecasts, we know the locations, and we'll build your itinerary around the best chance of seeing the blossoms in bloom.

The blooms move northward as spring progresses, from Kyushu and Okinawa in late January through to Hokkaido in late April and early May, meaning opportunities for how we shape your time. Whether you want three days in Kyoto at the height of the season, or a two-week journey following the bloom from south to north, we’ll create a Japan itinerary that fits.

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Where To Go and When
Busy This Spring? Try Fall in Japan

Where To Go and When

With over 200 species of cherry trees blossoming spontaneously, there are plenty of opportunities to catch the sakura in full bloom throughout Japan, from the ancient parks of Tokyo and the temples of Kyoto to the foothills of Mount Fuji. While Mother Nature offers no guarantees as to when the first buds will begin to blossom, we’ve gained a pretty good idea by studying them over several years.

The first sighting of the famed cherry blossom usually takes place in January or February in the southernmost prefecture of Okinawa, and from here the blooms gradually move north. The most popular places to see the blossoms are on the main island of Honshu, where they tend to arrive around Tokyo and Kyoto between late March and early April. If you miss them there, visitors to the island of Hokkaido can hope to witness the blooms as late as the beginning of May.

Here are a few of our favorite cherry blossom viewing spots:

Osaka Castle, Osaka
Philosopher’s Path, Kyoto
Hakone National Park, Hakone
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, Tokyo

Top Tip: Spring is the most difficult time of year to secure accommodation. Hotels in Japan release their rooms one year before travel, so for the cherry blossom season, they become available in April. We recommend booking as soon as the rooming allocations are released.

Busy This Spring? Try Fall in Japan

While Japan’s cherry blossoms are truly stunning and celebrating their beauty has become something of a rite of passage for tourists and locals alike, one cannot ignore the fact that these beautiful blooms draw substantial crowds. Accommodation in cherry blossom season books up almost as soon as it becomes available (a year in advance) and prices skyrocket.

If you want to experience a quieter but equally colorful Japan, autumn is a spectacular time of year to visit. Once the summer heat and humidity die down, autumn promises pleasant temperatures, clear skies, and vibrant foliage to rival that of the cherry blossoms. Maple and ginkgo trees mellow into striking oranges and reds, and temples and shrines that were once cloaked in pinks now take on rich autumnal jackets.

Red, orange, yellow, and green trees line a river with boats floating down it.

We think this is arguably the best time to visit Japan. Stroll beneath Japanese maple trees in the immaculately manicured garden of Kenrokuen in Kanazawa, marvel at the majestic Mount Fuji among rich autumnal colors from the shores of Fuji Five Lakes, and admire Kyoto’s many temples as they glow warmly in shades of yellow, orange, and red.

Did you know? The ginkgo tree is one of the oldest living tree species, first emerging over 200 million years ago.

Handpicked Accommodation & Tours for Cherry Blossoms

During cherry blossom season, certain hotels and ryokans offer blossom viewing from right outside to window, easy walking to the best spots before the day begins, and access to lively evenings and cultural experiences that are unique to Japan.

Our collection of accommodation includes a range of places to stay, from centuries-old ryokans to contemporary luxury hotels positioned in the heart of Japan's most celebrated blossom destinations. Together with our personalized itineraries, they create a culturally rich tour that showcases the best of Japan.

Explore our favorite properties for cherry blossoms below as well as our sample cherry blossom tour.

Properties
Itineraries

Palace Hotel, Tokyo

Tokyo, Japan

The iconic Palace Hotel is contemporary in style and in one of the most desirable locations in Tokyo. With outdoor terraces, balconies and incredible views it is a great addition to Tokyo's collection of luxury properties.

Mandarin Oriental Tokyo

Tokyo, Japan

The Mandarin Oriental is a chic hotel located in a commanding position high above the busy metropolis of Tokyo, giving unparalleled views. It is just a short distance from the exclusive Ginza shopping area and the Imperial Palace Gardens.

Hotel Nikko Kanazawa

Kanazawa, Japan

With a wonderful location adjacent to Kanazawa Station, large choice of dining options, spacious and comfortable rooms offering fabulous views and friendly helpful staff, Hotel Nikko is the ideal base for exploring Kanazawa’s famous castle and gardens.

Yoshimatsu

Hakone, Japan

Surrounded by bamboo trees and hills, Yoshimatsu is a traditional ryokan with beautiful outdoor hot spring baths and a traditional Japanese garden. Rooms come with private hot spring baths and the stunning kaiseki cuisine is some of the best in Hakone.

The Sekitei

Miyajimaguchi, Japan

Nestled into the hillside overlooking the inland Sea of Japan and out to Miyajima Island, The Sekitei provides the ultimate Ryokan experience. With just twelve rooms, the attention to detail here is outstanding and the service is second to none.

The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto

Kyoto, Japan

The property has an excellent location on the Kamogawa River, close to Kyoto’s downtown areas including Gion and Kawaramachi-dori and is one of the city's most desired abodes. Guest rooms offer stunning views of the river and the Higashiyama Mountains.

11 nights

Ultimate Japan

Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima & Hakone

Japan is one of the most fascinating destinations in Asia and this classic itinerary is perfect for those wanting to experience the delightful diversity of the country, with stops at the main highlights of Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima and Hakone.

From

$11,300 pp

12 nights

Limitless Japan

Tokyo, Yamashiro Onsen, Kyoto, Ise Peninsula

Ignite the senses as you take an awe-inspiring tour through Japan in limitless luxury, enjoying the eclectic mix of madcap modernity and tranquil tradition. Slip between skyscrapers, savor sake, and be stunned by samurai. Headquarter at some of the most exclusive hotels and native ryokans while enjoying unparalleled service and delectable cuisine.

12 nights

Japan in Spring - Cherry Blossom Season

Tokyo, Kanazawa, Miyajima, Kyoto & Hakone

Explore and marvel during Sakura season, when beautiful cherry blossom blankets the country. Taking you throughout the island of Honshu, visit Japan in spring to see a nation in full bloom. The unfolding beauty continues through Hakone National Park and Miyajima Island, two of the best and most picturesque places to see Japan’s famed blossom.

From

$21,100 pp