Sakura season: Your guide to cherry blossoms

For just a few weeks every spring, Japan celebrates an annual ritual known as hanami. In theory, it’s a simple pleasure: stopping to view and appreciate the beautiful spring blossoms, most commonly cherry trees.

In reality, it’s a hugely symbolic and much-loved source of national pride, a chance to recognize and reflect on the beauty of nature while welcoming the new season. People often gather and sit under the trees, bringing food, drinks and occasionally music with them. This being Japan, everything is perfectly organized and left spotlessly clean.

When the Japan Weather Association’s annual sakura forecast is broadcast live, it brings with it a flurry of domestic and international bookings as travelers rush to make the most of the country’s stunning landscapes and scenery.

Given the size and geographical spread of the country, the cherry blossoms – or sakura – appear at different times and usually only last for a few days. In January they’re already in bloom way down in Okinawa, but for the rest of the country, viewing times vary from late March until the second week of May.

According to the 2018 cherry blossom forecast, the blooms will likely appear in Kagoshima, on Kyushu island, on March 21. Tokyo will welcome the beautiful flowers on March 24. In the north, Sapporo will see sakura on May 2.

For a full list of predicted bloom times, visit JNTO.go.jp.

Here are some great destinations to experience this short but uniquely Japanese phenomenon.

Mount Fuji

Video Ad Feedback

Japan's most beautiful mountains

01:09 - Source: CNN

World Expeditions runs a two-week “Backroads of Japan” tour that crosses the country during cherry blossom season and includes a visit to Japan’s most iconic natural wonder – and most famous active volcano – Mount Fuji.

The mountain is surrounded by five lakes – Lake Kawaguchi, Lake Yamanaka, Lake Sai, Lake Motosu and Lake Shoji – all of which provide the perfect foreground to appreciate the region’s cherry blossoms.

Given the mountain’s popularity and symbolic importance, the region can often be very busy. But thanks to the large number of viewing options you can almost always frame that perfect Japanese shot.

Kanazawa

Kanazawa is a beautifully preserved historic city on the coast near the Japanese Alps, a series of mountain ranges that bisect the country’s main island of Honshu.

It’s famed for its Kenrokuen Gardens, considered one of the top three gardens in the country – which is really saying something. It also features a small geisha community as well as a samurai district.

As it remains comparatively off the usual tourist radar, it allows for a particularly Japanese sakura experience.

Nara

Nara Park features more than 1,500 cherry trees.

The ancient capital of Nara sits a short train ride from Kyoto and makes for a popular day trip with its abundance of opportunities to catch cherry blossoms in all their glory.

In the Shinto religion deer are regarded as messengers of the gods, while they also serve as a symbol of the city. As a result deer roam throughout Nara, especially in “Deer Park” right in the center.

Nara also has one of the world’s largest wooden buildings in the form of the Buddhist Todaiji Temple, while Naramachi is a well preserved former merchant district.

Finally the Kasugataisha shrine, more than 1,200 years old, is yet another remarkable spot to see the sakura amongst the temple’s stone and bronze lanterns.

Jacada Travel includes it as a stop on its Cherry Blossom of Japan luxury tour.

Kyoto

The historic and beautiful former capital of Kyoto boasts 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and more than 1,600 temples, making it one of the most popular destinations for cherry blossom visitors.

Sakura trees line the banks of the serene Kamogawa River, while the city’s Imperial Palace has 60 sakura blossoms known as “Shidare,” which tend to bloom earlier than many spots in the city.

The Shinto Heian Shrine is another popular viewing point thanks to a large number of pink weeping cherry trees in the gardens and grounds.

But one of the most iconic spots can be found in the city’s Gion district, the ancient home to Japan’s geisha.

The Shirakawa waterway runs through a section of Gion near the river and is lined with trees that gently curve towards the water as their blossoms fall and get carried gently downstream. A number of small bars and restaurants line the water and feature terraces that afford some of the best views.

Meanwhile, in the west of the city sits Oharano Shrine. The unique blossoms here are known as “Sengan-sakura,” or “One thousand wishes,” as dreams are said to come true when lucky visitors catch the blossoms during the handful of days they’re in bloom.

A large pond, red bridge and ancient trees including a 450-year-old fir help make it the picture-perfect Japanese garden. The shrine itself is located in a 20-acre maple forest, meaning that the gently rolling hills again explode in color every fall.

Tokyo’s Ueno Park

Ueno Park, Tokyo.

Even in the vast metropolitan expanse of Tokyo there are multiple ways to enjoy sakura watching.

Most famous amongst them comes in the form of Ueno Park, which is lined with thousands of cherry trees. A popular destination at any time, in sakura season it truly comes into its own when a thousand lanterns illuminate the park.

With the spectacle come huge numbers of visitors, so space underneath the pale pink Yoshino cherry trees is coveted. This means you’ll need to grab a special hanami bento box from one of the city’s legendary department stores and get there early to reserve your space with a picnic sheet.

Special events and an antique market are among the other attractions for those who don’t get to secure one of the most sought-after spots.

Niseko

Japan’s northernmost island of Hokkaido offers some of the country’s wildest and most remote landscapes, but it’s a more manicured environment near Niseko that provides an unusual way to enjoy sakura: a round of golf.

One of the two courses at Niseko Village was designed by the legendary Arnold Palmer and features sakura trees along fairways and at the clubhouse entrance to welcome players. Views toward one of Japan’s most sacred mountains, the snow-capped Mt. Yotei, add to the unique sporting experience.

Given Niseko’s location, mid May is the best time to catch the blooms in their glory.

Goryokaku Park, Hakodate

The view from the Goryokaku Tower in the city of Hakodate in southern Hokkaido offers the ultimate aerial cherry blossom experience.

The tower overlooks Fort Goryokaku, a huge star-shaped citadel built in 1855 that lost its importance and subsequently became a public park in 1910.

As part of the transformation, more than 1,000 cherry trees were planted, including hundreds along its former defensive moats, ensuring it remains one of Japan’s most unusual and remarkable spots to catch the short-lived sakura in all their glory.

Kawachi Fuji Garden (Fukuoka): This fragrant wisteria tunnel is the most stunning display at the Kawachi Fuji Garden. With flowering vines overhead, the walkway is said to inspire a zen-like calm in visitors. The garden displays about 150 wisteria plants of 20 different species. It hosts the annual Wisteria Festival at the end of April, when the flowers are in full bloom.

Happo Pond (Nagano): The hike to Happo pond from Hakuba -- a village known for its winter skiing amid the mountains of Nagano Prefecture -- is a classic trail in the Japanese Alps. Surrounded by the Hakuba Peaks, the pond is 2,060 meters above sea level. What the pond lacks in size, it makes up for in beauty, reflecting the 3,000 meter tall peaks in its quiet waters.

Motonosumi-inari Shrine (Yamaguchi): The 123 Torii gates stretches from the Motonosumi-Inari Shrine to the cliff overlooking the ocean. Motonosumi-Inari is a popular shrine where locals wish for success. The final Torii's donation box is placed out of reach at the top of the gate. It's believed that if you can successfully toss money into the box, all your wishes will come true.

Nachi Falls (Wakayama): Nachi Falls, at 133-meters high, is the biggest waterfall in Japan. It steals some of the attention from Kumano Nachi Taishai, a sacred shrine built close by. It's usually the last stop of the scenic pilgrimage known as Kumano Kodo.

Zao ski resort (Yamagata): With 15 slopes and 12 courses, Zao Onsen is one of the most well known ski resorts in Japan. But travelers come to Zao not only for the snow-capped mountain but the trees. Extreme snow and seasonal winds cocoon the mountain's pine trees during the coldest winter months, creating snow towers in obscure forms known as "ice monsters" or Juhyo in Japanese.

Kintetsu Beppu Ropeway (Oita): For those who don't enjoy hiking, this cable car can carry 101 passengers at a time to the top of the 1,375-meter-high Mount Tsurumi in 10 minutes. From the top, there's a view of Beppu, Mount Yufu and Kuju Mountain Range. The best time to ride up is during spring when more than 2,000 cherry trees blossom on the mountain.

Matsumoto Castle (Nagano): Also known as the "crow castle" because of its black exterior, Matsumoto is Japan's oldest wooden castle, constructed more than 400 years ago. The years during the castle's construction were marked by near-constant military conflict. Rather than focusing on residential comforts, the castle is fortified with extensive interconnecting walls, moats and gatehouses.

Shiratani Unsuikyo Gorge (Kagoshima): Hayao Miyazaki fans will find this forest familiar. Shiratani Unsuikyo Gorge inspires Studio Ghibli's fantasy animation "Princess Mononoke." The otherworldly nature park on Yakushima Island offers a network of maintained hiking trails along the ravine. From historic tracks built in the Edo period to developed footpaths paved in stone and wood, the circuits range from one to five hours long, varying in difficulty.

Koya Pond (Niigata): Fall at Mount Hiuchi brings out spectacular colors on Koya Pond. The shallow and marshy water covered with vegetation changes colors -- into red, orange, yellow and green -- like the forest around it. On the edge of the pond, Kouyaike Hutte provides beds and kitchen facilities if you need a rest on you hike up the 2,462-meter-tall mountain.

Poetry Reading at Motsu-ji Temple (Iwate): On the fourth Sunday of May, Motsuji Temple invites poetry lovers to write by the stream of the temple's garden pond. As they compose their verses, cups of sake float to them -- to help the float of inspiration, we assume. The event is concluded with the master of ceremonies reading each poem aloud.

Hitachi Seaside Park (Ibaraki): Also known as "baby blue eyes," more than 4 million nemophilas bloom from late April to May in Hitachi Seaside Park, the public park on Miharashi Hill. The Nemophila Harmony is the highlight of park's flowering events. The 190-hectare park constantly changes color with the seasons. During the transition into fall, puffy kochia shrubs turn from vibrant green to fiery red.

Sagano (Kyoto): Considered one of the world's most beautiful forests, it's not just tranquil visually but also aurally. The bamboo grove is beloved for its distinct rustling sound, so much that Japan's Ministry of Environment included the Sagano Bamboo Forest on its list of "100 Soundscapes of Japan." The towering green stalks creak eerily while leaves rustle in the sway of the wind.

Otaru Snow Light Path Festival (Hokkaido): Hundreds of buoyed candles float in Otaru Canal every February in Otaru, during the Snow Light Path Festival. For 10 days, lanterns and snow statues for 10 days adorn the Hokkaido city. Lined with restored warehouses and gas lamps, Unga Kaijo -- the area around the canal -- is the prime spot to enjoy the festival.

Usa Shrine (Oita): Originally built in the 8th century, Usa Shine is the most important of thousands of shrines dedicated to Hachiman, the god of archery and war. After getting a fortune paper (omikuji) -- hopefully a daikichi (exceptionally lucky) one, visitors can enjoy a local specialty called negiyaki, or green onion pancake, in the shrine area.

Mt. Daisen (Tottori): Mount Daisen looks vastly different depending on which side of the mountain its viewed from. The 1,709-meter-tall volcanic mountain has been regarded as sacred since the ancient Jomon and Yayoi eras. Because of its importance, climbing was strictly prohibited until the Edo period about 200 years ago.

Tottori-sakyu Sand Hills (Tottori): Yes, there's a desert on Japan's islands. The Tottori Sand Dunes span 16 kilometers long and 2 kilometers wide and are the only large sand hills in Japan. The dunes are a blend of sand and volcanic ash mixed over 100,000 years then shaped by winds from the Sea of Japan. Part of the San'in Kaigan Geopark, they can be experienced via camel rides, dune buggies and sandboarding.

Itsukushima Shrine (Hiroshima): Believed to be the boundary between the spirit and human worlds, the Otorii's vermilion color is said to keep evil spirits away. It's possible to walk to it on the sand bar during low tide and enjoy the view of Mount Misen behind the gate. At high tide, the 16-meter-high Torii appears to float on the water.

Lavender farm (Hokkaido): Farm Tomita has three lavender fields: Lavender East, Sakiwai Field and the Traditional Lavender Garden. Sakiwai Field, meaning "happiness field," has four types of lavender growing in rows, creating a gradient of purple with the rainbow colors of Autumn Field, Spring Field and Hanabito Field as background. Still not enough lavender? Try the farm's lavender ice cream.

Lake Toya (Hokkaido): Even in winters that plummet well below freezing point, Lake Toya never ices over. The near-circular lake is the remains of a volcanic eruption that hollowed out the ground. Mount Usu lies on the southern rim of the lake and Nakajima Island sits at the center.

Saimyoji Temple (Shiga): Located in the Suzuka mountain range, Saimyoji Temple is one of a trio of ancient Tendai Buddism temples in eastern Shiga, also known as "Koto Sanzan." The temple is renowned for the beautiful red and orange leaves that surround it in the fall and long blooming cherry trees.

Gokayama (Toyama): Gokayama is one of the greatest towns for architecture buffs in the world. The oldest traditional gassho style house in Ainokura is said to be about 400 years old. Part of the UNESCO-designated area of Gokyama, the village preserves an architectural design that dates back hundreds of years. The steep triangular thatched roofs were built without the use of nails and are designed to prevent snow buildup.

Lake Kussharo (Hokkaido): Some 300 whooper swans migrate to Lake Kussharo every winter. Geothermal springs prevent ice from forming along its sandy shores despite most of the water surface freezing. Reported sightings of a lake monster, dubbed Kusshii by the media, since 1973 earned Kussharo a reputation as Japan's Loch Ness.

Ini Tanada (Hiroshima): Ini has more than 320 terraced rice paddies. The oldest stone terrace dates back about 500 years.
Using only pure natural water from mountain valleys, Ini Tanada's rice is particularly favored for its rich fragrance and taste. The town regularly holds a rice planting event on its terraces to pass on traditional farming methods.

Himeji Castle (Hyogo): Frequently called the "White Egret" or "White Heron" castle because of its white exterior and resemblance to a bird taking flight, Himeji is made up of 83 buildings. The 17th century castle is equipped with heavy defense systems. It featured extensively in Hollywood and Japanese films, making a prominent appearance in the James Bond movie "You Only Live Twice."

Jigokudani Monkey Park (Nagano): The steaming springs set in a snowy mountain may be scenic, but travelers come here to see something else -- the hot spring monkeys. Some 200 Japanese macaque monkeys live in Jigokudani -- which translates to "hell valley" -- where the rough cliffs and onsens are covered in snow for a third of the year. The monkeys bathe at the main onsen of the park in winter without a care for observers.
Anyone jealous of the monkey's lazy ways can head over to Korakukan Ryokan for their own thermal soak.

Hakuba village (Nagano): Revered as a ski resort town in the northern Japanese Alps, Hakuba is equally appealing during the summer. The hike up to Happo Pond is among the most scenic trails in the country.

Adachi Museum of Art (Shimane): The Adachi gardens, a part of Adachi Museum of Art, are said to be a "living Japanese painting" and one of the most beautiful gardens in Japan. Adachi Zenko founded the museum in 1980 to combine his passion for Japanese art and gardening.

Sotomo Arch (Fukui): One of the most scenic spots in the bay of Wakasa, the Big Gate and Little Gate of the Sotomo Arch were holes on rock carved by the rough waves of the Sea of Japan. With some careful maneuvering, it's possible to climb into the Little Gate. An excursion ship, which departs from the Wakasa Fishermen's Wharf, offers rides to view the rock formation.

Fuji Shibazakura Festival, (Yamanashi): With Mount Fuji in the background, some 800,000 stalks of shibazakura or "moss phlox" cover 2.4 hectares of land in a carpet of pink, white and purple. Thousands travel to the Fuji Five Lakes area for the festival celebrating the flower's first bloom.

Senganen Garden (Kagoshima): The Japanese style landscape garden features small ponds, streams, shrines and a bamboo grove. Set along the coast north of downtown Kagoshima, visitors can look out at Sakurajima volcano and Kagoshima Bay. The garden dates back to 1658, during Japan's Edo period.

Golden Pavilion (Kyoto): Covered in gold leaf, Kinkaku-ji, or the Golden Pavilion, is arguably Kyoto's most famed attraction.

Jodogahama Beach (Iwate): It's easy to see why this stunning Iwate prefecture beach was named "Jodogahama," or Pure Land. Located in Rikuchu Kaigan National Park, it's one of Japan's nationally designated places of scenic beauty.

Kumano Kodo (Wakayama): Kumano Kodo, as seen here from the famous Hyakken-gura viewpoint, is a network of seven pilgrimage routes. It's one of only two UNESCO-listed pilgrimages in the world. Find out how to tackle Kumano Kodo here.

Mototaki Waterfall (Akita): This pretty waterfall, fed by year-round snow on Mount Chokai, remains chilly even during the warmer seasons. It's in Akita prefecture in Japan's Tohoku region.

Mount Fuji: One of Japan's three sacred mountains and one of its most recognizable natural attractions, Mount Fuji is a popular hiking destination for pilgrims and travelers. Its seemingly symmetrical shape is an icon that has appeared on many postcards and artworks in Japan.

Tokyo: Tokyo's cityscape -- a mix of historic temples, skyscrapers and the iconic Tokyo Tower -- is a sight Japan lovers never tire of. The open-air Sky Deck of Roppongi Hills is one of the best places to snap an Instagram-perfect shot like this one.

Japan's 36 most beautiful places

Prev Next

Chris Dwyer is a Hong Kong-based food and travel writer and communications consultant. Follow him on Twitter at @chrismdwyer or visit www.finefooddude.com.