What is Sakura Season?

Cherry blossoms — Japan's most beloved annual event

Every spring, millions of people across Japan (and millions more who fly in from around the world) gather under canopies of pale pink blossoms to eat, drink, and just... be happy. This tradition is called hanami — literally "flower viewing" — and it's been going on for over a thousand years.

The star of the show? The Somei Yoshino cherry tree. It covers the whole country in a wave of soft pink, starting in the south in mid-March and slowly working its way north until it hits Hokkaido in late April. The whole season lasts only about two weeks in any one spot, which makes it extra special.

2026 is shaping up to be a great year — forecasters say blooms will be a little earlier than average thanks to warmer-than-usual temperatures this winter and spring.

Beautiful cherry blossom trees in full bloom in Japan
2026 Forecast

When will the cherry blossoms bloom in your city?

Here's the latest city-by-city flowering forecast from the Japan Meteorological Corporation. Remember: these are predictions — actual bloom times can shift a few days depending on the weather!

Live update: The season has already started in many cities! Tokyo first bloomed March 19, and full bloom is expected around March 27. Check back regularly for updates.
Tokyo
Kantō · Honshū
First BloomMarch 19 ✅
Full Bloom~March 27
Compared to avg~3 days earlier
Earlier than usual
Kyoto
Kansai · Honshū
First Bloom~March 23
Full Bloom~April 1
Compared to avgSlightly earlier
Earlier than usual
Osaka
Kansai · Honshū
First Bloom~March 25
Full Bloom~April 2
Compared to avgAround average
On schedule
Fukuoka
Kyūshū
First Bloom~March 20
Full Bloom~March 29
Compared to avgSlightly earlier
Earlier than usual
Nagoya
Chūbu · Honshū
First Bloom~March 17
Full Bloom~March 27
Compared to avgEarly
Earlier than usual
Hiroshima
Chūgoku · Honshū
First Bloom~March 25
Full Bloom~April 1
Compared to avgAround average
On schedule
Sendai
Tōhoku · Honshū
First Bloom~April 8
Full Bloom~April 13
Compared to avgAround average
On schedule
Sapporo
Hokkaidō
First Bloom~April 25
Full Bloom~April 28
Compared to avgAround average
On schedule
Kōchi
Shikoku
First BloomMarch 16 ✅
Full Bloom~March 26
Compared to avgEarly
Season opener 🌸

The Sakura Front 🗾

The cherry blossom wave rolls northward across Japan, giving you multiple chances to chase it if you're mobile!

🌸
Mid-March
Kōchi, Nagoya, Tokyo, Fukuoka
🌸
Late March
Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, Nara
🌸
Early April
Sendai, Kanazawa, Nikko
🌸
Late April
Aomori, Hirosaki, Sapporo
Sakura in Photos

What sakura season actually looks like

Pale pink everywhere you look — parks, riversides, castle grounds, temple gardens. Here's a taste of what's waiting for you.

Cherry blossom trees along a river in Japan
Cherry blossoms lining a peaceful riverside
Hirosaki Castle with cherry blossoms
Castle grounds draped in pink — Hirosaki
Night sakura illumination at a Japanese park
Yozakura — cherry blossoms lit up at night
Hanami picnic in a Tokyo park
Hanami party vibes — Ueno Park, Tokyo
Best Viewing Spots

Top places to see sakura at their best

You literally can't go wrong in Japan during sakura season — but these spots are truly special.

🏯

Shinjuku Gyoen

Tokyo

Over 1,000 cherry trees in a calm, gorgeous garden right in the heart of the city. A rare no-alcohol zone, so it's peaceful even on peak days. Advance reservations required on select busy weekends in 2026.

🛶

Chidorigafuchi Moat

Tokyo

Rent a rowboat and glide under overhanging cherry trees along the old Imperial Palace moat. One of Tokyo's most iconic sakura experiences. The evening lights make it extra magical.

🌊

Meguro River

Tokyo

800 cherry trees line both sides of this canal. By day it's beautiful; at night with the lanterns reflected on the water, it's unforgettable. Great food and cafes nearby too.

⛩️

Maruyama Park

Kyoto

Famous for its giant weeping cherry tree that's illuminated at night. Perfect for combining a stroll through nearby Gion and Yasaka Shrine. This is classic Kyoto sakura.

🏔️

Yoshinoyama

Nara Prefecture

Japan's most legendary sakura spot for centuries. A mountain covered by around 30,000 cherry trees. Blossoms start at the base in early April and climb to the summit over a few weeks.

🏰

Himeji Castle

Hyōgo Prefecture

Japan's most beautiful feudal castle surrounded by hundreds of cherry trees. That photo of a white castle with pink blossoms everywhere? This is the place. Absolutely stunning.

🌸

Hirosaki Castle Park

Aomori (late April)

Over 2,500 cherry trees including rare weeping varieties. This is where you go for the iconic "petal carpet on the moat" photos. One of Japan's most celebrated late-season spots.

🗻

Lake Kawaguchi (Fuji View)

Yamanashi (mid-April)

Cherry blossoms + Mt. Fuji in the same frame. Yes, it's real. The best view is early morning before the tourist buses arrive. Stay overnight for the clearest shot of Fuji at dawn.

🦌

Nara Park

Nara

1,700 cherry trees shared with 1,200 deer who just wander around completely unbothered. Watching deer nap under falling petals is one of Japan's most charming sights.

How to Enjoy Hanami

Your quick guide to doing hanami right

It's basically a picnic under beautiful trees — but there's an art to doing it well.

1

Arrive early — seriously

The best spots in popular parks get claimed by 7am on peak weekend days. Bring a blue tarp and plant your flag early, then go explore while you wait for friends.

2

Pack a proper picnic

Convenience store bento boxes are surprisingly good. Or try a local bakery for fresh sandwiches. Add some canned beer, sparkling sake, and you're set.

3

Try yozakura (night sakura)

Many parks illuminate the trees after dark — it's a completely different experience. Chidorigafuchi, Meguro River, and Nakameguro are legendary for this.

4

Dress in layers

March and early April in Japan can be warm during the day but genuinely cold at night. A light jacket you can tie around your waist saves the evening.

5

Don't just stick to the famous spots

Your hotel's neighborhood park, a random riverside path, the school across the street — almost everywhere has beautiful sakura. The less crowded spots can be the best.

🙏 Hanami Etiquette

🚫 Don't pick the blossoms or shake the branches. Those trees belong to everyone.
🗑️ Take your trash with you. Bins are rare. Bring a bag and leave the park clean.
🔇 Keep noise reasonable, especially in the evenings. Other groups are there to relax too.
🌳 Don't walk or sit on the tree roots — they're close to the surface and easy to damage.
🏪 If you use a convenience store or café bathroom, it's good manners to buy something.
🍺 Check park rules — some places like Shinjuku Gyoen ban alcohol entirely.
📸 It's totally fine to take photos, just be mindful of other people in your shot.
Sakura Season Snacks

What to eat during hanami

Food is just as important as the flowers! Here's what to look for at street stalls and shops.

🍡

Hanami Dango

Three-colored sweet dumplings on a stick — pink, white, and green. The classic hanami snack.

🌸

Sakura Mochi

Pink sticky rice cake filled with red bean paste, wrapped in a pickled cherry leaf. Sweet and floral.

🍱

Bento Box

The ultimate picnic food. Pick one up at any convenience store or department store basement.

🍶

Sake & Beer

Cold canned sake, chu-hi (fruit cocktails), or beer. Sipping under the blossoms is basically a tradition at this point.

☕

Sakura Latte

Starbucks Japan and most cafes go all-in on sakura-flavored drinks. Sweet, floral, and very Instagrammable.

🥟

Street Food

Festival stalls (yatai) pop up at major hanami sites. Look for takoyaki, yakisoba, and fried chicken.

FAQs

Common questions about sakura season

When is the best time to visit Japan for cherry blossoms in 2026?
It depends on where you're going. Tokyo and Kyoto are typically best in late March to early April. If you want Hokkaido or Tohoku, aim for late April. The beauty of Japan is that you can follow the sakura front north over 6–8 weeks!
How long does the cherry blossom season last?
In any single city, peak bloom usually lasts about a week to ten days. A week of rain or strong wind can shorten it. But across all of Japan, the season runs from mid-March all the way through May.
What's the difference between "first bloom" and "full bloom"?
First bloom means the official sample tree has about 5–6 open flowers. Full bloom (mankai) is declared when around 80% of the tree is in flower — that's the peak you want. It usually takes about a week to get from first bloom to full bloom.
Is sakura season in Japan really that crowded?
The famous spots in Tokyo and Kyoto can get very busy on weekends during peak bloom. But Japan is huge — going even slightly off the beaten path makes a big difference. Weekday mornings are also much quieter than weekend afternoons.
Can I see cherry blossoms and Mount Fuji together?
Yes! The area around Lake Kawaguchi (Fuji Five Lakes) is famous for this. The cherry blossoms there bloom about a week later than Tokyo — usually early-to-mid April. Arrive early in the morning (before 9am) for the clearest view of the mountain.
What if I miss the peak bloom?
Don't worry too much! Late-blooming varieties like yaezakura (double-petalled cherries) flower 3–4 weeks after the main season. Tohoku and Hokkaido are also blooming well into May. And some spots like Shinjuku Gyoen have trees that start early and finish late.

Watch sakura bloom live 🌸

Our live webcams stream from top hanami spots across Japan — Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and more. Don't miss a petal.

Tokyo Live Webcams