Spring in Japan
See Cherry Blossom in Japan is one of the most incredible experiences for all kinds of photographers. But when to travel to Japan in spring for cherry blossoms? Since the moment you decided to make a Sakura photo tour, you will want to photograph in full bloom. But according to the area you are thinking to visit you will need to know the forecast.
Here is our complete free guide region by region to enjoy the sakura 2021. Enjoy the pink colors of the cherry blossom and contact us if you have any doubt. Our guides will glad to help you.
If you think you can see cherry blossoms anytime during the Japanese spring, you are a little wrong. The full bloom is very limited to a few weeks, and as in autumn, each area will have different data. Even if you think March & April are the best months to see, you are again a little wrong. In some cold areas like Hokkaido, the best month usually it’s in May.
Cherry blossom in Japanese culture
Before think about our photo tour, its good to know about the history of Sakura or Hanami. Blossom viewing became popular since the Nara period (710-794) when it helps farmers to know it was time to plant their rice crops. It was during the Heian period (794-1185) when the emperor Saga started throwing picnics and flower-viewing parties.
Since that moment, it became a popular event for all Japanese to go out to enjoy the full bloom outside with friends & family. It’s typical, as the maple leaf, to find references about the Sakura or Hanami in all kinds of Japanese cultural representations. You can find kimonos, dishes, or folding screens among others.
Also in Japanese gastronomy, where you can find a large variety of desserts and dishes to enjoy the Sakura in Japan not only with your eyes. From cookies to rice balls or also drinks. Hanami food deserves another article or at least a full page to talk about it.
What month is cherry blossom in Japan?
To witness the sakura in Japan, the best moment to see cherry blossom goes from early February to late May, according to the region.
It’s difficult to accurately predict the best time to see cherry blossoms since it depends on weather conditions around the spring of the year. But you can prepare a tour according to two ideas: weather and latitude.
In the south of Japan, it usually starts in the middle of March, and in the North, it starts at the start of May. The Japan Golden Route will have the full bloom between the middle of March and the middle of April.
Okinawa, the southernmost prefecture of Japan is famous for the earliest Hanami season. It can start in the middle of January and finish in the middle of February.
Opposite, in Hokkaido & Tohoku you will enjoy the last tree pinky colors of Japan. As a tourist destination, we highly recommend visiting these areas as are more unknown. Thanks to this, you will have a real Japanese experience far from tourists.
However, you also must consider the weather in certain areas. For example, the 5 lakes of Fuji, will have his full bloom later than Tokyo city. Even if these two points are close to each other, the weather and conditions can be different. So it will be a good idea to think about this point before you plan your travel.
How long does the full bloom of flowers last?
Since the first bloom, the full bloom usually takes around 10 days. So if you are looking for the perfect sakura in Japan you must check the forecast for the full bloom.
The cherry blossom usually lasts between 5-10 days after reaching the full bloom. This depends on weather conditions, so if it’s rainy or windy it can only the last 5 days. If the weather is cold and no windy, it may last more than 10 days.
Where to see Cherry Blossom in Japan
Any place in Japan it’s a perfect place to enjoy the Sakura. If you can visit Japan just in certain weeks we recommend you to see the table & images belong to choose your itinerary. Anyway, you will enjoy the cherry blossom from the mountains to the main cities, passing from the countrysides all around the country.
Choose the best places in Japan to see cherry blossom is a really difficult task. The full country is plenty of big and small places where you can really live a unique experience.
The country during the peak of the blooming seasons is full of festivals. People go out for a picnic at any place around the country. As during autumn, Japan doesn’t have a place where you not will enjoy it.
Here is our list of 10 best places to see cherry blossom in Japan during 2021 from South to North! But before you will find a list of some important Sakura Festivals in some of this best spots.
Hanami Festivals
During this period you can visit thousand of sakura festivals all around the country.
Here is our list of the best Hanami cherry blossom festivals all around Japan:
- The Chiyoda Cherry Blossom (Sakura) Festival celebrates every year between late March and early April.
- Naha Sakura Festival is celebrated in Okinawa in the middle of February.
- One of the best festivals all around Japan is the Himeji Castle Sakura Festival. Usually ends in the second week of April.
- In Tokyo, don’t miss the Ueno Cherry Blossom Festival. You can expect crowds, but it’s worth a picnic there.
- Okayama is famous for the Tsuyama Sakura Matsuri (Festival) around the Tsuyama Castle.
- If you visit Hokkaido in Spring, don’t miss the Matsumae Sakura festival.
Best places in Japan to see cherry blossom
Nakameguro, Tokyo
Nakameguro is considered one of the best neighborhoods of Tokyo to enjoy the sakura in Japan. The canal that crosses the district, is covered during this season by a line of more than 800 cherry trees. During Nakameguro Sakura Festival at night, are illuminated creating a magical atmosphere. Your visit to Tokyo not will be completed if you don’t visit this canal during the evening!
- Estimated best viewing: The festival is planned from March 23rd to April 10th
- How to get there: Get off at Nakameguro Station on the Toyoko Line and Hibiya Line. The area is also a short walk from Daikanyama Station.
Shinjuku Gyoen, Tokyo
We could say that this park is a must-visit during your spring travel to Tokyo for several reasons. First, have a thousand of cherry trees in the middle of Tokyo. Second, it’s a perfect place both to go late or early during the blooming season. Third, is located only ten-minute walking from Shinjuku Station, one of the main train stations in Tokyo.
- Estimated best viewing: Mid March to early April
- How to get there: The park is just 10 minutes’ walk from Shinjuku Station.
Chureito Pagoda, Fuji Five Lakes
Probably the most famous location for photographers all around the world in Japan. Chureito Pagoda offers the perfect view during the Sakura in Japan with Mt Fuji in the background. Anyway, tripods are not allowed to use for no logical reason… But there is always a way to avoid this problem. It’s better to visit during the morning, as probably during sunset the place will be full of tourists. So it not will be so easy to get the photo you are looking for during the day.
- Estimated best viewing: From late March to mid April
- How to get there: Chureito Pagoda is 20 minutes’ walk from Shimo-Yoshida Station.
- Best hotels around Chureito Pagoda
Philosopher’s Path, Kyoto
This 2-kilometer path is one of the most beautiful spots in Kyoto. During all the way following the canal, you will be cover by hundreds of cherry trees in the middle of Kyoto. The Philosopher’s Path became famous thanks to Nishida Kitaro, a Japanese philosopher, that used to walk and practice meditation in this path.
- Estimated best viewing: Late March to mid April
- How to get there: Get off at Miyanomaecho subway station. It takes around 30 minutes to walk around.
Expo 70 Commemorative Park, Osaka
More than 5,000 cherry trees fill the park, doing this spot one of the most populate all around Japan. Constructed for the 1970 World Exhibition and located in the north of Osaka. Here you will enjoy the architecture of the Exhibition to Japanese gardens.
- Estimated best viewing: Late March to mid April
- How to get there: Take the Osaka Monorail to Banpaku Kinen Koen Station.
- Best hotels in Osaka
Kumamoto Castle, Kumamoto
Located in Kumamoto city is one of the three best castles in Japan. Like other castles in Japan, its surrounded by hundreds of cherry trees. During the full bloom create an impressive contrast with the black exterior. It was built around 400 years ago, and the grand figure of the castle’s black exterior is truly impressive.
- Estimated best viewing: Late March to early April
- How to get there: From JR Kumamoto Station, get off at Kumamotojo-mae tram stop. From Kumamoto Station to the castle is about 30 minutes walking.
- Best hotels in Kumamoto
Mount Yoshino (Nara)
Mount Yoshino is the historical place to view the cherry blossom. The first cherry trees were planted over 1300 years ago, and now you will find over 30,000 in the area. The shrines, temples, and parks in Mount Yoshino help this place to create a picturesque view. You can’t miss on your trip to Japan during spring.
- Estimated best viewing: Late March to early May
- How to get there: Take a shuttle bus to visit the area, they run between Yoshino Station and the Naka Senbon area.
- Best hotels in Nara
Matsugasaki Park, Yamagata
Matsugasaki Park, located in Yonezawa, Yamagata prefecture, is a park built on the former site of Yonezawa Castle. 200 sakura trees surrounding the moat bloom in spring, attracting many visitors. The reflection of the cherry blossoms on the moat surface, and the petals floating on it, is truly a sight to behold.
- Estimated best viewing: From mid- to late April.
- How to get there: Get off at JR Yonezawa Station, from here is only 10 minutes walking.
- Best hotels in Yamagata
Mifuneyama Rakuen Park, Saga
Here you not will also enjoy the sakura trees illuminated in the nighttime, also you will find over 20,000 azaleas. The Mifuneyama Rakuen (The Paradise of Mt. Mifune), located in Takeo, is one of the best places in Japan to see cherry blossom. Here you can also enjoy all seasonal changes in the scenery. If you are looking to capture dreamy photos, you must visit this incredible park.
- Estimated best viewing: Around late March to early April
- How to get there: You can take a bus at Takeo-Onsen Station on the JR Sasebo Line. Get off at Mifuneyama Rakuen stop, and walk for a minute. Or you can just take a 5 minutes taxi from the station.
- Best hotels in Saga
Hikone Castle, Hikone
Another castle to finish our list… Parks are great spots to enjoy the sakura in Japan, but castles will give you the perfect photo to capture the essence of this phenomenon. Located close to Kyoto and Nagano, is a must-visit if you arrive in the early April to Japan.
- Estimated best viewing: Late March to early April
- How to get there: The castle is located just 10 minutes walking from the train station.
- Best hotels in Hikone
As we say at the start of the post, there is no wrong place in Japan to enjoy the sakura. This list represents a great spots for photographers. But if you are going to visit a certain area, you will find hundreds of beauty spots.
We wanted to make a shortlist we couldn’t include other places. Here could be locations as Himeji, Osaka, Matsumoto, Takato, or parks as Nishiyama, Takada, or Suzuka as an example. Without mention all places in Tokyo & Kyoto that during the cherry blossom look amazing.
Check out our map with our 10 best places in Japan to enjoy the Hanami. Also, you can find some of these other spots which we didn’t include in this list.
Sakura forecast 2021 to See Cherry Blossom in Japan by region
Using the last cherry blossom forecast, you can check the estimates data based on average best viewing times from previous years. Therefore, it can help you to prepare your photo tour, as it helps to prepare our Japan Photo Tour
This year the sakura in Japan generally was earlier than usual. Here is the difference with previous years:
| Region | point | Expected flowering date | Normal difference (Day) | Last year (Day) | Expected full bloom date | Normal difference (Day) | Last year (Day) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Osaka Prefecture | Osaka city | 03/23 | -5 | -4 | 04/03 | -2 | -1 |
| Kyoto | Kyoto | 03/22 | -6 | -5 | 03/30 | -6 | -7 |
| Nara Prefecture | Nara city | 03/26 | -3 | -3 | 04/03 | -2 | -2 |
| Aichi Prefecture | Nagoya City | 03/22 | -4 | 0 | 04/01 | -2 | -3 |
| Nagano Prefecture | Matsumoto city | 03/28 | -13 | -10 | 04/09 | -6 | -7 |
| Tokyo | Chiyoda | 03/14 | -7 | -Four | 03/22 | -12 | -5 |
| Yamanashi Prefecture | Kofu City | 03/22 | -5 | -5 | 04/02 | -1 | -5 |
| Aomori Prefecture | Aomori | 04/12 | -12 | -6 | 04/17 | -12 | -5 |
| Yamagata Prefecture | Yamagata | 04/03 | -12 | -9 | 04/09 | -Ten | -8 |
| Fukuoka Prefecture | Fukuoka city | 03/21 | -2 | 0 | 04/02 | -1 | 4 |
| Doo | Sapporo | 04/22 | -11 | -2 | 04/25 | -12 | -4 |
| Wakayama Prefecture | Wakayama City | 03/22 | -4 | -3 | 03/31 | -4 | -1 |
| Kagoshima Prefecture | Kagoshima city | 04/01 | +6 | +7 | 04/07 | +3 | +2 |
When is the cherry blossom season in Japan 2021?
You can check here the Sakura Forecast 2021 by Cherry Blossom viewing dates update:
| Hokkaido | Forecast of first bloom | Forecast of full bloom |
|---|---|---|
| Sapporo (Hokkaido) | 25-Apr 2020 | 28-Apr 2020 |
| Muroran (Hokkaido) | 29-Apr 2020 | 4-May 2020 |
| Hakodate (Hokkaido) | 23-Apr 2020 | 27-Apr 2020 |
| Tohoku | Forecast of first bloom | Forecast of full bloom |
| Aomori (Aomori) | 17-Apr 2020 | 21-Apr 2020 |
| Akita (Akita ) | 8-Apr 2020 | 15-Apr 2020 |
| Morioka (Iwate) | 14-Apr 2020 | 20-Apr 2020 |
| Yamagata (Yamagata ) | 3-Apr 2020 | 9-Apr 2020 |
| Sendai (Miyagi) | 28-Mar 2020 | 3-Apr 2020 |
| Fukushima (Fukushima ) | 28-Mar 2020 | 1-Apr 2020 |
| Kanto | Forecast of first bloom | Forecast of full bloom |
| Tokyo (Tokyo) | 14-Mar 2020 | 22-Mar 2020 |
| Choshi (Chiba) | 27-Mar 2020 | 3-Apr 2020 |
| Yokohama (Kanagawa) | 18-Mar 2020 | 28-Mar 2020 |
| Mito (Ibaraki) | 21-Mar 2020 | 31-Mar 2020 |
| Utsunomiya (Tochigi) | 21-Mar 2020 | 2-Apr 2020 |
| Maebashi (Gunma) | 19-Mar 2020 | 26-Mar 2020 |
| Kumagaya (Saitama) | 18-Mar 2020 | 25-Mar 2020 |
| Nagano (Nagano ) | 2-Apr 2020 | 8-Apr 2020 |
| Chubu | Forecast of first bloom | Forecast of full bloom |
| Kofu (Yamanashi) | 22-Mar 2020 | 2-Apr 2020 |
| Niigata (Niigata) | 1-Apr 2020 | 7-Apr 2020 |
| Toyama (Toyama ) | 27-Mar 2020 | 3-Apr 2020 |
| Kanazawa (Ishikawa) | 26-Mar 2020 | 1-Apr 2020 |
| Fukui (Fukui ) | 25-Mar 2020 | 31-Mar 2020 |
| Nagoya (Aichi) | 22-Mar 2020 | 1-Apr 2020 |
| Shizuoka (Shizuoka) | 27-Mar 2020 | 5-Apr 2020 |
| Gifu (Gifu ) | 21-Mar 2020 | 1-Apr 2020 |
| Kansai | Forecast of first bloom | Forecast of full bloom |
| Tsu (Mie) | 25-Mar 2020 | 31-Mar 2020 |
| Osaka (Osaka) | 23-Mar 2020 | 3-Apr 2020 |
| Hikone (Shiga) | 27-Mar 2020 | 5-Apr 2020 |
| Kyoto (Kyoto) | 22-Mar 2020 | 30-Mar 2020 |
| Kobe (Hyogo) | 26-Mar 2020 | 4-Apr 2020 |
| Nara (Nara ) | 26-Mar 2020 | 4-Apr 2020 |
| Wakayama (Wakayama ) | 22-Mar 2020 | 31-Mar 2020 |
| Chugoku | Forecast of first bloom | Forecast of full bloom |
| Hiroshima (Hiroshima) | 22-Mar 2020 | 2-Apr 2020 |
| Okayama (Okayama ) | 24-Mar 2020 | 31-Mar 2020 |
| Matsue (Shimane) | 23-Mar 2020 | 30-Mar 2020 |
| Tottori (Tottori ) | 23-Mar 2020 | 31-Mar 2020 |
| Shimonoseki (Yamaguchi) | 24-Mar 2020 | 4-Apr 2020 |
| Shikoku | Forecast of first bloom | Forecast of full bloom |
| Takamatsu (Kagawa) | 23-Mar 2020 | 4-Apr 2020 |
| Tokushima (Tokushima ) | 27-Mar 2020 | 7-Apr 2020 |
| Matsuyama (Ehime) | 25-Mar 2020 | 6-Apr 2020 |
| Kochi (Kochi ) | 24-Mar 2020 | 2-Apr 2020 |
| Kyushu | Forecast of first bloom | Forecast of full bloom |
| Fukuoka (Fukuoka) | 21-Mar 2020 | 2-Apr 2020 |
| Oita (Oita ) | 25-Mar 2020 | 4-Apr 2020 |
| Nagasaki (Nagasaki) | 24-Mar 2020 | 4-Apr 2020 |
| Saga (Saga ) | 23-Mar 2020 | 2-Apr 2020 |
| Kumamoto (Kumamoto ) | 23-Mar 2020 | 3-Apr 2020 |
| Miyazaki (Miyazaki ) | 25-Mar 2020 | 4-Apr 2020 |
| Kagoshima (Kagoshima) | 1-Apr 2020 | 7-Apr 2020 |
| Okinawa | Forecast of first bloom | Forecast of full bloom |
| Naha (Okinawa) | 6-Jan 2020 | 3-Feb 2020 |
Check this report often for further updates to the Sakura 2021 forecast.
2021 forecast can have different dates. So you can get an idea of the Sakura days with the past 10 years data in the main cities:
HISTORICAL SAKURA IN TOKYO
| Year | Date of first bloom | Date of full bloom |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 21-Mar | 27-Mar |
| 2018 | 17-Mar | 24-Mar |
| 2017 | 21-Mar | 2-Apr |
| 2016 | 21-Mar | 31-Mar |
| 2015 | 23-Mar | 29-Mar |
| 2014 | 25-Mar | 30-Mar |
| 2013 | 16-Mar | 22-Mar |
| 2012 | 31-Mar | 6-Apr |
| 2011 | 28-Mar | 6-Apr |
| 2010 | 22-Mar | 1-Apr |
HISTORICAL SAKURA IN KYOTO
| Year | Date of first bloom | Date of full bloom |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 27-Mar | 6-Apr |
| 2018 | 22-Mar | 28-Mar |
| 2017 | 31-Mar | 7-Apr |
| 2016 | 23-Mar | 2-Apr |
| 2015 | 27-Mar | 1-Apr |
| 2014 | 27-Mar | 2-Apr |
| 2013 | 22-Mar | 30-Mar |
| 2012 | 3-Apr | 9-Apr |
| 2011 | 28-Mar | 7-Apr |
| 2010 | 19-Mar | 1-Apr |
HISTORICAL SAKURA IN OSAKA
| Year | Date of first bloom | Date of full bloom |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 27-Mar | 4-Apr |
| 2018 | 20-Mar | 26-Mar |
| 2017 | 30-Mar | 6-Apr |
| 2016 | 23-Mar | 1-Apr |
| 2015 | 26-Mar | 1-Apr |
| 2014 | 27-Mar | 2-Apr |
| 2013 | 21-Mar | 29-Mar |
| 2012 | 2-Apr | 9-Apr |
| 2011 | 31-Mar | 7-Apr |
| 2010 | 21-Mar | 4-Apr |
HISTORICAL SAKURA IN KAGOSHIMA
| Year | Date of first bloom | Date of full bloom |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 25-Mar | 9-Apr |
| 2018 | 17-Mar | 29-Mar |
| 2017 | 5-Apr | 15-Apr |
| 2016 | 27-Mar | 6-Apr |
| 2015 | 21-Mar | 31-Mar |
| 2014 | 20-Mar | 31-Mar |
| 2013 | 15-Mar | 26-Mar |
| 2012 | 26-Mar | 5-Apr |
| 2011 | 23-Mar | 5-Apr |
| 2010 | 23-Mar | 6-Apr |
HISTORICAL SAKURA IN NAGOYA
| Year | Date of first bloom | Date of full bloom |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 22-Mar | 4-Apr |
| 2018 | 19-Mar | 27-Mar |
| 2017 | 28-Mar | 6-Apr |
| 2016 | 19-Mar | 31-Mar |
| 2015 | 21-Mar | 30-Mar |
| 2014 | 24-Mar | 31-Mar |
| 2013 | 19-Mar | 28-Mar |
| 2012 | 30-Mar | 6-Apr |
| 2011 | 27-Mar | 6-Apr |
| 2010 | 18-Mar | 2-Apr |
HISTORICAL SAKURA IN SAPPORO
| Year | Date of first bloom | Date of full bloom |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 24-Apr | 29-Apr |
| 2018 | 26-Apr | 29-Apr |
| 2017 | 28-Apr | 3-May |
| 2016 | 25-Apr | 1-May |
| 2015 | 22-Apr | 26-Apr |
| 2014 | 29-Apr | 1-May |
| 2013 | 13-May | 17-May |
| 2012 | 1-May | 4-May |
| 2011 | 7-May | 12-May |
| 2010 | 7-May | 14-May |
HISTORICAL SAKURA IN SENDAI
| Year | Date of first bloom | Date of full bloom |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 5-Apr | 10-Apr |
| 2018 | 30-Mar | 4-Apr |
| 2017 | 7-Apr | 13-Apr |
| 2016 | 1-Apr | 6-Apr |
| 2015 | 3-Apr | 9-Apr |
| 2014 | 7-Apr | 11-Apr |
| 2013 | 9-Apr | 15-Apr |
| 2012 | 18-Apr | 23-Apr |
| 2011 | 12-Apr | 15-Apr |
| 2010 | 13-Apr | 21-Apr |
We hope this post helps you to prepare your travel to see the cherry blossom in Japan. Likewise, if you want to join us during our Cherry Blossom photo tour, we will help you to capture the best photos. You will be able to visit & photograph places as Mount Fuji, Matsumoto, Kyoto, Koyasan & Tokyo. Come with us during the best weeks to photograph the sakura in Japan.
