As the season of blooming flowers arrives and cherry blossoms grace the land, do you know where locals in Japan go to enjoy the sakura? According to the renowned booking website Hotels.com, which published data on emerging cherry blossom spots visited by Japanese travelers from March to May, the areas with the highest growth are all located in Hokkaido, with increases of over 200%. These include Chitose (319%), Obihiro (275%), and Hakodate (202%)—perfect for enjoying the tail end of spring in April and May. In March and April, the frontlines of the sakura bloom—Kagoshima (177%) and Okayama (148%), the hometown of Momotaro in the Kansai region—are also among the top spots where Japanese people seek springtime fun.
Niseko. (Image provided by Hotels.com)
Slow down your travel pace and plan an authentic cherry blossom trip this spring. Immerse yourself in the tranquility and leisurely lifestyle of the Japanese and leave beautiful memories of this spring season.
Emerging Spring Spots Among Japanese Travelers
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Rank
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Location
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Growth Rate
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Cherry Blossom Bloom Month
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1
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Chitose
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319%
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May
|
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2
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Obihiro
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275%
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May
|
|
3
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Hakodate
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202%
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April
|
|
4
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Niseko (Niseko)
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177%
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May
|
|
Kagoshima
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April
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||
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5
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Okayama
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148%
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March
|
Lake Onuma in Kagoshima is Japan’s highest caldera lake. (Image provided by Hotels.com)
March Cherry Blossom Recommendation – Okayama
Skip the overcrowded hotspots like Kyoto and Osaka, and follow in the footsteps of Japanese travelers to the hometown of Momotaro—Okayama. Stroll along the 1-kilometer-long旭川 Cherry Blossom Path stretching from Horikawa Bridge to Aioi Bridge, enjoy a picnic under the sakura trees with friends, and embrace the laid-back pace of life.
Spring cherry blossoms, summer lotuses, autumn foliage, and winter snow—Korakuen Garden showcases different charms in every season. (Image source / MOOK Moleskine Publishing)
After your walk, visit the nearby Korakuen Garden, one of Japan’s Three Great Gardens, alongside Kanazawa’s Kenrokuen and Mito’s Kairakuen. With its elegant Japanese landscaping and scenic structures complemented by the cherry blossoms along the river embankment outside the garden, it’s a view not to be missed during the sakura season.
Okayama Korakuen Hotel. (Image provided by Hotels.com)
April Cherry Blossom Recommendation – Kagoshima
If you want to be among the first to see cherry blossoms in full bloom in Japan, consider visiting Kagoshima from late March to early April. Kumano Shrine in Kagoshima boasts a long history, and during cherry blossom season, its serene and traditional shrine approach becomes even more enchanting when framed by delicate pink petals.
Kumano Shrine. (Photo source / Kumamoto City Tourism Association)
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