Japanese Cherry Blossom Viewing Guide 2025

Cherry blossom viewing, also known as "Ohanami" in Japanese, a tradition for local people, which also has become one of the most popular trip options for overseas visitors. Various cherry blossom trees can be found all over Japan and each spot creates a unique taste by combining other sceneries such as skyscrapers or rivers, especially during the full bloom season, which is around the end of March. This article will provide useful information about types of cherry blossoms and the estimated blooming dates depending on the city. We will also recommend some of the best places to view cherry blossoms in 2025 and provide you with some useful tips on planning your Japan tour.

The Cherry Blossom Map will be published in January 2025, so we provide the 2024 version just for your information.

Japan Cherry Blossom Map in 2024

When is the Best Time to See Cherry Blossoms in Different Cities

The best time to see cherry blossoms is in spring, from early March to late April, but the best time may vary slightly in each zone and city of Japan. Before deciding when to go, make sure to check the cherry blossom forecast provided by the Meteorological Corporation to see the estimated bloom dates for each city. Here are the cherry blossom blooming dates in 2024 for some of the major cities in Japan.

According to the Japan Tanki, the annual forecast of the blooming date for 2025 will be announced in January 2025, we will update you with more specific flowering times as they become available, please keep checking back!

Cherry Blossoms in Japan

Where to See Cherry Blossoms in Japan

Below are some of the best places to enjoy the cherry blossoms in Japan.

Okinawa

A northern island quite far from the main island, famous for its beautiful beaches and the earliest place for visitors to go to Hanami, where you can see the cherry blossoms in January. Such as the Yae-dake, a mid-January visit there will show you a lovely mount scenery of deep pink flowers.

Tokyo

Tokyo, with many parks planted with cherry blossoms around the city center, making it easy to find an ideal spot to view the blossoms. Take Ueno Park as an example, where you can have a picnic and enjoy the fancy petals of the cherry blossoms above your head. You can also see some of the songs and dances performed during the festivals there.

Kyoto

Kyoto is a good place to enjoy the stunning combination of cherry blossoms and traditional Japanese architecture. Head to Kiyomizu-Dera on the mountain for a bird's eye view of the entire city and the flower-covered temple, which can be quite an impressive experience to feel Japanese elegance.

Osaka

Osaka is the central city of western Japan with many parks where you can enjoy the cherry blossoms, but with another characteristic: water. It is also known as the city of water because of the many rivers that flow through it, such as the Okawa River, where you can take full advantage of cruising along its pink banks.

Hokkaido

Hokkaido is the northern mainland of Japan with a slightly higher longitude, where you can see the cherry blossoms in May with fewer crowds and the warm temperatures of early summer. There are more Yoshino cherry trees, so you will find much brighter colored flowers during your Hokkaido hanami.

Cherry Blossom Viewing

What Types of Cherry Blossom Are There in Japan

Cherry blossoms belong to the Rosaceae family and can be found in the temperate zones of the Northern Hemisphere, including East Asia, Europe, and North America, and are often planted for ornamental purposes by their pink and white flowers that bloom in spring. Meanwhile, the cherry blossom is one of the symbols of Japan.

Although the most common and well-known species of cherry blossom is the Someiyoshino, there are actually about 100 original species that grow naturally in Japan. In addition, there are now over 600 types of cherry blossoms all over Japan including improved varieties.

Each of the cherry blossom species has its own flowering time. The early-blooming Kawazu starts blooming around February when the cold weather lingers. After that, many varieties such as Someiyoshino and Shidarezakura (Japanese weeping cherry tree) begin to bloom from around mid-March, and late-blooming Yaezakura (double-layer cherry blossom) can be enjoyed until around May.

Tips for Planning Your Trip to See Cherry Blossoms in Japan

To ensure that your trip to see cherry blossoms in Japan goes smoothly, it is highly recommended that you make plans beforehand. As the cherry blossom season in Japan attracts not only overseas tourists but also local tourists, most of the popular hotels and transportation such as the Shinkansen are usually fully booked even before the cherry blossom season arrives. Especially for those who plan to visit Kyoto, it is recommended to book your hotels 8 to 9 months in advance.

Another factor to consider before planning your trip is the budget. As the cherry blossom season is considered one of the high seasons for traveling in Japan, hotel prices are likely to rise to their highest level of all year which is about 3 times the usual rate as a result. Although the prices are higher during the cherry blossom season, you will be rewarded with beautiful sceneries that make you remember for a lifetime.

There is also another way to view the cherry blooms if you want to save your budget, we suggest you look for the early blooming cherry blossoms in February or the Hokkaido cherry blooms in May, where the prices are usually lower.

Start Your Cherry Blossom Tour With Odynovo

The cherry blossom season in Japan is all about joy and celebration, and the diversity of the country makes sure each spot can be a stunning location to view the beautiful flowers. Wherever you choose to see the cherry blossoms in Japan, from the most famous to the less-known, it is sure to be an unforgettable experience. To avoid missing out on the best time to visit and to make sure to cover all the must-see spots for cherry blossom viewing, feel free to contact our tour specialist for a tailor-made itinerary and other services to enhance your trip.