11 of the Best Cherry Blossom Spots in Japan

Springtime in Tokyo’s hip Nakameguro district sees the more than 800 trees that line the canal-like Meguro River burst into shades of pink and white. Here, the Nakameguro Sakura Festival (which runs from roughly the end of March to early April) celebrates the blossoming trees—and they're lit up in the evening, adding a new dimension to blossom viewing.

You can dive into the area’s hanami culture and history, under the illuminated trees, on a cherry blossom tour, before taking a sushi tour of the neighborhood or learning how to make classic Japanese dishes with a local chef.

In the heart of the Shinjuku district, the sprawling Shinjuku Gyoen offers a respite from the surrounding bustle and high-rise buildings. Home to more than 1,000 cherry trees, including both early and late bloomers, the park has plenty of lawn space to sprawl out on and enjoy nature’s show.

Short on time? A guided tour can take you to several top Tokyo hanami-viewing spots in one afternoon. But if you have extra time and want a break from the cherry blossoms, don't miss a visit to the botanical garden in the greenhouse, where you can see tropical plants and flowers.

Related: 10 of the Best Neighborhoods in Tokyo and How to Visit

Brimming with Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines, Japan’s cultural capital is a particularly serene spot for cherry blossom–viewing (if you can get past, both literally and metaphorically, the rather large crowds).

One of the best Kyoto cherry blossom spots is the stone Philosopher's Path (Tesugaku-no-michi), named for a philosopher who practiced meditation while walking there. The path follows a canal lined by hundreds of cherry trees, though there are lots of top blossom destinations in Kyoto if you know where to look.

Insider tip: You can maximize your time by booking a bicycle or rickshaw tour to whisk you between locations.

Mt. Yoshino (part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range) has long been a favored hanami spot. The first cherry trees are believed to have been planted on its slopes over 1,300 years ago, and today it boasts more than 30,000 cherry trees, of many types and colors.

A guided tour can introduce you to the many shrines and temples on the path up the mountain, and then you can head back down to the city to visit the Nara Deer Park—the scenery is especially picturesque in sakura season.

Nestled in the hills of Fujiyoshida City, around 66 miles (108 kilometers) west of Tokyo, the 5-story Chureito Pagoda offers excellent Mt. Fuji views, making it a top photography spot year-round. (And a private guided tour from Tokyo can help you find the most photogenic angles.)

Plus, cherry blossom season paints a particularly beautiful scene here as the pagoda appears to float above the pink blossoms separating it and Fuji. After you've finished admiring the blooms, you can then explore more of the Fuji Five Lakes area to make the most of a day trip from Tokyo.

Perched on a hilltop in the Hyōgo Prefecture in the Kansai region, UNESCO–listed Himeji Castle is famed for its white facade, which is supposed to resemble a bird taking flight; its views of Mt. Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi; and the surrounding cherry trees.

Here, explore the grounds, gardens, and interiors on a private guided tour or glide along the canal under the trees’ flowering branches on a boat tour. Once you're finished, you can take a walking tour of the surrounding area to learn more about the region's culture and history.

In the Aomori Prefecture on the northernmost part of Japan’s main island, Honshu, a park that’s filled with 2,500 sakura trees surrounds the 400-year-old Hirosaki Castle. The seasonal scene is only completed by moats, colorful bridges, and the snow-capped Mt. Iwaki in the background.

Admire the scene on a private guided tour or rent a boat and paddle along the fallen petal-covered moat, before exploring what else the Aomori Prefecture has to offer.

On the eastern side of the Izu Peninsula, the Kawazu cherry trees are some of Japan’s earliest bloomers—they start opening in early February and are typically in full bloom as early as late February. So, if you can't wait for the springtime blooms in other parts of the country, head to Kawazu to welcome the early arrival of spring on the peninsula.

Happily, it's an easy day trip from Tokyo to explore Kawazu with a guide, and then you can go and explore more of the Shizuoka Prefecture, whether you want to go canyoning, biking, or scuba diving.

The small island of Megijima, in the Seto Inland Sea, offers a quieter alternative to the most popular hanami spots. The island has a laid-back beachy ambiance and is steeped in folklore—it’s also associated with the “demon’s island” of the Japanese tale Momotarō.

Close to the so-called “ogre’s cave,” a mountaintop park offers excellent views of the sea and the surrounding islands; in spring, hundreds of cherry trees bloom here too. You can visit Megijima on a day trip from Takamatsu, and rent a bicycle at the port to get around.

On the northern island of Hokkaido, Matsumae Castle is surrounded by thousands of cherry trees in more than 200 varieties, which means that peak bloom is staggered, and hanami season lasts almost a whole month. This means that you can explore the castle and surrounding hot springs while you enjoy the blossoms all season long.

Additionally, the Matsumae Cherry Blossom Festival has various events such as armored samurai warrior parades, a Matsumae local products fair, and celebration of the birth of Buddha to keep you occupied while you're in town.

On Kyushu, the sunniest and southernmost of Japan’s four major islands, Miyazaki’s Mochio Park is home to around 2,600 cherry trees which burst into color in roughly mid-March, and there are many ways that you can view the blooms in the area.

Take a rickshaw ride through the park, enjoy the festivities of the Mochio Park Cherry Blossom Festival, and join the locals sprawled out and picnicking beneath the trees. Afterward, follow the park’s hiking trails to the cascading Sekinoo Falls.

It varies across the country, but cherry blossom season typically runs between the end of March and the beginning of April. This year, the Japan Meteorological Corporation (JMC) has released the Japan 2026 cherry blossom forecast, and it predicts that cherry blossoms will begin flowering in Tokyo around March 19, reaching full bloom about a week later.

Meanwhile, northern parts of the country (Aomori and Sapporo) will start to see cherry blossoms around April 13, reaching peak bloom on roughly April 23. Monitor the JMC for the most up-to-date information about peak blooms across the country.