Spring Sakura
- Ondrey
- Mar 18, 2020
- 2 min read
Updated: Sep 26, 2022
Spring Time in Japan is a beautiful time to visit. Starting usually in Mid-March down south in Kyushu the Sakura blossoms (cherry blossoms) are seen blooming. By late March they have made it up into the Tokyo area as they continue North to Hokkaido. This wave of cherry blossoms is called the sakura zensen or cherry blossom front, mentioned on Japanese weather channels.
My first visit to Japan happened to fall in the month of March and at the end of my trip was the first cherry blossom blooms in the Tokyo area. Though it was still very chilly these pale pink blossoms brightened up the still dormmate trees surrounding them at the Imperial palace. While visiting I was able to participate in what is called Hanami (flower viewing) which many Japanese participate in by picnicking under the cherry blossom trees and socialize with friends and family.
Many cities will hold festivals as nearly 3 million tourists on average year arrive in Japan during the months of March and April to view the blossoms. Knowing when and where the best two-week span of cherry blossoms will be for your perfect picturesque scene is key. There are many great locations to see the cherry blossoms, below I've listed my top five locations from furthest south to north.
Himeji Castle, Hyogo Providence - The castle grounds have many beautiful views of the hundreds of cherry blossoms.
The Philosopher's Path - Also known as Tetsugaku no michi in Kyoto is an amazing path as you walk next to a mote lined with the cherry blossom trees.
Yoshinoyama, Nara - This location is arguably the best location to view the cherry blossoms in all of Japan. This mountain is speckled around 30,000 trees and many hiking paths to view them from.
Shinjuku Gyoen, Tokyo - Many visitors over looks this lesser-known park in the Tokyo area, that being said its normally less crowded, and with more than 1,000 trees to view.
Hirosaki Castle, Amori - This castle houses 2,500 cherry blossom trees and an amazing view of Mount Iwaki. You can view the blossoms from the moat when you rent a paddle boat to float around in.
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