"Cherry Blossoms in Full Bloom: 2019 Japan Cherry Blossom Season, Flowering Period & Viewing Spots Guide"

Tripbaa Funbaa!: Asia’s Free Travel Expert

The cherry blossom season in Japan is arguably one of the most beloved scenic wonders for people in Taiwan. Have you already started planning your 2019 cherry blossom trip? In addition to daytime hanami, there's also the "nighttime cherry blossom viewing" experience—when the blossoms are illuminated at night, they take on a different kind of mystery and romance. Now, follow our editor to discover the 2019 cherry blossom blooming times and activities in Japan!

If you’ve already begun planning your 2019 cherry blossom trip, you might want to check out the Japan Meteorological Corporation’s “Otenki Navigator Cherry Blossom Navigator.” On their website, you can view 1,000 cherry blossom viewing spots across Japan & real-time bloom conditions. If you click in now, you’ll mostly see images of green leaves as the blossoms haven’t bloomed yet.

You can look up the cherry blossom bloom data for the Japanese regions you plan to visit in 2018, while also checking out nearby attractions and information around those hanami spots. When the time gets closer, you can also refer to the Japan Meteorological Association’s “Cherry Blossom Forecast” to comprehensively estimate the 2019 cherry blossom blooming period in Japan.

■ Website: Japan Cherry Blossom Navigator
■ App: Sakura Sōsenbon (Cherry Blossom Frontline) for iOS / Google Play

Japan Cherry Blossom Season – 2018 Cherry Blossom Bloom Forecast. (Photo / Japan Meteorological Corporation)

However, depending on yearly climate conditions and weather changes, the timing of Japan’s cherry blossom season may still be affected. If you haven’t yet decided which Japanese city to visit for cherry blossoms, you might want to first check the general months and periods of the cherry blossom season before deciding where to go for hanami in the 2019 season.

Okinawa’s cherry blossoms are the earliest to bloom in all of Japan, visible from late January to mid-February, when you can admire the pink blossoms. Located in central Okinawa, Nakagusuku Castle is also one of the “100 Famous Cherry Blossom Spots in Japan,” and it holds an annual cherry blossom festival (Nago Sakura Festival). From the castle’s observation deck, you can overlook the emerald-green East China Sea and the blooming cherry blossoms—a breathtaking scene where the two colors blend beautifully. During the festival, traditional dances and Ryukyuan folk music performances are also held, inviting everyone to welcome the arrival of spring together.

■ Cherry Blossom Variety: Kanhi-zakura (Winter Cherry)
■ Cherry Blossom Festival: January 26–27, 2019 (Tentative)

Japan Cherry Blossom Season Attraction – Nakagusuku Castle in Okinawa. (Photo /

The earliest blooming cherry blossoms on the Japanese mainland are the Kawazu-zakura in Shizuoka. The Kawazu-zakura are known for their relatively larger blossoms compared to typical cherry blossoms, and their fresh, bright pink petals are especially endearing. Every year, the "Kawazu Sakura Festival" is held near Kawazu Station, with the most famous attraction being the row of cherry blossom trees along the Kawazu River, known as the "Kawazu Namiki." This marks the beginning of Japan’s annual cherry blossom season. Coupled with the golden rapeseed flower fields along the Kawazu River, it offers a double visual feast.

■ Cherry Blossom Variety: Kawazu-zakura
■ Cherry Blossom Festival: February 10 – March 10 (2018)
■ Recommended Experience: Japanese Kawazu-zakura + rapeseed flowers + all-you-can-eat strawberries

Japanese cherry blossom spot – Kawazu-zakura in Shizuoka. (Photo /

Japanese cherry blossom spots – Shizuoka’s Kawazu-zakura.(Photo/)

Tokyo’s cherry blossom season usually falls between March 15 and March 30 each year. The blooming period for cherry blossoms across central Tokyo and nearby areas, including Mount Fuji, typically lasts about a week.Popular cherry blossom spots in central Tokyo include Ueno Park, Shinjuku Gyoen, and Inokashira Park. There are also nighttime cherry blossom viewing options, such as the illumination events at Chidorigafuchi in Chiyoda, Nakameguro, and Rikugien, which are incredibly beautiful and romantic.

■ Types of cherry blossoms: Somei Yoshino, mountain cherry, weeping cherry

Japanese cherry blossom season spot—Ueno Park.(Photo/)

Japanese cherry blossom season attraction – Roppongi Hills.(Photo/)

If you have more time, I recommend visiting Mount Fuji in the Tokyo suburbs to see the cherry blossoms. Although Mount Fuji is a popular attraction, it covers a vast area and isn’t as crowded as the city center, offering a better chance to enjoy large stretches of blooming cherry blossoms.If you have enough energy, you can also climb the 400 - step stairs to reach the famous cherry - blossom viewing spot, Niikura Asama Park, and enjoy the beautiful view of Mount Fuji hidden among the cherry blossoms and the shrine from afar!

■ Cherry blossom variety: Somei Yoshino
■ Cherry Blossom Festival: February 10 to March 10 (2018)

Recommended reading:

Beyond cherry blossoms, Mount Fuji in the Tokyo suburbs also offers "shibazakura" (pink moss phlox) from April onward. Shibazakura are ground-hugging flowers resembling cherry blossoms, in shades of pink, white, and purple.From mid-April to the end of May each year, Lake Kawaguchi in the Tokyo suburbs hosts the grand Fuji Shibazakura Festival. If you don’t want to be in crowded city areas, or find flight tickets too expensive during March’s cherry blossom season, visiting here a bit later can be a great alternative for cherry blossom viewing.

■ Types of cherry blossoms: Shiba Zakura (ground-cover cherry blossoms)
■ Cherry blossom festival: April 13 – May 26, 2019
■ Official website: Fuji Shibazakura Festival

The cherry blossom season in the Kansai region is roughly similar to that in Tokyo, with the majority falling between March 20 and March 30. However, due to the wide variety of cherry blossom species—from Osaka Mint Bureau, Kyoto Daigo-ji Temple, and Kiyomizu-dera Temple, to Ninnaji Temple, Hirano Shrine, and Horikawa Yaezakura—the overall blooming period can last about a month. There are also cherry blossom festivals and night illuminations, making it a lively month-long celebration of cherry blossoms.

■ Cherry Blossom Varieties: Somei Yoshino, Yamazakura, Yaezakura
■ Cherry Blossom Festivals: Osaka Mint Bureau typically announces opening hours in mid-March; Hirano Shrine on April 10

Moving slightly westward to Tottori Prefecture, the birthplace of Gosho Aoyama, the creator of the manga "Detective Conan," this area not only features Conan Airport and train stations but also numerous Conan-themed spots. Combined with Tottori’s natural beauty such as the Tottori Sand Dunes and Uradome Coast, it attracts many travelers specifically for a visit.

In recent years, Tottori has also become a very popular cherry blossom viewing destination and was even selected as one of Japan’s “1000 Best Cherry Blossom Spots.” Therefore, during the cherry blossom season each year, the Fuefuki River in Tottori hosts a grand cherry blossom festival, featuring canoe cherry blossom viewing, night illuminations, various food stalls, and other lively events—definitely worth a visit.

■ Cherry Blossom Variety: Somei Yoshino
■ Cherry Blossom Festival: April 9–10 (2018)

Most people might associate Nagano with Hakuba Village and skiing, but the cherry blossoms in Nagano are also definitely worth seeing. The park boasts up to 1,500 Somei Yoshino cherry trees, set against the majestic backdrop of the Central Alps, earning it the nickname “the finest cherry blossom spot under heaven.” Every spring during cherry blossom season, Matsumoto’s Takayama Castle hosts the “Takayama Castle Site Park Cherry Blossom Festival.” In addition to daytime cherry blossom viewing, picnics, and leisurely strolls, the nighttime offers a serene beauty as the blossoms are illuminated by specially designed lighting.

■ Cherry blossom variety: Takayama Somei Yoshino
■ Cherry blossom festival: April 6 – April 22, 2019 (tentative)

Every spring during the cherry blossom season in Japan, 1,200 cherry trees bloom simultaneously along the Shiroishi River in Miyagi Prefecture. Because you can see over a thousand pink blossoms in one glance, it's poetically called the "thousand cherry trees in one view." Most of these cherry trees are over 70–80 years old, with some nearly a hundred years old. It's not just a local spot for picnics and cherry blossom viewing but has also been selected as one of Japan's top 100 cherry blossom sites. You really owe it to yourself to visit at least once in your life.

■ Cherry blossom varieties: Somei Yoshino, Shirofugen (white mountain cherry), and Yaezakura (double-flowered cherry).
■ Cherry Blossom Festival: April 16 (2018)

Finally, there’s northernmost Hokkaido. Because Hokkaido in Japan covers a vast area, the overall cherry blossom season can last nearly a month. From the most famous Hakodate Goryokaku Park, Matsumae Castle, Sapporo Q?jiao?an Naju??ba#, to Ji??yong?? de da mu jie#, all are very worthwhile spots to see Japan’s famous cherry blossoms. [/{p}>

However, since the cherry blossom season is affected by weather conditions in different regions, the blooming period in various parts of Hokkaido lasts only about a week. Before visiting any area in Hokkaido to view the blossoms, be sure to check the cherry blossom forecast and real-time bloom reports!

■ Cherry blossom varieties: Somei Yoshino, Okame Zakura

Recommended reading:

[Authorized reprint by Tripbaa] Original source: [When do cherry blossoms bloom in Japan? Get a sneak peek at the 2019 cherry - blossom season and popular cherry - blossom viewing spots in Japan]