Hi, sakura lovers! I'm Bethy, and after experiencing Japan's magical cherry blossom seasons for the past five years, I'm super excited to share my insider guide for the upcoming season. Trust me, there's nothing quite like witnessing thousands of pink petals dancing in the spring breeze!
🔥2025 Japanese Cherry Blossom Forecast Just Released!
I've just checked the latest Japan Meteorological Corporation (JMC) forecast, and I'm thrilled to share the dates with you! Here's when you can catch these gorgeous blooms:
Due to this year's unique climate patterns, the 2025 cherry blossom season is showing some interesting timing shifts! Most regions are expecting slightly later blooming dates, with main blooming periods concentrated in late March. What's super interesting (and important for your planning!) is how the blooming schedule varies across different regions:
- Earliest Blooms: Okinawa kicks off the season in early February
- Main Season: Major cities like Tokyo and Kyoto in late March
- Latest Blooms: Sapporo, Hokkaido won't see blossoms until May 1st
To avoid missing the blooms, make sure to carefully check the official forecast for your specific destination cities. Each region has its own unique timing, and you'll want to plan accordingly!
When is Japan Cherry Blossom Season & Dates 2025🌸
I always tell my followers: the key to a successful sakura chase is flexibility and good timing. Consider building your itinerary from south to north if you want to catch multiple blooming periods - it's totally possible to follow the cherry blossom front (sakura zensen) as it moves up through Japan!
Keep an eye on those "Full Bloom Date" columns - that's your sweet spot for perfect cherry blossom views, typically lasting 7-10 days after first bloom.
| Region | Prefecture | Popular Viewing Spot(s) | Blooming Date (Estimated) | Full Bloom Date (Estimated) |
| Okinawa | Okinawa | Yae-take Cherry Forest | January 30 | February 7 |
| Kanto | Tokyo | Ueno Park, Shinjuku Gyoen | March 25 | April 1 |
| Kanagawa | Kamakura (Tsurugaoka) | March 26 | April 3 | |
| Chiba | Chiba Park | March 25 | April 2 | |
| Chubu | Aichi | Nagoya Castle | March 27 | April 5 |
| Kansai | Kyoto | Maruyama Park | March 30 | April 7 |
| Osaka | Osaka Castle Park | March 30 | April 6 | |
| Nara | Nara Park | March 31 | April 7 | |
| Shikoku | Kagawa | Ritsurin Garden | March 29 | April 6 |
| Ehime | Matsuyama Castle | March 28 | April 5 | |
| Kyushu | Fukuoka | Maizuru Park | March 26 | April 4 |
| Kumamoto | Kumamoto Castle | March 27 | April 5 | |
| Chugoku | Hiroshima | Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park | March 29 | April 6 |
| Tohoku | Fukushima | Hanamiyama Park | April 8 | April 14 |
| Aomori | Hirosaki Park | April 20 | April 24 | |
| Sendai | Rikkyoji Temple, Nishi Park | April 7 | April 12 | |
| Hokkaido | Hokkaido | Maruyama Park, Goryokaku Park | April 28 | May 2 |
Pro Tip: I always recommend planning your trip to arrive 2-3 days before full bloom prediction. This strategy hasn't failed me yet!
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How Long is Cherry Blossom Season in Japan?
The amazing thing about cherry blossoms in Japan is that they actually bloom over a three-month period across the country - you just need to know where to go!
The season starts in Okinawa in late January, then moves like a pink wave across Japan from south to north. By February, you'll find early blooms in Shizuoka (the famous Kawazu cherries), followed by the main season in central Japan from late March to early April. This is when you'll see Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka in full bloom!
Here's the important part: at each location, the blossoms only last about 7-10 days, with peak bloom (mankai) lasting just 4-5 days. But don't worry if you miss the main season! The blooms continue north, reaching Tohoku in late April and finally Hokkaido in early May.
I've included my favorite viewing spots for each region, based on where I've actually gotten my best sakura photos!
Kanto Cherry Blossom | Best Viewing Spots
Ueno Park, Tokyo Sakura
Ueno Park is literally cherry blossom heaven! With 1,200 cherry trees lining the paths, it's like walking through the prettiest pink clouds ever. I love coming here early morning (yes, I drag myself out of bed for this!) to grab a hot amazake and wander around while the park is still peaceful. You can hop on a swan boat at Shinobazu Pond for the dreamiest hanami experience - seeing the blossoms reflect on the water while floating around is pure magic!
And when evening hits, the whole park lights up for these incredible illuminations, plus there are food stalls everywhere serving the most amazing seasonal treats. Pro tip: the sakura mochi from the little stand near the main entrance is literally to die for!
Meguro River, Tokyo Sakura
Okay, picture this: 800 cherry trees creating this perfect tunnel of pink blossoms along a gorgeous river - that's Meguro River in spring! It's my go-to spot for those Instagram-worthy shots, especially when the petals fall and create these dreamy "flower rafts" on the water. The best part? All the local cafes set up these super cute outdoor seats, so you can sip your sakura latte while watching the petals dance in the breeze. Last year, I found this amazing little champagne stand that does sakura-infused bubbly - absolute game changer for your hanami picnic!
Yomiuland, Tokyo Sakura
Yomiuland is this amazing amusement park where you can view cherry blossoms in the most unique way possible - from rides! Imagine seeing pink blossoms while zooming past on a roller coaster, or getting a bird's eye view from the Sky Shuttle cable car. It's such a different experience from traditional hanami spots, and the photos are incredible!
Chiba Park, Chiba Sakura
While everyone crowds into Tokyo's famous spots, Chiba Park offers equally stunning views with way fewer people. The lake area is particularly beautiful - the cherry blossoms reflect perfectly in the water, creating these amazing photo opportunities.
What really makes this place special is the local community vibe. Last year, I was taking photos when a Japanese family invited me to join their hanami party - complete with homemade onigiri and seasonal sake!
Kanto Cherry Blossom | Best Viewing Spots
Arashiyama, Kyoto Sakura
Arashiyama literally takes my breath away every single spring! You can see the Togetsukyo Bridge framed by hundreds of pink cherry blossoms, with their petals dancing over the river... it's like something straight out of a fairy tale! I spent three whole days here last season and still didn't want to leave.
Pro tip: Take the Sagano Romantic Train (yes, that's actually its name!) through the mountains - the cherry blossom tunnel views are INSANE for photos. And please, please book a night at one of the riverside hotels. I treated myself to an onsen stay last year, and watching the illuminated cherry blossoms while soaking in a hot spring was literally the most magical moment of my life!
Nara Park, Nara Sakura
Okay, imagine this - you're walking under a canopy of pink cherry blossoms, and suddenly an adorable deer bows to you asking for treats! This is the actual reality at Nara Park, and I'm still not over how cute it is! With 1,700 cherry trees scattered throughout the park, it's basically cherry blossom heaven.
Last spring, I discovered this amazing spot near Mount Wakakusa where they have these special Nara Kokonoe cherry trees. I packed a little picnic and spent the whole afternoon there, making friends with the deer and taking about a million photos. Trust me, it's pure magic!
Sayamaike Park, Osaka Sakura
While everyone's fighting the crowds at Osaka Castle, I'm chilling at Sayamaike Park with the early-blooming cherry blossoms! This place is such a well-kept secret that I almost don't want to share it (but I love you guys too much not to!).
The park wraps around this super old reservoir (like, oldest-in-Japan old!), and when the cherry blossoms start blooming in mid-March, it's absolutely dreamy. Last year, I went to their evening illumination festival, and oh. my. The reflection of the lit-up cherry blossoms on the water had me speechless!
Kyushu Cherry Blossom | Best Viewing Spots
Maizuru Park, Fukuoka
You can see ancient castle ruins surrounded by the prettiest pink cherry blossoms right in downtown Fukuoka - it's like stepping into a Japanese fairy tale! The cherry blossom festival here is seriously next level - I spent hours last year just wandering around with festival food in hand (the yakitori here is to die for!), and when the sun sets? Pure magic! They light up all the trees, and it's honestly the most romantic thing ever. Pro tip: grab a spot near the castle ruins in the late afternoon - the way the sunset hits the blossoms is totally Instagram-worthy!
Suizenji Garden, Kumamoto
This 400-year-old garden is like something straight out of a postcard, especially during cherry blossom season! I visited during their spring festival last year, and seeing all the different cherry blossom varieties reflecting in those perfectly manicured ponds was just... wow. Plus, they have this super cute mini Mount Fuji that looks absolutely adorable framed by pink blossoms!
Shikoku Cherry Blossom | Best Viewing Spots
Kotohira-gu Shrine, Kagawa
Not gonna lie - those 1,368 steps had me questioning my life choices, but trust me, it's SO worth it! The cherry blossom tunnels along the stone steps are just magical, and I kept using photo stops as an excuse to catch my breath. The higher you climb, the better the views get! I packed a little picnic and had the most amazing hanami lunch with a view halfway up.
Matsuyama Castle, Ehime
This castle literally took my breath away (and not just because of the hill climb)! It's one of Japan's original castles, and during cherry blossom season, it's just... perfect. I timed my visit for golden hour last spring, and watching the sunset through the cherry blossoms while overlooking the Seto Inland Sea was one of those "wow, I can't believe this is real" moments.
Central Japan Cherry Blossom | Best Viewing Spots
Kawazu River, Shizuoka
Starting from early February, this 4km riverside transforms into the most incredible pink tunnel with 850 Kawazu cherry trees. These blossoms are special - they're bigger and deeper pink than regular sakura, making them perfect for photos! The Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival is amazing - I spent hours here last year wandering between food stalls (try the sakura dango!), and the evening illuminations are pure magic. Plus, you can soak in nearby hot springs while viewing the blossoms - how perfect is that?
Nagoya Castle, Aichi
One of Japan's three famous castles surrounded by 1,000 cherry trees! The mix of classic Somei Yoshino and weeping cherry trees around this majestic castle creates the most perfect hanami spot. Last spring, I caught the sunset during their cherry blossom festival, and watching the golden light hit the castle through pink blossoms was just... wow! Don't miss the evening illuminations - they light up both the castle and trees, creating this magical vibe!
Tohoku Cherry Blossom | Best Viewing Spots
Hirosaki Castle, Aomori
Known as the "Little Kyoto of the North," this Edo-period castle becomes a pink paradise in late April. I spent hours here last spring watching the petals reflect in the moat - pure magic! The cherry blossom festival here is next level, with nearly 3,000 trees in full bloom. But the real stars? Two massive 130-year-old cherry trees with the thickest trunks in Japan! Pro tip: rent a boat in the castle moat for the dreamiest hanami experience ever!
Hitome Senbonzakura, Miyagi
This spot literally means "1000 cherry trees at a glance" and does it deliver! You can see an 8km stretch of cherry trees along the Shiroishi River, with snow-capped Mt. Zao in the background and cute local trains passing by. The best views are from Funaoka Castle Park and the riverbank. If you're super lucky (like I was last year!), you might catch "yukizakura" - cherry blossoms with snow. It's rare but absolutely magical!
Cherry Blossom Festivals in Japan, How to Join?
What Are Cherry Blossom Festivals?
During Cherry Blossom Festival, I love sitting on a picnic mat under a canopy of pink cherry blossoms, sipping seasonal drinks, and snacking on delicious Japanese treats with friends (or friendly strangers!). That's hanami! It's basically the world's prettiest picnic party, and EVERYONE's invited! Last spring, I ended up joining a local family's hanami - they literally just waved me over, and next thing I knew, I was sharing their amazing homemade onigiri!
Best Festival Spots I've Found
Ueno Park in Tokyo is wild during festival season - in the best way! There are food stalls everywhere, lanterns strung through the trees, and this amazing buzzing energy. But my secret favorite? Maruyama Park in Kyoto. The massive weeping cherry tree lit up at night is just... magical. I spent three evenings there last year and it still wasn't enough!
Night Viewing (Yozakura)
Let me tell you about yozakura (night viewing) - it's like a totally different experience! The trees are all lit up from below, creating this dreamy pink wonderland. I actually teared up a bit when I first saw the illuminations at Chidorigafuchi in Tokyo. Pro tip: bring a tripod for photos, you're gonna want it!
How to Join In
Here's what you need for the perfect cherry blossom party:
- Picnic mat (grab one from a 100 yen shop - they have the cutest patterns!)
- Snacks and drinks (try ALL the seasonal sakura-flavored stuff!)
- Layers! (I learned the hard way that spring nights get chilly )
- Camera (trust me, you'll want to document everything!)