Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival: Everything You Need to Know
The cherry blossom festival in Japan is a must-see event for anyone who loves nature and beauty. The delicate pink sakura flowers grace the country every year, attracting visitors from all over the world. If you’re planning on visiting Japan during the cherry blossom season, make sure to visit these places to make the most out of your trip.
Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival: What is it?
The cherry blossom festival in Japan is an annual event that celebrates the blooming of the sakura, or cherry blossom trees. The festival usually takes place beginning in mid-March or early April, when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom.
During this time, people from all over Japan and even from other countries come to see the beautiful pink and white flowers. The cherry blossom festival is a time for celebration and enjoying the company of friends and family.
When and Where are the Cherry Blossom Festivals held?
The different regions of Japan experience the blooming of the flowers at different times of the months. The southernmost part of the Island begins to experience the blooming the earliest as the regions begin to warm up much earlier than the others.
Flowering may start from mid to late March around Nagasaki and Hiroshima, and as the rest of the Island starts to experience Spring seasons and the warming that comes with it, the other regions begin blooming.
Tokyo, Sendai, and Kanazawa have late March to early April blooms with the northmost regions and cities like Sapporo and Hakodate seeing the latest of the blooms around late April.
If you are looking forward to experiencing as much of the Sakura Blooms, we suggest starting from the south and making your way north giving yourself a week or 2 as you make your way through these cities. Experiencing the cherry blossom festival in every region? A bucket list item for sure!
Hanami: The Japanese term for “Flower Viewing”
Hanami is the Japanese tradition of flower viewing, and it is often done during the cherry blossom season. People gather in parks and gardens to enjoy the beauty of the sakura flowers. Hanami is a time for celebration and enjoying the company of friends and family. It’s a tradition that dates back centuries, and it is still popular today.
As you stroll through the parks taking in the beauty of the flowers, you will see family, friends, and even co-workers sitting down underneath these flowering trees and picnicking. These can be accompanied by sake drinking or Japanese liquor which is traditional for such an occasion. If you’re in Japan during the cherry blossom season, be sure to experience hanami at least once! Check out all our stories from Japan during Hanami on Instagram @wewanderlustco
Check out our experience in Japan with our first Cherry Blossom Festival experience in the YouTube video below 👇
What to do during the cherry blossom festival?
There are many things to do during the cherry blossom festival in Japan. One of the most popular activities is viewing the blooming of the sakura trees. This can be done by taking a walk in the park or going on a sightseeing tour.
If you want to take part in more festive activities, there are also many foods and drink stalls set up during the festival. You can try traditional Japanese foods such as sushi, sashimi, and tempura, or buy souvenirs for your friends and family back home.
What not to do during the cherry blossom festival?
There are a few things you should avoid doing during the cherry blossom festival in Japan. One is driving. The streets can be very crowded during this time, so it’s best to avoid driving if possible. Another thing to avoid is bringing a lot of luggage with you.
Since there are many places to visit and things to do, it’s best not to bring too much stuff with you. Our recommendation is to pack light! Finally, try not to make any major plans during the festival. This is a time for enjoying the company of friends and family, so don’t spend all your time working or sightseeing. Take some time to relax and enjoy the festivities!
Must-Visit Places for Hanami
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
This large park in the heart of Tokyo is home to over 1000 cherry blossom trees. It’s a popular spot for hanami (cherry blossom viewing) parties, and the best time to visit is usually late March or early April.
Ueno Park
This is one of the most popular cherry blossom viewing spots in Tokyo. The park is home to over 800 cherry blossom trees, and it’s a great place to have a picnic or go for a walk.
Yoshino
This small town in Nara Prefecture is famous for its thousands of sakura trees. The Yoshino cherry tree is a special variety that blooms twice a year, and the town is crowded with tourists during both seasons.
Tip: While you’re there be sure to hang out with the deer of Nara. Try bowing your head and you’ll get a bow back from the dear. This is a learned behavior because the deer know that they’re more likely to get food if they do so.
Kanazawa
This city in Ishikawa Prefecture is home to one of the most beautiful castle parks in Japan. The Kenroku-en Park has over 1000 cherry blossom trees, and it’s a popular spot for hanami parties.
Kyoto
This city is home to over 1000 cherry blossom trees, and the best spots to see them are in the Kyoto Imperial Park and Arashiyama.
Osaka Castle
Osaka Castle is one of Japan’s most famous landmarks, and it’s surrounded by a park with over 600 cherry blossom trees. This location is our favorite of the Osaka region due to the fact there’s plenty to see around the castle. The first is the massive fortification and ditch water that surrounds the heart of the castle.
Secondly, you can find vendors selling food and snacks which is helpful if you find yourself spending a good deal of time at this location.
And thirdly but most importantly, the beauty of the cherry blossoms and how the Castle is surrounded by it as you make your way towards it. Check out our trip to Japan and the Cherry Blossom festivals that we took part in. Some of which we covered was Shinjuku Gyoen Garden, Meguro River, Osaka castle, and Bamboo Forest in Kyoto. The best time to visit is usually in late March or early April.
Mitsuike Park
This park is located in Kawasaki, and it’s famous for its thousands of cherry blossom trees. The best time to visit is usually in early April.
Meguro River Promenade
The 5-mile Meguro river that runs through Tokyo is one of the most adorned places to view cherry blossoms due to the fact that the 800 trees that line the rivers are aesthetically pleasing to look at.
This along with lanterns that light this at night makes it a location worth visiting. While you’re celebrating Hanami, you can later stop by the countless number of shops and restaurants that are situated next to the river.
Tokyo Imperial Palace
This palace is located in the heart of Tokyo, and it’s surrounded by a large park with over 400 cherry blossom trees.
Kamakura
Kamakura is a small town near Tokyo, and it’s home to many shrines and temples. The Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine has over 200 cherry blossom trees, and it’s a popular spot for hanami parties.
Himeji Castle
This castle is located in Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, and it’s one of the most famous castles in Japan.
Kyoto Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
This bamboo forest is located in the western part of Kyoto, and it’s a popular spot for cherry blossom viewing which is home to over 2000 cherry blossom trees. The location of the cherry blossoms may be out of sight as first as you enter the bamboo grove but as you keep walking deeper into the forest, you will be greeted with a field of Cherry Blossoms.
The best part about this is the Arashiyama Park Observation deck which has stunning views of the valley and river below which is quite the sight! The best time to visit is usually in late March or early April.
Golden Week is the best time to go if you want to experience all of the different types of cherry blossom festivals that Japan has to offer. There are over 1000 sakura trees in Kyoto Imperial Park, and it’s one of the most popular spots for hanami parties.
If you’re looking for a more traditional Japanese experience, then consider visiting the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine in Kamakura. This shrine has over 200 cherry blossom trees, and it’s a popular spot for hanami parties. Finally, if you’re looking to see some of the best cherry blossoms in Japan, then consider visiting the Tokyo Imperial Palace. This palace is surrounded by a large park with over 400 cherry blossom trees, and it’s a popular spot for hanami parties.
How do I get around Japan and travel to all these wonderful places?
For those who aren’t familiar with the area or don’t know how to get around, we have a few tips. The first would be to invest in a Japan Rail Pass which is the ideal way to travel around Japan. While keeping long-distance travel in mind, zipping around on a bullet train is your best option to get to your destination faster. What would normally be a 7-9 hours bus ride from Tokyo to Kyoto took us only 2 hours by bullet train. Get the best deal on passes here.
If you’re planning on staying in one area, then we recommend getting a rechargeable IC card that can be used on subways, buses, and trains.
And lastly, if you’re taking taxis, then we recommend using the Japan Taxi app which allows you to pay your fare through the app.
Where to Stay in Tokyo, Japan?
There are many types of accommodations to choose from when staying in Japan. Tokyo Shangri-la is one of the top hotels to choose for your stay at if you’d like to experience luxury at its finest in Japan. Read more into Tokyo’s top stay here.
With the Cherry Blossom Season nearing in Japan and even started, it is worth considering a trip to participate in the festivities. We enjoyed every bit of the festivities and we are sure you will too. Before you jet off, don’t forget to say Kanpai before you drink up that sake. Kanpai is Cheers or “drink your cup dry” in Japanese. Sayonara for now!
