Japan Cherry Blossom - Now that Japan is welcoming travelers again, are you excited to visit Japan again? Visiting Japan in December is slightly expensive due to the suddenly rising post-opening demand, but no worries, you can still make it in time to plan for 2023’s Japan Cherry Blossom season!

The season doesn’t start until March, so you still have plenty of time to plan and book cheap flights, hotels, attractions, and tours. We’re here to introduce when the Sakura blooms in curated locations, the best places to experience the Japan sakura season, and what you can do while you are there. Without further ado, let the journey begin.

Forecast: Flowering on 20 March, full bloom on 27 March

To start off, one of the best places to witness Japan’s sakura season is Tokyo’s Ueno Park. Home to over a thousand cherry trees, you can literally see the park transform into a sea of cherry blossoms in late March.

Next is the Imperial Palace East Garden. Containing about 21 hectares of land, the East Gardens draws many visitors during the cherry blossom season. You can stroll through the grounds and lawns while enjoying the sakura season.

Not to forget the Chidori-ga-fuchi. With a 700-meter-long lush walkway along the Imperial Palace, the Chidori-ga-fuchi is perfect for viewing the Sakura trees. The trees are also illuminated at night, so it’ll be just nice for a romantic stroll.

So, what else can you do in Tokyo? The first that comes to mind will always be the Tsukiji morning market. Tsukiji is one of the biggest fish markets located in central Tokyo, with about 400 shops on the streets selling fresh and seasonal foods every day!

Asakusa, which is located in the center of Tokyo’s ‘low city’ is definitely a must-visit too! One of Asakusa’s main attractions is the Senso-ji Buddhist temple, built in the 7th century, along with its delicious local delicacies at Nakamise street and Japanese trinkets!

One can never forget about Sanrio Puroland’s indoor theme park, where you’ll get to experience tons of amazing rides and attractions inspired by the Sanrio characters, such as Hello Kitty, My Melody, and Jewelpet. Also, don’t forget to get to the top of Tokyo Skytree Tower, especially during the cherry blossom season, where you’ll get to see the beautiful pinkish Tokyo.

This 4-star hotel is located in Shibuya, Tokyo, so it is going to be the best choice for you. In Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel, you can experience elegance in every spot, especially the rooms. They are all spacious and they will provide you with the best view, since all the rooms are placed from the 19th floor and above. Fitness and spa is available for you, and the restaurants and bars are plenty!

Forecast: Flowering on 21 March, full bloom on 29 March

One of the best places to experience Japan’s cherry blossom is Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park where about 300 trees are planted throughout the park, especially along the river walk.

Next on our list is the Shukkei-en Garden which has various kinds of cherry trees waiting to bloom during the Sakura season. The gardens are open during the day, however, they will also be closed for a short while to prepare for the amazing nighttime opening.

Senkoji Temple Park is also one of the best spots in Hiroshima to view the Sakura blossom, especially if you want to see a park blanketed with pink pedals. Located midway up on Mount Senkoji, this park contains a variety of cherry trees awaiting you!

While you’re already at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park for Sakura blossom viewing, make sure to also visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. You can also visit Miyajima in which the Itsukushima Shrine (UNESCO World Heritage Site) is located. Don’t forget to take a look at the famous Torii gate and munch on fresh seafood sold along the island!

There is also an island where rabbits rule, named the Okunoshima, just two miles away off the coast of Takehara in Hiroshima Prefecture! If you love rabbits, then this is the place.

When you finally decide to stay in Hiroshima, you should check Sheraton Grand Hiroshima. The hotel is very luxurious and strategically located. It is located adjacent to the JR Hiroshima Station, so it will be easy to get anywhere, especially with direct access! The accommodations are neat and comfortable. The restaurants here are tempting too. Try Bridges that serves international cuisine, ready to welcome you from breakfast to dinner!

Forecast: Flowering on 23 March, full bloom on 30 March

Stretching out to over four kilometers along the Ogawa River, Kema Sakuranomiya Park is the first place you should visit in Osaka if you’re looking for a destination filled with densely lined cherry blossom trees.

Next on our list is the Osaka Expo 70 Commemorative Park, with its 5,500 cherry blossom trees scattered throughout the large lawn area.

Not to forget the famous Osaka Mint Bureau, which has over 300 cherry trees standing on its premises. Going there will allow you to witness over 100 cherry varieties with more than five petals per blossom during Japan’s cherry blossom season!

First and foremost, you should get yourself an Osaka Amazing Pass and experience Osaka’s top attractions, such as the Umeda Sky Building KUCHI-TEIEN OBSERVATORY, Koji Kinutani Tenku Art Museum, HEP FIVE Ferris wheel, 48 more!

Love getting your adrenaline pumped? Visit the all-famous Universal Studio Japan (USJ) and reenact the scenes of Harry Potter in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and the newly opened Nintendo World for all Nintendo games lovers!

Last but not least is Osaka’s KAIYUKAN Aquarium, which is coined as the world’s largest aquarium. With its 15 large tanks housing a variety of ocean life species from the Pacific Rim, this aquarium will truly give you an exciting experience throughout your day.

The highlight of Hotel Nikko Osaka is the location that is perfect for shoppers! It is located in the Minami area, where all the shops are within walking distance. The guest rooms are guaranteed to make you feel relaxed. If you choose the rooms on a higher level, you can enjoy the view of Mount Ikoma or Kobe and Osaka Bay from your own window.

Forecast: Flowering on 24 March, full bloom on 30 March

At the top of our list, we highly recommend that you visit Tetsugaku No Michi, also known as the Philosopher Path. With over hundreds of cherry blossom trees, you will be able to experience the sakura blooming of the 2-kilometer-long path of Tetsugaku No Michi, making the whole lane pinkish.

Other than that is the Maruyama Park next to the Yasaka Shrine in the Higashiyama District. Although the park is filled with cherry blossom trees, what stands out the most is the tall Shidarezakura that lies in the centerpiece of the park, which gets lit up at night.

Let’s not forget about the classic scene of the cherry trees blooming before the five-storied pagoda at the Toji Temple, also known as the 130-year-old shidare-zakura weeping cherry. If you’re looking to take amazing pictures, this is a must-visit!

As a traveler, you definitely want to experience the pleasant Arashiyama on the western outskirts of Kyoto. Aside from the well-known Togetsukyo Bridge, there are also many small shops and restaurants serving local delicacies, their famous bamboo groves, and boats that are ready to rent on the river.

When you’re in Kyoto, renting a Kimono is a must, especially during the Sakura season! Thus, you should definitely head out to Rikawafuku Kiyomizu, a Kyoto kimono rental shop with over 300 unique kimonos that you couldn’t find anywhere else! The best part of it? It’s just a 4-minute walk from the Kiyomizu Temple!

Next is the Nishiki Market, a narrow street along the five-block-long shopping street lined with over a hundred stalls and restaurants awaiting you to explore! From fresh seafood to Kyoto seasonal foods, this place has everything you never thought you’d like to experience.

Get yourself a nice rest in Kyoto Tokyu Hotel, a 4-star hotel with perfect accommodations and restaurants that offer menus with spectacular taste. Plenty choices of rooms makes Kyoto Tokyu Hotel the perfect place for everybody. There are rooms with three beds and there are even rooms for single trippers. When you stay here, you can pamper your palate in the all day dining restaurant, Kazahana. Or, you can enjoy the time of your life at the Rooftop Bar.

You can still catch the very last bit of the Sakura season in Sapporo, Hokkaido, which will start flowering on 23 April and go into full blossom on 25 April.

You know that you can always count on Traveloka to give you an amazing deal, especially on an outbound trip, such as Japan. Start booking your flights, hotels, attractions, and tours and plan your trip to experience the Sakura season without breaking your wallet today!

Not only Japan Cherry Blossom articles! We also provide the best articles about Japan for you guys to read. Let’s check our articles: