Best Time to See Cherry Blossoms in Japan

Japanese cherry blossoms typically start blooming in late January or early February in the southern part of Japan, across islands like Okinawa.

The season grows later along the northern areas of the country due to the weather in cities such as Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and more of the best places in Japan to see cherry blossoms. In these regions, the blossoms abound around early April, while the trees of Hokkaido often bloom in May.

Cherry blossom season begins in Japan at different intervals, with that in the south starting between January and February. In mid-Japan it generally begins between March and April, while northern Japan experiences the season in May.

Cherry blossoms most commonly reach full bloom between March and April, during the peak of the spring season in Japan.

The best opportunity for finding the white and pink flowers at their most prominent is often four to seven days after their peak bloom, with some blossoms lasting up to 14 days under ideal weather conditions.

Japan hosts many cherry blossom festivals during the time the flowers are in full bloom and you can use our ideas on the top things to do during Japan cherry blossom festivals to inspire your custom tour.

The cherry blossom season in Japan typically ends around late April. The earlier the trees bloom, the sooner the flowers will wilt and fall from them.

Okinawa’s season in 2019 ended by the first week of February, while that year's Sakura season did not end until early May.

When planning with a travel specialist, you can learn more about Japan’s cherry blossom forecast with the intention of booking for the end of the season. These experts can also share more insight and top tips for your Japan cherry blossom trip.

The cherry blossom season in Japan encapsulates the beauty of spring, the rebirth of nature, and a rekindling of the community. Finding the best time to witness the cherry blossoms can depend on where you wish to visit, but exploring Japan during the season can result in unforgettable experiences.

Our Japan cherry blossom tours can give you more inspiration for your trip and our Japan cherry blossom travel guide can offer great insight with which to plan.