Where to See Sakura in Japan

Japan is well known for its sakura (cherry blossoms), and many travel to Japan during Spring just to see these beautiful flowers. If you are travelling to Japan this Spring, you’ll definitely want to plan your trip such that you will be able to see the cherry blossoms in their full bloom. Here’s a guide to when and where you can visit to help you plan your trip!

Forecast as of: 23 March 2023

Source: Japan Meteorological Corporation

Due to a much warmer March this year, the cherry blossoms are expected to start blooming earlier than usual. It is expected to start blooming from the middle of March in Tokyo, before it blooms in other regions across Japan. You can keep a look out for the Japan Meteorological Corporation’s forecast of the status of the sakura across the different parks and regions in Japan — note that the dates are just a forecast, and the actual time of blooming might fluctuate from place to place.

Forecasted flowering date: 15 March

Forecasted full bloom date: 22 March

• Ueno Park

  

  Source: Japan Travel

  Ueno Park is one of Japan's most crowded and popular spots for cherry blossom parties. It features more than 800 trees along the central path. People typically lay out their towels and mats under the tress and have a picnic under the cherry blossoms. If you are planning to also have a picnic under the trees, plan to arrive earlier to get a spot. The cherry blossoms at Ueno Park typically bloom slightly earlier than the rest of the gardens.

  🚆 Nearest station: Ueno JR Station

• Shinjuku Gyoen

  

  Source: Japan Guide

  Shinjuku Gyoen has more than 1,000 cherry trees of various varieties which bloom at different stages. The early and late blooming trees makes it a great destination for those who will not be in Tokyo during the main blooming period. As an admission ticket (500JPY) is required for Shinjuku Gyoen, it tends to be more peaceful and slightly less crowded than most of the other parks.

  🚆 Nearest station: Shinjuku-gyoenmae Station or Sendagaya Station

• Chidorigafuchi

  

  Source: Japan Travel

  Chidorigafuchi has one of Tokyo’s most outstanding sakura sights. Picnics are not allowed at Chidorigafuchi, but you can instead rent a boat to row around the moat of the former Edo Castle. You can also head over to the Yasukuni Shrine nearby, which also has a lot of cherry trees planted.

  🚆 Nearest station: Kudanshita station

Forecasted flowering date: 19 March

Forecasted full bloom date: 28 March

• Maizuru Park

  

  Source: Yoka Navi

  Maizuru Park is one of the best places in Fukuoka to see the cherry blossoms, with about a thousand cherry trees planted among the Fukuoka Castle Ruins. The contrast of the ancient ruins with the pink and white cherry blossoms creates a beautiful image. Head to the observation platform in the honmaru for a spectacular view of the cherry blossoms.

  🚆 Nearest station: Omachi Nishi-Koen station

• Nishi Park

  

  Source: Japan Travel

  Nishi Park is an ideal location for cherry blossoms viewing. The park overlooks Hakata Bay, and you can get a fantastic view of Fukuoka City, the Hakata Bay, and its neighbouring islands from the observatory. During sakura season, food stalls line up the avenue leading to Terumo Shrine in the park.

  🚆 Nearest station: Ohori Park Station

• Nokonoshima Island Park

  

  Source: Nokonoshima

  Nokonoshima Island Park is known for its flower garden which has beautiful flowers all through the year, and is a popular destination for a getaway from Fukuoka. In Spring, cherry blossoms also bloom in Nokonoshima Island Park, splashing the park with pink and white colours. You will have to take a ferry from Fukuoka City to get to Nokonoshima Island.

Forecasted flowering date: 20 March

Forecasted full bloom date: 29 March

• Tsuruma Park

  

  Source: Aichi Now

  Tsuruma Park is popular for many reasons, one of which being its forest of 700 cherry trees that come to bloom all at once during the sakura season. It is the most popular location in Nagoya for people to have their customary flower watching picnics.

  🚆 Nearest station: Tsurumai Subway Station

• Nagoya Castle

  

  Source: Aichi Now

  Nagoya Castle is one of the must-see attractions in Nagoya, especially so during the sakura season. Around 1,000 cherry trees of various varieties are planted around the Nagoya Castle. During the Cherry Blossoms Festival, some of the areas are also lit up at night, creating an enchanting scenery which is only visible this time of year. Lots of other festival events and attractions are held.

  🚆 Nearest station: Shiyakusho station

• Yamazakigawa Riverside

  

  Source: Japan Travel

  The main promenade of the Yamazakigawa Riverside is named Shinkinomichi, meaning ‘Path of Four Seasons’, and boasts beautiful views throughout the year. It is especially so during the cherry blossoms season, where hundreds of large cherry trees line up along the sides of the river. The spectacular views have secured Yamazakigawa Riverside’s spot in the list of Japan’s Top 100 Cherry Blossom viewing spots.

  🚆 Nearest station: Mizuho Undojo Nishi Station

Forecasted flowering date: 22 March

Forecasted full bloom date: 30 March

• Maruyama Park

  

  Source: Kyoto City Official Travel Guide

  Maruyama Park is the oldest park in Kyoto, and is Kyoto’s most popular park for cherry blossom viewing. It lies next to Yasaka-jinja Shrine, at the base of Kyoto's eastern mountains, and covers an area of 86000 square meters. The centerpiece of the park is a old weeping cherry tree, whose drooping branches fill up with glorious blossoms.

  🚌 Nearest city bus stop: Gion

• Philosopher’s Path

  

  Source: Japan Travel

  Kyoto is famous for its historical shrines and temples, and during spring, these structures look particularly majestic against the pink and white flowers. The city’s famous Philosopher’s Walk (Tetsugaku no Michi) is a path beside a canal lined by hundreds of cherry trees located between the famous Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion) and the Nanzenji, and is one of the best spots for a picturesque view of springtime Tokyo.

  🚌 Nearest bus stop: Kinrinshakomae Bus Stop

• Arashiyama

  

  Source: Japan Guide

  While Arashiyama is best known for its bamboo forest, it is actually also a great location for cherry blossom viewing and is one of Japan’s Top 100 spots for Cherry Blossom viewing. You will also see many cherry trees around the Togetsukyo Bridge at the foot of Arashiyama mountains, and also along the Katsura River.

Forecasted flowering date: 23 March

Forecasted full bloom date: 31 March

• Kema Sakuranomiya Park

  

  Source: Japan Travel

  This should be at the top of your list of must-visits if you are visiting Osaka during the sakura season. Kema Sakuranomiya Park stretches out over four kilometers alongside the Ogawa River, and its banks are densely lined with around seemingly endless rows of cherry trees. You can have a picnic at the lawns in the park, or take a stroll through the park towards Osaka Castle.

  🚆 Nearest station: Sakuranomiya station

• Osaka Castle

  

  Source: Osaka Castle Park

  Osaka Castle is one of the best places for cherry blossoms in Osaka. The 100-hectare park that surrounds the castle is filled with over 3,000 cherry trees and they make for some excellent views with the castle tower in the background.

  🚆 Nearest station: Osakajokoen Station

• Osaka Mint

  

  Source: Mint.go.jp

  The Osaka Zoheikyoku (Osaka Mint) is Osaka’s most popular cherry blossom spot. The premises are usually not open to public, but will be opened for a limited time during the cherry blossom season. This year, it will be opened from April 7 to April 13. Pre-registration is required to enter the gardens.

  The garden of the mint contains mainly yaezakura trees, which bloom later and keep their leaves later than other varieties, making it is a good choice for those who will be at Osaka after the main cherry blossom season.

  🚆 Nearest station: Tenmabashi station or Tenmangu station

Forecasted flowering date: 26 April

Forecasted full bloom date: 30 April

• Maruyama Park

  

  Source: Maruyama Park

  The Maruyama park and its neighbouring Hokkaido shrine attract some of the largest crowds in Sapporo for cherry blossom viewing. The path to the shrine is lined with dozens of cherry trees and provides one of the most spectacular views in the park. You can lay out your mats and have a picnic under the flowers at Maruyama Park, but note that picnicking is not allowed at the Hokkaido shrine.

  🚆 Nearest station: Maruyama-Koen station

• Nakajima Park

  

  Source: Hokkaido Guide

  There are about 400 cherry trees in Nakajima Park of various varieties. As the trees bloom at different times, the cherry blossoms at Nakajima Park stretches over a slightly longer period of time. Nakajima Park is also a relatively quieter park, so you can enjoy the tranquility as you admire the cherry blossoms.

  🚆 Nearest station: Nakajima-Kōen station

• Makomanai Park

  

  Source: Makomanai Park

  Makomanai Park is located on the southern part of Sapporo. The park was the main venue of the Sapporo Winter Olympics in 1972, and today, its stadiums are still well-maintained and remain a commonly used sporting venue. The park has large numbers of cherry trees planted throughout, and you can take a leisurely stroll through the park while you admire the cherry blossoms during spring.

  🚆 Nearest station: Makomanai station