Cherry blossom season in Japan is a magical time to visit, and fortunately for travelers, it’s possible to chase the cherry blossoms for months across the country. That’s right, the tourist influx that arrives in April and May in Tokyo and Kyoto doesn’t have to be a problem for travelers who want a more authentic experience in Japan. Here are 10 tips for chasing Sakura season across the country to see them for months on end.
10 Start In The South
Travelers who want to make the most of cherry blossom season in Japan can start on the southern island of Kyushu and journey north from there. Cherry blossoms in Kyushu begin blooming as early as late March, allowing travelers visiting in early spring to get a taste of the Sakura season without the crowds of tourists that arrive in Kyoto in April.
9 Purchase A Japan Rail Pass
For international visitors, Japan offers the option of purchasing a Japan Rail Pass for getting around the country. The JR Pass is a great deal that helps travelers save on the cost of high-speed trains by paying a set fee for a pass that is valid for 7, 14, or 21 days.
The pass must be applied for and purchased in a traveler’s home country before departure. Then they pick up their pass at a JR Station upon arrival and activate it.
8 Plan Your Arrival Date Accordingly
Travelers should choose their arrival date carefully depending on where in the country they plan to start their sightseeing journey. Visitors who are hoping only to see cherry blossoms in Kyoto, Tokyo, and Osaka won’t want to arrive any earlier than April to see the flowers in full bloom. However, visitors who are flying into Fukuoka and spending time in Kyushu may miss the cherry blossoms entirely if they arrive too late in the season. For those heading north to Hokkaido, planning arrival dates in May still means seeing the flowers at their best.
7 Give Yourself At Least 2 Weeks (But Preferably More)
Exploring Japan in cherry blossom season and following the blooms across the country is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. To avoid feeling rushed, travelers who are hoping to see cherry blossoms in more than one part of the country should plan a trip of at least two weeks, but ideally longer. Starting in Fukuoka, it’s easy to spend at least 5–7 days exploring Kyushu before venturing north to the main island of Honshu.
Once there, travelers can easily spend 10–14 days touring the Kansai region of Japan and Tokyo. To visit other parts of the country, like Nagano in the Japanese Alps, historic Takayama, or Hokkaido in the north, travelers will need at least another week on top of that.
6 Book Accommodation Well In Advance
Cherry blossom season is the peak time of year to visit Japan which means tourism is booming and accommodation is a hot commodity. Therefore, it’s unsurprising that many hotels book up to 12–18 months ahead of time. This is especially true in popular destinations like Kyoto, Osaka, and Tokyo. To avoid being stuck without somewhere to sleep or paying outrageous prices at the last minute, travelers should book their accommodation as far in advance as possible.
5 Avoid Crowds By Going Far North Or South
Travelers who don’t want to deal with the huge crowds that the cherry blossoms in Japan attract in April and May should get off the beaten path. Instead of focusing the trip around Kyoto, Osaka, and Tokyo, chase cherry blossoms in southern Kyushu during March or Hokkaido in May.
4 Check The Cherry Blossom Forecast Before Visiting
Japan has an official Cherry Blossom Forecast each year that tells travelers useful information about how best to see the flowers in full bloom. The forecast includes details like which dates the blooms start opening in each major city and when they’ll be in full bloom to help visitors plan their trip accordingly. Be sure to check it out before departure!
3 The Biggest Cherry Blossom Festival Is In Tokyo
The best way to experience the full effect of cherry blossom season in Japan is to attend one of the country’s many cherry blossom festivals. The Ueno Cherry Blossom Festival is one of the biggest in the country and takes place in Tokyo. At the festival, guests participate in Hanami, which means flower viewing. Hanami offers a chance to reflect on the value of nature.
The festival takes place an Ueno Park in Toyko, and admission is free. The festival in 2023 opens on March 17th and runs through early April.
2 If Visiting In Winter, Head To Okinawa For Cherry Blossoms
As early as January, travelers can see cherry blossoms on the island of Okinawa. This means that even visiting Japan in the winter offers a chance to experience the Sakura season. Okinawa is an island off the coast of mainland Japan and is sometimes called the “Hawaii of Japan” because of its lush greenery and subtropical climate.
1 Pack A Jacket
Unless travelers are heading to Okinawa, cherry blossom season in Japan still requires a jacket for comfort. Although pictures online of sunshine and pink flowers might make it look warm, temperatures in Kyoto in March only reach an average high of 14ºC during the day and in April, while the high is up to 20ºC, the average daily low temperature is around 8ºC.