For thousands of years, people in Japan have been celebrating the coming of spring with sakura tree blossom-viewing festivals. This ancient tradition of enjoying the blossoms of the sakura trees is called hanami. The trees blossom at a different time each year, usually from March to April — or even May in some regions — starting in the southern part of Japan and moving north. This results in a different blooming period all across Japan and that means you have to plan your trip ahead of time carefully if you want to enjoy the peak blooming period. Here is a handy guide of the best hanami spots in Japan.

Ueno Park features 1,000 sakura trees lined alongside its central pathway. Other than serving as a magnificent spot for hanami, this park is also home to numerous museums including the Tokyo National Museum, among others. It is also home to the Ueno Zoo. Located right next to JR Ueno Station, you can easily visit this park if you have a Japan Rail Pass ready at hand, as it is valid for Shinkansen trains. If you want to take the bus, having a Suica IC card will make your trip even simpler.

The largest and most popular park in Tokyo, Shinjuku Gyoen is home to more than a thousand sakura trees of different varieties. Some of the sakura trees that grow here are cultivated from the early and late bloomer varieties, making this a perfect destination if you miss the peak viewing period. This park is located 5 minutes away from JR Sendagaya Station and is a 10-minute walk from Shinjuku Station. This train ride is covered by JR Pass.

Here, you’ll get the chance to experience a one of a kind hanami experience on a boat! The sakura blossoms are also illuminated until 22:00 so you can enjoy the magnificent view until the night. Moreover, after the sakura blossom season passes the petals fall from the trees covering the surface of the water, creating a magical scene. You can get here by walking for 3 minutes from Tokyo Metro Kudanshita Subway Station. This route is not covered by the JR Pass so it is recommended that you use the Suica IC Card.

The ruins of Fukuoka castle serve as a perfect backdrop while you enjoy your sakura blossom viewing. There are a lot of spaces available here for you to enjoy a picnic under the shelter of the pink flowers. Fukuoka Castle is located about 10 – 15 minutes away from the Ohori Koen Subway Station. Alternatively, there are a lot of local buses available from JR Hakata Station heading to the castle. The bus rides are not covered by the JR Pass.

One of the most popular hanami spots in Japan, Maruyama Park is home to a tall sakura tree that stands next to Yasaka Shrine. This tree gets illuminated from dusk until midnight, making it a perfect destination for late night hanami. You can reach this park by taking the number 100 or 206 bus from Kyoto Station, which is served by your Japan Rail Pass, Kansai Area Pass, or Kansai Wide Area Pass.

This two kilometers-long stone pathway follows a scenic canal which is lined by hundreds of sakura trees. Along the path, expect to find small temples and shrines along with several cafes and restaurants to relax in. You’ll also get the chance to visit Nanzenji Temple and Eikando Temple while taking the trail. Get here by riding the JR San’in Main Line to Enmachi Station (covered by the JR Pass)

Enjoy a view of the blooming sakura trees while learning about Hiroshima’s history at the Peace Memorial Park, located along the shore of Motoyasu River. To get here, you can ride the Meipuru-pu Loop bus from Hiroshima Station (covered by the JR Pass).

This small island located less than an hour away from Hiroshima is famous for its floating torii gate and shrine, offering one of the most picturesque views in the whole of Japan. You can enjoy the breathtaking scenery of more than a thousand sakura trees while you walk the trail around the island. The JR Pass covers the Ferry ride from Hiroshima to Miyajima, you can ride the JR Train from Hiroshima Station to Miyajimaguchi Station and take a 2 minute walk to the JR Ferry Pier

Located right in the middle of Nara, this park is home to almost 2,000 sakura trees along with hundreds of free roaming deers which you can feed. This park is home to many of Nara’s top destinations, including the famous temples of Todaiji Temple, Kasuga Taisha Temple, and Kofukuji Temple. Not only that, Nara National Museum is also located within the grounds of the Park. This park is located about 20 minutes away from JR Nara Station.

The historic castle ground is home to around 4,000 sakura trees. Nishinomaru Garden, which is located in the castle's western area, is the recommended place to lay down your picnic mat and enjoy your hanami. The closest JR Station to Osaka Castle is the Osakajokoen Station on the JR Loop Line. If you want to ride the subway instead, you can take the Tanimachi Line to the Tanimachi Yonchome Station (covered by the Osaka Amazing Pass and Osaka Metro Tourist Pass).

Home to around 4,500 sakura trees, this riverside park stretches for over 4 kilometers along the shore of Okawa River. The beautiful rows of sakura trees can be enjoyed by either walking or cruising the river by riding various ships that serve the route. This park can be reached by riding the JR Osaka Loop Line from Osaka Station for two stops until you get to the Sakuranomiya Station. Alternatively, you can ride the Keihan or Tanimachi lines subway (covered by the Metro and Amazing Pass).

Rightfully considered as one of Japan’s most beautiful gardens, you can find rows and rows of magnificent sakura trees blooming in mid-April. Several streams make their way across the garden, making the lush landscape even more majestic. You can also take a path uphill to have an overview of the beautiful garden. If you get yourself a Japan Rail Pass, you can easily get to Kenrokuen by JR Bus from Kanazawa Station’s East Exit Bus Stop Number 4.

The idyllic northern shore of Lake Kawaguchiko offers a magnificent view of Mount Fuji along with breathtaking sakura tree blossoms. There are also numerous museums and hot spring baths available in the area. Lake Kawaguchiko can be easily reached by bus from Tokyo (JR Pass is not valid on these buses).

The best option to enjoy the sakura blossom season in Mount Fuji Area is from the magical Chureito Pagoda, located in Fujiyoshida. You reach this pagoda by climbing the stairs from Arakura Sengen Shrine, covered by sakura trees all along the way. Once you reach the pagoda, you get to witness the majestic Mount Fuji in the distance, making for a truly epic sakura blossom viewing experience. Get here by riding the bus for 15 minutes from Kawaguchiko Station, covered by the JR Pass or the Tokyo Wide Pass. If you want to enjoy hanami while strawberry picking instead, you can opt to join another guided tour that will take you to Japan’s Fruit Kingdom, Mishima Skywalk, and even skiing in Mount Fuji.

The sakura blossom season reaches Hokkaido in May. The best place to enjoy the cold air of Northern Japan while viewing the sakura blossoms is from the Maruyama Park and Hokkaido Shrine, located directly across from each other. The park offers a spacious lawn for you to sit down and enjoy your picnic. This park can be reached by walking for only 5 minutes from the Maruyama-Koen Station (covered by JR Hokkaido IC Card - Kitaca).

To make the most out of your trip to Japan this spring, it is not a bad idea to go city hopping and hunt for the best cherry blossom viewing experience. A Japan Rail Pass ensures an efficient hassle-free journey as you move across different regions. It will give you the freedom to hop on and off any train operating within the JR Railway all across the country. It also offers access to unlimited Shinkansen rides except the Nozomi and Mizuho, various local trains, buses, and ferries. Get your Japan Rail Pass here: