Text/Photo report by MOOK Scenic Spots Travel Life Network, compiled by Ren Xiang
Cherry blossoms in Japan attract large numbers of tourists every year. (Image provided by Moleskine Editorial Department)
January to early March — Okinawa & Kyushu
Okinawa, located at the southernmost part of Japan, is the earliest region where cherry blossoms bloom. Okinawa’s Nakijin Castle is famous for hosting Japan’s earliest cherry blossom festival. Every late January, crowds flock under the blooming kanzan cherry trees, making Nakijin Central Park the liveliest during this time.
For those who’ve missed Okinawa’s blooms, keep an eye out for the upcoming kyushu cherry blossoms. Japan’s sakura forecast website predicts that Kyushu’s cherry blossoms will bloom around mid-March. In Fukuoka, the willows along the Yoshinogawa Canal sway gently, and during the season, rows of blooming cherry trees line the waterways, complemented by a variety of colorful flowers. Kumamoto’s Shimabara Castle, surrounded by floral beauty, attracts about 300,000 visitors each year. And in Oita, the Yufuin Onsen area, with its mountain-to-valley cherry blossoms and abundant hot springs, has become a favorite spot for young Japanese women.
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Late January is the busiest time at Nakijin Castle, with cherry blossoms in full bloom and crowds coming and going. (Image provided by Moleskine Editorial Department)
3Late February to early March — Chugoku, Shikoku & Kansai
By late March, the cherry blossoms move northward. Tokushima Central Park’s cherry trees tend to bloom earlier than other areas in Shikoku, with many family hanami scenes visible as early as early March. Okayama Korakuen Garden, known as one of Japan’s Three Great Gardens, boasts vast grounds surrounded by waterways and crisscrossing garden paths. The blooming cherry blossoms add a unique charm to the garden.
Kyoto has long been a famous hanami destination, with countless iconic spots such as Kiyomizu-dera, Arashiyama, Heian Shrine, and Kyoto Imperial Palace. Each cherry blossom season, these places are packed with people. Osaka in the Kansai region is no less popular — Osaka Castle and the Osaka Mint Bureau see many families picnicking under the cherry trees during this season.
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Kiyomizu-dera’s cherry blossom season is around March 22 to April 7 this year, with night viewing also available. (Image provided by Moleskine Editorial Department)
3End of March — Chubu & Kanto
By the end of March, the southern parts of Japan are already in full bloom, while the central and Kanto regions are just beginning to flower. Nagoya Castle is a renowned hanami spot, and like Osaka Castle, Nagoya Park is filled with cherry blossom viewers. In neighboring Mie Prefecture, Matsusaka Castle is also famous. Matsusaka Castle Park is covered in cherry blossoms when the season arrives, painting the park in vibrant colors.
As for Tokyo, readers are likely already familiar with it. Tokyo’s most iconic hanami spot is Ueno Park. Ueno Imperial Park, the largest park in Tokyo, sees its peak visitor numbers in late March during cherry blossom season. Nighttime hanami events, food stalls, and crowds fill the park to capacity. At Koishikawa Korakuen, the scenic tree-lined bridge offers ever-changing views that are truly delightful, and the park’s most famous sight is the century-old weeping cherry blossoms. Beyond the parks, the Meguro River, stretching nearly 8 kilometers, is lined with cherry trees on both banks, known as the “namiki” (tree-lined street), attracting many Tokyo locals during hanami season.
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Ueno Imperial Park’s cherry blossom festival is around late March to early April this year. (Image provided by Moleskine Editorial Department)
4Early April — Tohoku & Hokkaido
Tohoku and Hokkaido are the latest regions to bloom. Planning a northern hanami trip during early April’s spring break is also a great choice. Hirosaki Castle in Aomori Prefecture is one of the Tohoku region’s top three hanami spots, with 2,600 cherry trees. Taking a boat ride to view the blossoms is a uniquely charming experience.
Hokkaido’s Maruyama Park covers a vast area and features 1,500 cherry trees near Hokkaido Shrine, which burst into bloom in spring, making it a popular hanami destination in Sapporo. The most bustling time for Hokkaido Shrine each year is New Year’s visitation and the cherry blossom season. Hokkaido’s unique shibazakura (literally “grass flowers”), named for their ground-hugging, sakura-like blossoms (shiba means “grass” in Japanese), create dreamy pink carpets across several parks from mid-May to late June.
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The flowering period at Hokkaido Shrine is from late April to early May. (Image provided by Moleskine Editorial Department)
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