When thinking of Japan, many people probably think of vibrant cherry blossoms blooming against a clear blue sky.

The variety of cherry blossom commonly known as "Japanese cherry blossom" is "Somei Yoshino," which reaches its best viewing period in the Kanto region around the end of March.

It only takes about 10 days from when the flowers bloom to when they are in full bloom until they fall, but if you're visiting Japan in the spring, be sure to check out the best cherry blossom viewing spots and enjoy Japan's cherry blossom viewing.

Cherry blossom forecast for 2025

In 2024, temperatures continued to remain low even into March, and the cherry blossoms in Tokyo did not bloom until March 29th, reaching full bloom on April 4th.

The blossoms began blooming on March 29th, four days later than usual and 15 days later than in 2022.

If temperatures remain as normal as usual, you should be able to enjoy cherry blossom viewing if you plan your stay in Japan in late March.

In Kyushu, Chugoku, Shikoku, Kansai, and Kanto regions, the cherry blossoms bloom around the same time as in Tokyo, so we recommend visiting Japan in late March.

In Hokkaido, cherry blossoms tend to bloom two to three weeks later than in Tokyo.

What are the recommended cherry blossom viewing spots for 2025?

If you want to enjoy cherry blossom viewing, we recommend parks and tourist spots where many Somei-Yoshino cherry trees are planted.

In particularly large parks, Sakura Festivals are held to coincide with the cherry blossoms' blooming, allowing you to enjoy the beauty of the blossoms while savoring some delicious snacks and alcohol.

Ueno Park (Tokyo)

Among the many cherry blossom viewing spots in Japan, the most popular is Ueno Park.

Ueno Park is the oldest park in Japan, and in spring, 800 cherry trees bloom in profusion across its 530,000 square meter grounds.

In addition to spring, the lotus flowers in summer and the autumn leaves in autumn are beautiful tourist attractions, making it a popular spot with tourists from all over Japan, as well as tourists from overseas.

There are also many cultural facilities nearby, such as Ueno Zoo, Tokyo National Museum, and the National Museum of Nature and Science, so you'll never get bored even if you spend the whole day there.

Ueno Cherry Blossom Festival

The Ueno Cherry Blossom Festival is held at Ueno Park from mid-March to early April.

The event will be held from Saturday, March 16th to Sunday, April 7th in 2024, and from Friday, March 17th to Sunday, April 9th in 2023. During these periods, you can enjoy the beautifully lit up "night cherry blossoms" until around 8pm.

In particular, the cherry blossoms reflected on the surface of Shinobazu Pond in the park make for a spectacular photo opportunity, so it's a must-see.

Why not enjoy a night stroll among the cherry blossoms with some Japanese food and alcohol purchased from a food stall or convenience store?

Location of Ueno Park

Ueno Park/Ikenohata 3-chome, Taito-ku, Tokyo

Access to Ueno Park

Ueno Park is a 2-minute walk from Ueno Station, which is on the JR Yamanote Line, JR Keihin Tohoku Line, JR Takasaki Line, JR Utsunomiya Line, Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, and Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line.

If you take the Keisei Line rapid train from Narita Airport, you can get to Ueno Park from Keisei Ueno Station, which is just a one-minute walk away, in a 51-minute non-stop ride.

Edo Sakura Street (Tokyo)

Located in the heart of Tokyo, Edo Sakura Street is one of the most atmospheric streets lined with historic stone buildings. It is a popular cherry blossom viewing spot where approximately 80 Somei-Yoshino cherry trees bloom.

It is located in a corner of Nihonbashi where many long-established department stores line the streets, so it is easily accessible and always bustling with visitors.

Since there are office buildings in the surrounding area, it is expected to be crowded at lunchtime, so we recommend enjoying cherry blossom viewing while having breakfast or your morning coffee at a cafe along the street, or visiting at night when the area is lit up.

SAKURA FES NIHONBASHI

Like Ueno Park, Edo Sakura Street also holds festivals from mid-March to early April.

In addition to being able to sample gourmet food from long-established restaurants and the latest trendy foods in food stall format, many sweets and dishes inspired by cherry blossoms will be sold throughout Nihonbashi, so you can experience spring in Japan through your taste buds as well.

The cherry blossoms are lit up until around 11pm, so we recommend stopping by late after dinner.

Location of Edo Sakura Street

1-5 Nihonbashi Honcho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo

Access to Edo Sakura Street

Edo Sakura Street is easily accessible, just a two-minute walk from the Yaesu North Exit of Tokyo Station.

If you take the limousine bus from Haneda Airport to Tokyo Station, it takes about 45 minutes, and if you take the limousine bus from Narita Airport to Tokyo Station, it takes about 70 minutes.

Hirano Shrine (Kyoto Prefecture)

If you want to enjoy cherry blossom viewing in the Kansai region, we recommend Hirano Shrine in Kyoto.

Hirano Shrine is home to 400 cherry trees of about 60 varieties. The early-blooming varieties begin to flower from mid-March, and the late-blooming varieties from late April. This means that the cherry blossoms can be seen for about a month, making it one of the best cherry blossom viewing spots in the Kansai region.

The night cherry blossoms, known throughout Japan as "Hirano no Yozakura" since the Edo period, are lit up from sunset until around 9 p.m.

Cherry Blossom Festival

Every year on April 10th, a Shinto ritual called the "Sakura Festival" is held.

The origins of the Cherry Blossom Festival date back 1,000 years, and the highlight is the period procession of 200 people dressed in traditional kimonos that parades through the surrounding area.

Location of Hirano Shrine

1 Hiranomiya Honmachi, Kita Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture

Access to Hirano Shrine

To access Hirano Shrine, it is convenient to take a city bus from Kyoto Station (no. 205 or 50) for about 30 minutes, get off at "Kinugasa School Mae" and walk for about 3 minutes.

It takes around 90 minutes to get to Kyoto Station from Kansai International Airport by express bus.

Gōura Park (Aomori Prefecture)

In Aomori Prefecture, the northernmost prefecture of Honshu, cherry blossoms begin to bloom around mid-April.

If your visit to Japan will take place in the latter half of April, we recommend cherry blossom viewing in the Tohoku region, including Aomori Prefecture, or in Hokkaido.

In particular, at Gachiura Park in Aomori Prefecture, about 600 cherry trees, including somei-yoshino, weeping cherry, and Satozakura, bloom in abundance throughout the park.

The sight of the cherry blossoms completely covering the promenade looks like a cherry blossom tunnel, making it a great photo spot.

Aomori Spring Festival

The Aomori Spring Festival is held at Gappo Park from mid to late April.

Many events are held here, and outdoor stalls are set up. From 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., traditional Japanese lanterns called "bonbori" are lit, creating a fantastic atmosphere for enjoying the cherry blossoms at night.

Location of Goho Park

Aomori Prefecture, Aomori City, Goura 2-17-50

Access to Gappo Park

Aomori Prefecture, where Gourai Park is located, can be accessed from Tokyo Station by Shinkansen or night bus. The Shinkansen takes about three hours, while the night bus takes about ten hours.

summary

It is no exaggeration to say that the whole of Japan turns pink during cherry blossom viewing season.
If you want to experience the beauty of cherry blossoms, which the Japanese love so much, your best chance to visit Japan is from mid-March to April. However, as the weather has been warmer across the country lately, we recommend that you plan your trip while checking the Japanese weather forecast for detailed flowering predictions.

Please come and enjoy cherry blossom viewing in Japan while looking at the cherry blossoms in full bloom.