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cherry-blossom-in-japan

The ultimate guide to cherry blossom in Japan

By Marta | Asia, Japan | 11 comments | 5 April, 2017 | 1
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I have always dreamt of going to Japan. It seemed to me that it’s a country like no other, entirely different and mysterious. I started to become more and more obsessed about Japan. It got to a point when I would spend hours reading guide books and eating sushi at least once a week. I couldn’t wait any longer; I decided I just had to go to Tokyo to fully experience all its beauty and fun.


If you ever wondered when is the best time to visit Japan, make no mistake! May this picture be the perfect explanation why Japan is the most stunning place on Earth in the spring time – Cherry Blossom!!!

cherry-blossom-in-japan

In this guide, you will learn everything you need to know to plan a trip to see cherry blossom in Japan. I have also designed for you a special list with best Sakura (Japanese for Cherry trees) viewing spots in Tokyo and Kyoto. You can print it and check it on the go!

Contents

  • 1 Sakura & the tradition of hanami
  • 2 When is Sakura Festival?
  • 3 Where to see cherry blossoms?
  • 4 How to plan for your Sakura experience?
  • 5 Sakura + food = yum!
  • 6 PIN IT

Sakura & the tradition of hanami

cherry-blossom-in-japan

Hanami which in Japanese means exactly “cherry-blossom viewing” is a tradition that is centuries long. It is an annual celebration of welcoming spring and of appreciating the temporal beauty of nature and transience of life. The tradition of seeing flower blossoms has first originated with plum viewing (ume matsuri), later though cherry trees have completely taken over this tradition. Ume blooming still plays an important part in Japanese culture as it is the very first sign that winter is ending, and the early spring is coming. It is also the time for the first picnic of the year before hanami.


Coming back to hanami, every year people gather together with their friends, family or colleagues under cherry trees to enjoy food and drinks and to have fun. The celebration starts during the day but often is prolong until night, as parks in the major cities lighten up the trees after dark.

When is Sakura Festival?

One of the most common myths about cherry blossom in Japan is that it begins the end of March/beginning of April and it only lasts for two weeks.


That is simply not true! Japan is a big country, and there are cherry trees everywhere, from north to south shore! And they all bloom at a different time, as it depends on latitude, climate, surrounding, elevation and the variety of trees. So, even if you are late for Sakura in Tokyo or Kyoto, you can still catch it in the different parts of the country.


The best source of information is this website https://www.jnto.go.jp/sakura/eng/index.php where you can find a very precise sakura calendar.

Where to see cherry blossoms?

cherry-blossom-japan


If you have studied the Sakura calendar from the link above, you will know that you need to choose your location depending on your timing. Obviously, it is very hard to do, as you need to book your hotels way in advance before the calendar is even available. The main rule is that in Tokyo and other north locations the trees bloom earlier than in the south of Japan.


On this website, you can track the weather in the city of your choice:
http://www.japan-guide.com/sakura/


For the first timers, I highly suggest this order: Tokyo, Five Lakes and then Kyoto. It is amazing how many cherry trees you can find in the cities parks and how beautifully they look in combination with urban architecture.

cherry-blossom-japan


When I arrived at Tokyo Narita Airport, I was literally blinded by sakura flowers. They were everywhere – on the posters, magazine covers, store displays. Right away I felt I’m in cherry blossom paradise ;).


It was about 10 in the morning when I found myself at the bustling Tokio Station. I couldn’t check in yet at my apartment, so I left my bags in the locker and went straight to Chidorigafuchi. At first, it was not as easy as I thought. I was jet lagged after 13-hour fight, my knowledge of Japanese was close to zero (I know how to say ‘thank you’ and ‘hello’!), and I had no google maps..


That’s why I have created for you two checklists with best sakura spots to visit in Tokyo and Kyoto. You can print it and stop being dependant on streets signs (in Japanese ;)). You can download it by simply, clicking the image below.

How to plan for your Sakura experience?

cherry-blossom-japan


Cherry blossom in Japan is extremely popular not only among international travellers but also Japanese tourists! It is important to plan ahead if you want to have a wider choice of the places to stay but don’t have hopes for better prices. It is expensive! And you need to book well in advance not only to get a decent hotel or ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) but to get a bus ticket to a smaller city, like Fuji Five Lakes.


Pro tip: If all the tickets are sold out to Lake Kawaguchiko from Shinjuku, take the bus from Shibuya. It is much less crowded, and you can jump on even the same day!

Sakura + food = yum!

cherry-blossom-japan


After about 2 hours when my camera run out of battery and I got a bit hungry I went around the neighbourhood to check out some stores and restaurant. And I completely adored how all the locals were crazy about Sakura.


So there was: sakura wine, sakura chocolate, sakura tea, sakura cakes, sakura ice cream, I am pretty sure you could get nearly anything with sakura flavour. And yes, I was in heaven (plus there was sushi too πŸ™‚


I totally recommend trying sakura wine and Sakura kit kat! Basically, eat as much as you can in Japan!


Don’t forget to download the map with best places to see cherry blossom in Tokyo and Kyoto!

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Marta

Marta is the author of Where Life is Great - travel blog featuring unique adventures around the globe, travel tips, funny travel stories & one of a kind flight hacking course. She teaches how to live a life full of travels and how to find the sweetest deals for flight tickets.

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Merry Christmas from Mallorca πŸŽ„πŸŽβ€οΈ Merry Christmas from Mallorca πŸŽ„πŸŽβ€οΈ
And that’s another year around the sun πŸ₯³ Happ And that’s another year around the sun πŸ₯³ Happy birthday (belated lol) to me πŸ₯³πŸŽ‚πŸŽ‰πŸŽŠ All memories from 2022 before turning… πŸŽ‚ years old πŸ€ͺ

#happybirthdaytome #guatemala #miami #mallorca #ibiza #porto #warsaw #nyc #india #barcelona #recap #birthdaygirl #birthdayparty #2022recap #happybirthday #thatsmylife #travelblogger #travelgirl
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Seriously, we need more (any?) Christmas-themed bars in Europe! Am I right? πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸ»

πŸ“ Papillon, NYC 

#christmasinnewyork #christmasinnyc #happyholidays #merrychristmas #nycrestaurants #nycchristmastime #christmasinnewyorkcity #nycholidays #nycholidayseason #christmasinspo #prettycitynewyork #thisisnewyorkcity #explorenyc #nycgram #travelnyc #unlimitednewyork #newyorkcityfeelings #nycdotgram #nyc_explorers #nywinter #nycwinter #wildnewyork
It’s December 1st πŸ₯³πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸ» 🀩 β€’ β€’ It’s December 1st πŸ₯³πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸ» 🀩
β€’
β€’
β€’
β€’
#nycchristmas #nycchristmastree #newyorkchristmas #christmasinnyc #christmascity #nycholidays #christmastravel #christmasinspo #prettycitynewyork #explorenyc #nycgram #christmasinnewyork #newyorkcityfeelings #christmasinnewyork #unlimitednewyork
Try this easy travel transition next time you go o Try this easy travel transition next time you go on holiday ✈️#boatlife #sailing #travelreels #traveltransition
Imagine we entered when the park opened at 8 amπŸ™ˆ Despite the crowds, Krka National Park is beautiful and definitely worth visiting. The top attraction of the Park is its magnificent waterfalls, which are one of Croatia’s most famous sights 😍 #instagramvsreality #instagramvsreallife #travelreel
Watch meβ›΅οΈπŸ˜‚ #boatlife Watch meβ›΅οΈπŸ˜‚ #boatlife
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