In Bloom: A Complete Guide to Cherry Blossom Season in Japan

There is no other place on Earth that celebrates cherry blossoms quite like Japan. 

Not only do the tiny pink flowers possess beauty, but cherry blossoms are also a crucial component in Japanese culture. 

A wide variety of cherry tree species numbering in the hundreds are found throughout all of Japan. In fact, the cherry blossom is so popular it is considered Japan’s unofficial national flower. And their arrival is widely celebrated throughout the country during the spring season with food, song, dance, and camaraderie. 

These tiny flowers have been celebrated for centuries. And today, travelers come from around the world to see them each spring. Japan’s iconic cherry blossoms even have their very own forecast, which allows savvy travelers to plan their trips during peak viewing times. 

Wherever your travels may take you, you don’t want to miss the magic of cherry blossom season in Japan. 

Here’s everything you need to know about this wonderful time of year, including the nation’s most celebrated cherry blossom festivals, plus when and where you can see the best blooms.

What is a cherry blossom festival?

Japan’s cherry blossom festivals are a centuries-old cultural tradition. 

Taking place throughout the entire country, these festivals are commemorated with picnics, parties, sake, and viewing parties, also referred to as hanami, which means “viewing flowers.”  

Historians estimate that hanami dates back more than 1,000 years. At the time of origin, hanami festivals were reserved for the Japanese aristocrats and centered around plum blossoms, rather than cherry blossoms.

Today, cherry blossom festivals have grown to become a mainstay among the masses, drawing in travelers from around the world and across Japan who wish to see the cherry blossoms, otherwise known as "sakura," in full bloom.

Why are cherry blossoms celebrated in Japan?

Cherry blossoms hold cultural significance throughout Japan. And each year, Japan’s iconic cherry blossoms are widely-celebrated to mark the arrival of spring, a time when optimism, renewal, and new life are at their peak. 

While the lifespan of the sakura is relatively brief, the short span of time when cherry blossoms are in bloom serves as a reminder of the impermanence of beauty and life. This idea is often referred to as “mono no aware,” or nothing lasts forever, and can be found depicted in art, folk songs, and Japanese popular culture. 

In the Shinto religion, it is said that sakura hold sacred spirits or forces, which makes cherry blossom season an important cultural event among these communities. And in Buddhism, cherry blossoms symbolize the ephemerality of life.

What happens at a cherry blossom festival?

While the main attraction at a cherry blossom festival is indeed the sakura, these widely-celebrated festivals feature a series of time-tested traditions and cultural events, too.

Food, drink, and merriment: cherry blossom festival traditions and events

Picnics: These open-air feasts are an important component of cherry blossom festivals. Picnics allow friends and family to gather under the pink cherry blossom tree canopies while savoring seasonal foods and traditional desserts like sakura mochi. 

Sake celebrations: A brewed alcoholic beverage made from fermented rice juice, sake is considered the beverage choice for hanami celebrations. It’s not uncommon to find festival-goers sipping sake from day to night at Japan’s cherry blossom festivals.  

Tea ceremonies: Like sake, tea is commonplace throughout hanami celebrations. These traditional tea ceremonies often feature tea wares, including cups and pots, that are decorated in cherry blossom motifs. And both black and green teas can be blended with sakura, providing yet another unique way to experience cherry blossoms.

Cultural experiences: Cherry blossom festivals often feature live performances, dance, and cultural displays. The cultural experience varies from festival to festival, making each hanami special in its own right. 

Paper lanterns: Many of Japan’s most prolific cherry blossom festivals take place well into the evening. After the sun goes down, festival attendees can soak up a new perspective of the festival. At night paper lanterns are commonly lit, and these lanterns illuminate the cherry trees and their blossoms, which makes for a magical experience. 

When do cherry blossom festivals take place in Japan?

Cherry blossom season in Japan occurs annually throughout the spring season, which typically spans from March to May. While the exact timing of the cherry blossoms varies by region, spring in Japan officially begins on March 1 and ends on May 31.

Most cherry blossom festivals start around late March, coinciding with the blooming period in southern regions such as Kyushu, and extend into May as the blossoms move northward to areas like Hokkaido. Weather conditions significantly influence the timing, so it’s essential to check the local cherry blossom forecast for accurate dates.

For the best chance to see the blooms at their peak, plan your visit during the height of spring and stay updated on regional forecasts.

Discover the best cherry blossom festivals in Japan

Encounter thousands of blooming cherry trees and the Osaka Castle Park Cherry Blossom Festival

Osaka is widely regarded among Japan’s best areas for cherry blossom viewing. And the Osaka Castle Park Cherry Blossom Festival is one of the most popular celebrations. 

Osaka Castle Park is brimming with more than 4,000 beautiful cherry trees that are best viewed between late March and early April. 

Throughout the season, visitors are encouraged to explore the vast park grounds for stunning views of the sakura and Osaka Castle. And after dark, don’t miss the hundreds of cherry trees that are illuminated throughout Nishinomaru Garden. 

How to get to the Osaka Castle Park Cherry Blossom Festival: From Tanimachi Yonchome Station, the Osaka Castle Park Cherry Blossom Festival is about a 12-minute walk. 

• Location: Chuo-ku, Osaka 540-0002

Immerse yourself in nature at the Mount Yoshino Cherry Blossom Festival

Located within the boundaries of one of Japan's sacred UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Mount Yoshino Cherry Blossom Festival dazzles with its far-reaching views of pink cherry blossoms and tranquil mountain scenery. 

The expansive territory encompasses three distinct cherry blossom viewing areas, which include the top of Mount Yoshino, Shimo (lower), and Naka (middle) areas. Each area offers a diverse array of cherry blossoms and unique perspectives of the natural landscape, best viewed early to mid-April. 

An astonishing 30,000 cherry trees are said to blanket Mt. Yoshino. The mountainous area is also home to a number of temples and shrines as well as the oldest ropeway in Japan. Mount Yoshino is peppered with small villages that offer refreshments and respite, including food stalls, restaurants, and shops. 

How to get to the Mount Yoshino Cherry Blossom Festival: From Yoshino Station, take the Kintetsu Line; take the shuttle bus to Senbonguchi Station (located at the base of Mount Yoshino). Shuttle bus and minibus transportation options may be available; some vehicle restrictions may be in effect. 

• Location: Mount Yoshino, Yoshino-cho, Yoshino-gun, Nara 639-3115

Celebrate cherry blossom season at the Ueno Cherry Blossom Festival

The Ueno Cherry Blossom Festival is notably one of the largest sakura festivals in Japan.

Located in Ueno Park, this urban cherry blossom festival brings out massive crowds for its picture-perfect views of the blooming cherry trees and after-dark viewing parties. The main entrance to Ueno Park comprises more than half of the park’s 1,000-plus cherry trees and is a popular spot for viewing. 

History buffs can relish in the fact that Ueno Park’s first cherry trees were originally planted by Tokugawa lemitsu, the third shogun of the Tokugawa Shogunate, dating back to the 17th century. 

How to get to the Ueno Cherry Blossom Festival: From Tokyo Station, take the Yamanote Line to Ueno Station; the Ueno Cherry Blossom Festival is located directly off this stop. 

• Location: Uenokoen, Taito-ku, Tokyo 110-0007

Observe the sakura at the Tsuruoka Cherry Blossom Festival

Spanning over the course of a two-week blooming season from mid to late April, the Tsuruoka Cherry Blossom Festival is recognized as one of the most beautiful places to see cherry blossoms in Japan. 

The Tsuruoka Cherry Blossom Festival is held in the picturesque Tsuruoka Park, built on the ruins of Tsurugaoka Castle, where 730 cherry trees bloom every spring. During the festival, hundreds of vendors assemble around the park entrance, where you can find snacks, sweets, and even souvenirs to commemorate the festival. 

From day to night, sightseers and photographers alike can enjoy unparalleled views of the sakura that the Tsuruoka Cherry Blossom Festival offers. 

How to get to the Tsuruoka Cherry Blossom Festival: Take the JR Uetsu Line to Tsuruoka Station; take the bus toward Tunohamana Onsen for the Shiyakusho-mae stop at Tsuruoka Park. The Tsuruoka Cherry Blossom Festival is located directly off of this stop. 

• Location: 21 Choyomachi, Tsuruoka City, Yamagata 997-0024

Savor views and barbecue at the Goryokaku Cherry Blossom Festival

The Goryokaku Cherry Blossom Festival is among the best sakura celebrations in Hakodate. Located within the star-shaped Goryokaku Park, the festival provides exceptional views of the more than 1,600 cherry trees that bloom throughout the park boundary, many of which were planted in 1914 when the park opened to the public. 

The Goryokaku Cherry Blossom Festival offers something for everyone, whether you’re a foodie or a sightseer. Travelers can indulge their barbecue cravings while taking in the sights with the purchase of a Goryokaku Ohanami Plan, complete with Hokkaido’s delectable Mongolian-style lamb. 

There are many unique vantage points within Goryokaku Park. Don’t miss the views from the observation tower, and be sure to check out the moated fort where sakura flourish. After the sun goes down, park-goers can experience the cherry blossoms at night as hundreds of white and red lanterns illuminate the scenic viewing area. 

How to get to the Goryokaku Cherry Blossom Festival: From Hakodate Station, take the bus or tram to Goryokaku Koen Mae; the Goryokaku Cherry Blossom Festival is a few minute walk from this stop. 

• Location: 44-1 Goryokaku-cho, Hakodate City, Hokkaido 040-0001

See a spectacle of cherry blossoms at the Odawara Cherry Blossom Festival

From mid-March to May, Odawara Castle Park is ablaze in pink cherry blossoms. It’s estimated that more than 300 cherry trees grow within the area, making this cherry blossom festival one that should not be missed. 

The park and festival are centered around a stunning recreation of a 15th-century castle and moat that are positioned in the center of the hundreds of blooming cherry trees, which is truly a sight to see. At night, paper lanterns illuminate the area, which allows visitors to experience the scenic site from a new perspective.  

How to get to the Odawara Cherry Blossom Festival: From Tokyo Station, take the Shinkansen train to Odawara Station; the Odawara Cherry Blossom Festival is about a 10-minute walk from the station.

• Location: Odawara City, Kanagawa 250-0014

Experience scenic views at the Kitakami Tenshochi Cherry Blossom Festival

At Kitakami Tenochi Cherry Blossom Festival, travelers can take in more than one mile of scenic views and hundreds of acres where more than 10,000 cherry trees bloom annually from mid-April to early May. The celebration at Kitakami Tenshochi Park is regarded as one of the premier cherry blossom festivals in all of Iwate Prefecture. 

The festival offers visitors the opportunity to see and experience the cherry blossoms in a variety of ways, including by sightseeing river boats and by strolling the park at night when the cherry trees are illuminated. The most popular way to see the cherry blossoms is to explore the exhibition on foot first and then catch a horse-drawn carriage back to where you began. 

In addition to the cherry blossom viewing, the festival features craft exhibits, live cultural performances and dancing, and cherry blossom sampling, where visitors can taste creations made from sakura blossoms. 

Kitakami Tenbochi Park was established more than 100 years ago when more than 150 species of cherry trees were initially planted and cultivated. Decades later, travelers from around the world flock to Iwate Prefecture every spring to experience one of Japan’s best cherry blossom festivals. 

How to get to the Kitakami Tenshochi Cherry Blossom Festival: From Kitakami Station, the Kitakami Tenshochi Cherry Blossom Festival is about a 20-minute walk. 

• Location: 10 Chiwari Tachibana, Kitakami City, Iwate 024-0043

Plan your next adventure with Japan Airlines today

Wherever your cherry blossom festival celebrations may take you, from the rolling, scenic landscapes of Mount Yoshino to the buzzy, urban Ueno Park, Japan Airlines can help you get there with ease. 

Book your next trip with us and take advantage of the perks that come standard with our Japan Explorer Pass. Our simple and affordable fare provides access to over 30 cities across the JAL domestic network. Plus, you can enjoy amenities like award-winning economy class seating and Wi-Fi on all JAL domestic flights.