When is Cherry Blossom Season in Japan? (2026)

This guide draws from years of chasing sakura across Japan, from Okinawa’s mid-January to February blooms to Hokkaido’s late April to early May finale.

I'll walk you through 2026 timing predictions, the best viewing locations, cultural context, and the practical details that make the difference between a frustrating trip and one that truly captures what makes cherry blossom season so compelling.

While planning your journey, understanding sakura timing will shape which of the best places to visit in Japan you can realistically include.

Quick Answer: Regional Timing Overview

Forecast source: Japan Meteorological Corporation (second forecast, 8 January 2026).

1) What month is cherry blossom season in Japan?

Cherry blossom season generally runs from late January to early May, depending on the region. Okinawa typically blooms first (mid-January to February), and Hokkaido blooms last (late April to early May).

2) When is peak cherry blossom season in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka in 2026?

Based on Japan Meteorological Corporation’s second forecast (8 January 2026), Tokyo is forecast to flower around 20 March and reach full bloom around 27 March. Kyoto is forecast to flower around 25 March and reach full bloom around 1 April. Osaka is forecast to flower around 24 March and reach full bloom around 31 March.

3) When should I travel for the best chance of seeing cherry blossoms?

For the best odds in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, plan for late March to early April and build in two to three days of flexibility. For earlier travel, choose Okinawa (mid-January to February). For later travel, choose Aomori and Hirosaki (late April) or Sapporo (late April to early May).

Late March to early April remains the safest bet for central Honshu, though travelers with flexible schedules should monitor forecasts closely. A warmer-than-average winter could push Tokyo's peak bloom into late March, while a lingering cold spell might delay it until mid-April.

Regional Breakdown: When Cherry Blossoms Arrive

Okinawa leads the country with blooms starting in mid-January through February. Nakijin Castle ruins offer the most dramatic early viewing, though the deep pink Kanhizakura varieties here differ significantly from mainland sakura. By mid-February, southern Kyushu begins its bloom cycle.

Late March brings cherry blossoms to Kyushu's major cities and western Honshu. Fukuoka, Hiroshima, and Nagasaki typically peak between 25 and 30 March.

Late March into early April marks peak season across central Japan. Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Nagoya all reach full bloom within the late March to early April window (exact timing varies year to year, so check the latest forecast update close to your trip). This concentration explains why accommodation prices spike and crowds reach their maximum density during this narrow window.

Mid-April shifts the focus to northern Honshu. Late April through early May brings the season to Hokkaido, with Sapporo and Hakodate typically peaking between 25 April and 5 May.

Maruyama Park in the Gion district centers on a massive weeping cherry tree that becomes the focal point for evening hanami gatherings. The drooping branches cascade down like a fountain of pale pink flowers, especially dramatic when lit at night. I've noticed that people tend to go quieter around this particular tree, even in the middle of crowded hanami parties. Something about its scale and age commands a different kind of attention.

The Kamo River banks offer a more relaxed alternative. Locals claim spots along the water in late March and sit for hours watching the cherry blossoms. You can explore quieter temple districts at a leisurely stroll, dipping into side streets where smaller Buddhist temples host their own quiet sakura displays.

Osaka and Kansai Castle Grounds

Osaka sits just thirty minutes from Kyoto by train, and Osaka Castle provides one of the most photographed cherry blossom viewing spots in the country. The castle grounds hold thousands of sakura trees, and the contrast between the dark fortress walls and pale pink cherry blossoms draws massive crowds during peak bloom. Arrive at opening time, around 9 AM, or accept that you'll be navigating packed pathways all afternoon.

Himeji Castle stands as another UNESCO World Heritage site that delivers spectacular sakura views. The white castle exterior amplifies the soft pink of the blossoms, and the extensive grounds give you room to wander. This is one of those places where the blend of historic architecture and natural beauty justifies the journey, even if you're not ordinarily drawn to castles.

Northern Japan: Hirosaki and Late Season Viewing

Hirosaki Castle in Aomori Prefecture hosts one of Japan's most celebrated cherry blossom festivals. The castle moat reflects the cherry blossoms in still water, doubling the visual impact. Bloom timing here arrives in late April or early May, making Hirosaki ideal for travelers who want to experience sakura season but can't manage the early April rush farther south.

The northern timing means fewer international visitors. The festival brings food stalls, traditional performances, and evening illuminations. I visited Hirosaki in late April three years ago and found the festive events more intimate than the massive sakura festivals in Tokyo.

Hokkaido's bloom arrives last, sometimes not reaching full bloom until mid-May. Sapporo and Hakodate offer urban hanami experiences in cooler climates, where the trees burst into flower against a backdrop that still holds traces of winter in the surrounding mountains.

Quieter Alternatives Away from Peak Crowds

Every famous sakura destination has lesser-known neighbors that offer breathing room without sacrificing beauty. In Tokyo, Sumida Park and Meguro River provide alternatives to Ueno's intensity. In Kyoto, the eastern hills hold dozens of small temple gardens where you can view cherry blossoms without overwhelming crowds.

Takato Castle in Nagano Prefecture blooms in deeper pink than standard Somei Yoshino varieties, creating an almost surreal landscape when the trees reach peak bloom. The elevation means timing arrives in mid-April, perfect for those who missed the earlier waves in Tokyo and Kyoto.

Ask at your accommodation for neighborhood recommendations. Every Tokyo ward has its own cherry trees and local hanami traditions. You'll often get better suggestions than guidebooks provide.

Office groups send junior staff early in the morning to reserve prime spots for after-work hanami parties. I've seen people arrive at Maruyama Park by 6 AM to claim space for colleagues who won't show up until 6 PM. Families arrive with elaborate picnics. Couples find quieter corners for more intimate celebrations. The atmosphere beneath the cherry blossoms mixes festive spirit with something more contemplative, an acknowledgment that this bloom won't last, so we might as well enjoy sakura while it's here.

What Cherry Blossom Festivals Feel Like

Major sakura festivals transform parks and temple grounds into temporary festival spaces. Food stalls appear along the main pathways, selling takoyaki, yakitori, and seasonal items like sakura mochi, sweet rice cakes wrapped in pickled cherry leaves. The smell of grilling meat mixes with the faint, almost imperceptible scent of the cherry blossoms themselves, which only really registers when you stand directly beneath full bloom on a warm afternoon.

Evening brings the real magic. Parks string lights through the branches, creating tunnels of illuminated pink. Traditional performances sometimes take place on temporary stages with taiko drumming, classical dance, or shakuhachi flute music. The crowds during evening hanami reach their peak, but the energy justifies the density.

Notable Regional Sakura Festivals

Hirosaki Castle's cherry blossom festival runs for about ten days starting in late April, and draws huge crowds during the festival period to see fifty varieties of cherry trees. Night illuminations reflect in the castle moat.

Yoshinoyama in Nara Prefecture hosts one of Japan's oldest sakura viewing traditions. Thousands of cherry trees cover the mountainside in overlapping waves of bloom that start at the base and move upward through mid-April. The density of blossoms here exceeds almost anywhere else in the country.

Hanami Etiquette That Actually Matters

Hanami etiquette emphasizes consideration in crowded spaces. Don't shake trees to make petals fall for photographs. It's become more common in the past few years, particularly at popular Instagram spots, and locals find it genuinely offensive. Stay on designated paths in temple gardens and parks.

If joining a hanami party, bring something to contribute. The person who reserved a hanami spot isn't necessarily the person sitting there. Groups take turns, so don't assume abandoned tarps mean available space. I've watched confused tourists sit on reserved spots only to have twenty office workers show up at 6 PM expecting their claimed territory.

Respect quiet hours in residential areas. Some parks officially close at night, even during sakura season. Follow the posted rules and take all trash with you.

These trees were developed during the Edo period and spread nationwide after the Meiji Restoration. Their uniformity creates the wave effect of the cherry blossom front. Since they're genetically identical, they respond to temperature cues in a synchronized fashion. This is why forecasts can predict bloom timing with reasonable accuracy.

The downside to Somei Yoshino's dominance is that it narrows the viewing window. Once these trees finish blooming, the sakura season essentially ends in most locations.

Weeping Cherry: Cascading Drama

Weeping cherry trees offer a different aesthetic entirely. The drooping branches create cascading curtains of cherry blossoms that feel more architectural than the standard upright varieties. Maruyama Park's famous tree exemplifies this form, a massive specimen that becomes a pillar of pale pink flowers when it reaches peak bloom.

These trees often bloom slightly earlier or later than Somei Yoshino, extending the season by a few days on either end. The drooping form means you can stand directly beneath the branches and be completely enclosed by blossoms.

I've spent entire afternoons photographing weeping cherry trees at different Kyoto temples, each one with its own character shaped by age and pruning.

Regional Varieties and Mountain Cherries

Mountain cherry trees bloom later than their lowland cousins and produce smaller, more delicate flowers. These yamazakura varieties grow wild and mix with other spring foliage. Their charm lies in subtlety, scattered pink against emerging green.

Okinawa's varieties differ entirely from mainland sakura. The deep pink Kanhizakura blooms in January and February, with bell-shaped flowers that point downward. They thrive in subtropical climates that would never support Somei Yoshino.

Modern hanami parties focus on joy and renewal, but the awareness of brevity remains underneath the festive spirit. Literature and art from the Edo period through contemporary times return constantly to sakura imagery.

Sakura in Daily Life and Cuisine

Even seasonal foods incorporate sakura flavoring. Sakura mochi uses actual cherry leaves and petals, connecting taste to the visual experience of bloom. The pickled leaf wrapper adds a subtle, slightly salty note that balances the sweet rice cake filling.

Common Mistakes and What to Skip

I want you to have the best possible experience, so take the following into account.

Overhyped Spots That Rarely Deliver

1. Shinjuku Gyoen (Tokyo): it may require advance booking or timed entry on peak dates, and long lines can eat into bloom time
2. Arashiyama bamboo grove (Kyoto): the grove itself has little sakura, and nearby riverside areas can be so crowded that the experience becomes more stressful than scenic

Timing Mistakes to Avoid

1. Booking flights too early: forecasts sharpen closer to spring, so avoid locking dates too far in advance
2. Waiting too long to plan: aim to firm up dates by mid-February for late March to early April travel
3. Trying to do multiple cities in one day: Tokyo to Kyoto takes just over two hours by shinkansen, and sakura viewing rewards unhurried time

What Not to Do at Hanami

1. Don’t climb trees for photos: it damages branches and comes across as disrespectful
2. Don’t blast music on portable speakers: parks are shared spaces, even during parties
3. Don’t assume English works everywhere outside Tokyo: learn basic phrases like “excuse me,” “thank you,” and “where is the bathroom.”

Do enough planning to give yourself a real chance, then let the rest unfold. Follow the forecast, build in a little flexibility, and choose a few moments to do slowly: a quiet walk at sunrise, lantern-lit petals after dark, a simple snack under the trees with everyone else. The blossoms will fall whether you’re there or not. The only question is whether you’ll be standing beneath them when they do.