Sakura season in Japan is truly amazing! From March to the end of May you can enjoy to the cherry blossoms. They are very special, but in Japan every corner in spring is а fairy tail. Japanese people love flowers – you can see а tulips, violets, poppies and more on front of houses, offices and even on the street.
Here are 5 of the best places to see sakura in Japan at springtime:
Tokyo – Ueno park
If you’re in Tokyo in March/early April, be sure to check out Ueno park for sakura and visit the lake behind the park for more stunning cherry trees. This is one of the most favourite spots for cherry blossom viewing for locals and foreigners. Here you will find over 1000 cherry trees. Go there and enjoy to parties and festivals! Don’t miss out!
Osaka – Osaka castle park
Osaka castle park offers a beautiful contrast between the historic castle and the surrounding cherry trees. The park has around 3 000 sakura trees and is a popular spot for both locals and tourists to enjoy hanami (“flower viewing”). Osaka castle park was absolutely stunning to see the blossoms. But of course, always must to prepare for big lines. Osaka castle is one the most visited places in all Japan.
Kyoto – Kiyomizu-dera Temple
If you are in Kyoto, Kiyomizu-dera temple is your place for sakura. You can visit in the daytime or after 6PM for the special night illumination. Maruyama Park is another place for sakura and this is Kyoto’s most famous cherry blossom spot. The park’s traditional tea houses add to its charm.
You can also go to Gion. This special district has great tea houses, temples, shrines and ryokans.
Nara – Nara park
Nara is just 1 hour away from Osaka and you can get there easily by train. We feed the deers with special crackers and explored the whole park covered with sakura. This is our favourite place at this time of year. Here in Nara – Japan’s first permanent capital, the deers are everywhere. They are so sweet, but sometimes are little bit insolent because love crackers so much. Luckily these crackers are sold on every corner for a little amount of money.
Mount Yoshino
Just imagine – mountain covered by approximately 30 000 beautiful cherry trees of many different varieties… Welcome to Yoshino (Yoshinoyama)! This beautiful mountain is located near to Nara – about 2 hours by train! The road is beautiful and you can ride and observe Japanese countryside.
I highly recommend you Yoshino in Wakayama down south from Wakayama! Whole mountain covered with sakura!
Each of these locations provides a unique and picturesque setting to enjoy Japan’s iconic cherry blossoms.
Late April/early May is insanely busy in Japan due to Golden Week, when the majority of Japanese people are off work too, adding to the crowds. Golden Week is comprised of a bunch of national holidays. Hotels are all booked up and much more expensive than usual.
Sakura season in Japan was at the top of our travel wish list! Everything was so gorgeous at this time of year…
If you decide to visit Japan one day, make sure to do it during sakura season. These pictures absolutely don’t do justice for the beauty we get to experience.
Interesting fact: People in Japan have Sakura picnics (Hanami parties) and eat/drink with friends under the blossoms. You will see them everywhere.
