Tokyo
| Place | Why go | Before you go |
|---|---|---|
| The Meguro River | Hundreds of cherry trees along both banks, lit by pink lanterns at night. | Late March and early April |
| Chidorigafuchi | Rowing boats beneath cherry branches hanging over the Imperial Palace moat. | By the palace gardens |
| Shinjuku Gyoen | Many cherry varieties blooming at different times, so the season lasts longer. | Closed on Mondays; timed tickets on peak days |
| Ueno Park | One of Tokyo's best-known cherry blossom parks, with a long path beneath the trees. | Ueno |
Kyoto and Osaka
| Place | Why go | Before you go |
|---|---|---|
| The Philosopher's Path | A walk of about two kilometres along a canal shaded by hundreds of cherry trees. | Kyoto, early April |
| Arashiyama | Cherry blossom on the river and hills around Togetsukyo Bridge. | West Kyoto |
| Osaka Castle Park | Thousands of cherry trees around the historic castle and its moats. | Central Osaka |
| Himeji Castle | The white castle among the blossom, one of Japan's finest spring scenes. | About 30 minutes from Osaka by Shinkansen |
Mount Fuji and northern Japan
| Place | Why go | Before you go |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Kawaguchi | Pink blossom on the lake with Fuji's snowy peak behind. | About 2 hours from Tokyo; early to mid-April |
| Hirosaki Castle and park | More than 2,500 cherry trees around the castle and its moats, and one of Japan's best-known blossom festivals. | Aomori; late April to early May |
South Korea
| Place | Why go | Before you go |
|---|---|---|
| The Jinhae cherry blossom festival | Korea's largest cherry blossom festival, with thousands of trees along roads, bridges and a canal. | Changwon near Busan; late March and early April |
| Yeouido, Seoul | A long road near the Han River lined with cherry trees, and a spring flower festival. | Seoul; early April |
Europe and America
| Place | Why go | Before you go |
|---|---|---|
| Heerstraße, Bonn | A pink tunnel of cherry trees over a street in the old town. | Germany; mid-April, for ten days to two weeks |
| Bloesempark, Amsterdam | More than 400 Japanese cherry trees in the Amsterdamse Bos. | The Netherlands; mid-March to April |
| The Tidal Basin, Washington | Thousands of cherry trees around the basin near the memorials, and a national festival every spring. | USA; 2027 festival 20 March–11 April; a US visa is needed |
Tips before you go
- Bloom dates change every year with the weather, and official forecasts come out a few weeks before the season, so keep your plans flexible by a day or two.
- The peak in each city lasts about a week, and the south blooms before the north: Tokyo in late March, Hirosaki in late April.
- Book your hotel early: cherry blossom season is one of Japan's busiest times.
Hotels in Cherry blossom
Flights to Tokyo
More places nearby
- Disneyland around the world
- Wax and illusion museums
- Aquariums around the world
- The world's best cable cars
- The weirdest places to visit
Visa
Frequently asked questions
When is cherry blossom season in Japan?
From late March to early April in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, and later in the north, in late April and early May.
Where are the most beautiful cherry blossom spots in the world?
The Meguro River and Shinjuku Gyoen in Tokyo, Kyoto's Philosopher's Path, Osaka Castle, Korea's Jinhae festival and Heerstraße in Bonn.
Is there cherry blossom in Europe?
Yes, in Bonn, Germany, in mid-April, and at Amsterdam's Bloesempark from mid-March to April.
What does sakura mean?
Sakura is the Japanese name for cherry blossom.
Planning your trip to Japan? Read Travel to Japan from Saudi Arabia.
Last updated: October 2026. The information is for guidance only; ticket prices and opening hours are set by each attraction and may change, so check them on the official website before you go.