To help you, I’ve divided this Ultimate 2023 Cherry Blossom Japan Guide into three main sections: Pre-trip Planning, Cherry Blossom Viewing Days Guide, and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). Pay special attention to the 2023 cherry blossom bloom dates!
Note: Will try to update this frequently to stay relevant!
Pre-trip cherry blossom season planning
Step 1: Know the cherry blossom forecast in Japan
Although the blooming season in mainland Japan usually starts from March to April, accurate forecasts are usually only released in February. If you are planning ahead, it is important to use the previous year’s cherry blossom bloom pattern as a guide. In any case, this is the latest forecast for 2023.
Latest Cherry Blossom Forecast – Updated on March 16, 2023
Latest Cherry Blossom Update March 16, 2023 – The Ultimate Japan Cherry
Blossom Guide_
Note: The dates shown on the map are the bloom dates, not the full bloom dates
Tokyo: March 14 for blooming, March 21 for full bloom
Osaka: Blooming date March 21, full bloom date March 28
Kyoto: Blooming date March 19, blooming date March 27
Nara: March 20, March 27
Wakayama: March 20, March 28
Nagoya: March 18, March 27
Hiroshima: Bloom date March 21, bloom date March 30
Nagano: Bloom date March 29, bloom date April 4
Niigata: Bloom date March 30, bloom date April 4
Yamagata: Bloom date: April 4, bloom date: April 8
Fukuoka: Flowering date: March 18, blooming date: March 26
Hakodate – Hokkaido: Bloom date April 21, bloom date April 25
Sapporo – Hokkaido: Bloom date April 25, full bloom date April 28
Weather changes can easily affect the blooming date, so while it is important to follow the general forecast, it is also important to keep up to date with the latest forecast as your trip approaches. Here’s a handy Japanese cherry blossom bloom gauge that you can use to monitor.
Step 2: Determine travel dates and places to visit
Japan Cherry Blossom Forecast Model – The Ultimate Cherry Blossom Japan Guide
Photo credit: Kishou
This may seem obvious, but making a decision is indeed much more difficult. As you can see from the forecast, the blossoms usually follow a pattern from south to north, which means there are plenty of dates and options for you to visit Japanese cities. Here are some tips.
Pro Tip 1: Skip Okinawa
Okinawa is located at the southernmost point and is the earliest area in Japan where cherry blossoms bloom. It is also commonly used as an indicator for mainland Japan forecasts. If you really want to maximize your chances, you’ll want to be in an area where you can easily walk around. Flying to Okinawa means you are stuck there for your entire vacation because there is no need to take another flight elsewhere to catch the cherry blossoms.
Pro Tip 2: Choose an area during the main cherry blossom season
Latest Cherry Blossom Update March 16, 2023 Osaka Focus – The Ultimate Japan Cherry Blossom Guide
Therefore, the most flexible plan is to set dates and locations before the middle of the season. According to the 2023 Japan Cherry Blossom Forecast, Osaka is a very good entry point as the bloom is scheduled to start around March 21 and bloom on March 28.
In addition to being a good hub for international flights, Osaka is also well connected to other cities in Japan by rail. This means that even if you miss the actual cherry blossom blooming period in Osaka, you can easily go cherry blossom hunting in a different city. Aside from cherry blossoms, Osaka is a city well worth exploring! Check out Universal Studios Japan’s new Super Nintendo World or the new Instagram-worthy place to visit, Osaka teamLab Botanical Garden.
Girls and boys at the entrance to Super Nintendo World – USJ Osaka Guide
Check out our 7-day Kansai itinerary for less than S$1.3k for fun things to do in and around Osaka!
Best Cherry Blossom Viewing Cities and Prefectures in Japan
If you still can’t decide, here are a few Japanese cities to help you out.
Tokyo
Tokyo Cherry Blossoms – The Ultimate Cherry Blossom Japan Guide
Photo credit: kazuend from Unsplash
Cherry blossoms in full bloom in Japan Tokyo Tower – Ultimate Cherry Blossom Japan Guide
The Tokyo Tower during spring. Image credit: Harold Wainwright from Unsplash
Best cherry blossom viewing spots: Shinjuku Gyoen, Ueno Park, Chidorigafuchi, Taito-ku Sumida Park, Inokashira Park, Meguro River, Yoyogi Park, Koishikawa Hourakuen, Iwamotoyama Park
If you are heading to Tokyo this year to enjoy the flowers, don’t miss the Ueno Cherry Blossom Festival, one of the largest cherry blossom festivals in Japan.
Ueno Park Cherry Blossom Festival Night – Japan Cherry Blossom Guide
Ueno Park takes on a very different atmosphere at night. Photo credit: Tokyo Cheapo
With more than 1,000 cherry trees planted along the 500-meter-long main street, Ueno Park receives about 1 million visitors every time the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. Stay on the street all night and enjoy an even more magical cherry blossom experience in Ueno Park.
Our favorite capital city is also the most interesting, boasting a myriad of subcultures. If you’re looking for a blend of tradition and modernity, then Tokyo is the place for you. Check out our latest 7 day 6 night Tokyo road trip itinerary to find our favorite things to do, see and eat in and around Tokyo!
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
