Plan a Japan Cherry Blossom Trip 2025, Dates and Avoid Crowds

Admiring the beautiful cherry blossom is definitely the top thing to do when you plan a trip to Japan in spring. Cherry blossoms can be found almost everywhere in Japan. Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka are the top recommended places to see cherry blossoms, as they are the most popular destinations for first-time travelers.

March to May is the peak cherry blossom season in Japan. It is especially beautiful when the cherry trees reach full bloom in late March to early April. This makes Japan a perfect destination to spend your spring or Easter vacation.

Weather and Forecast for Cherry Blossom Season 2025

• Average temperatures for March to May: 10–18°C (50–64°F)
• Average rainfall: 120 mm (5 inches) — moderate
• Suggested clothing: T-shirt, jacket, thin coat, light trousers

The best time to see cherry blossoms is from late March to early April in major tourist cities, such as Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and Kanazawa. However, Southern, central, and northern Japan have different climates, so the blooming times vary, Japan's Sakura starts to bloom in January on the southern island of Okinawa and lasts until May on the northern island of Hokkaido.

However, the timing of the best cherry blossoms could vary slightly each year due to weather conditions, but it's generally similar from year to year. Therefore, we can expect the bloom period in 2025 to be similar to that of 2024.

The spectacular full-bloom scenery lasts for about 10 days in each location. Cherry blossoms in Japan reach their full bloom usually a week after they start opening.

See below a table showing Japan's cherry blossom seasons in different regions

What Are the Best Places to See Cherry Blossoms?

If this is your first time to Japan, we recommend visiting Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. These three popular tourist cities provide a wonderful introduction to Japan and boast numerous fantastic cherry blossom viewing spots. Also, they are conveniently connected via the Shinkansen (high-speed railway). 

If you have more than 7 days in Japan, you could also add Nara and Hiroshima.

Hotels around popular attractions  are always booked up quickly, So we recommend you book with us at least 3 months in advance to have the best chance of room availability and choice.

Hokkaido would be great if you want to avoid crowds of tourists and its ideal viewing time is from late April to early May.

Here are some suggested best cherry blossom places:

Tokyo

Tokyo not only has the most things to do for travelers to Japan but it also offers the most vibrant festival atmosphere for cherry blossom viewing.

There are various ways to relish the cherry blossoms in Tokyo. You could row a boat on your own to get close to the cherry blossoms in Chidorigafuchi, join the locals to have a picnic under the cherry blossoms in Ueno Park or Shinjuku Gyoen or enjoy a romantic stroll alongside the Meguro River to witness the stunning sight of illuminated cherry blossoms under soft pink lights.

These cherry blossom spots are easily accessible and you could explore 2 to 3 in one day. If you don't have much time, it is highly recommended to visit one of these three attractions.  See below some best attractions to see Cherry blossom in Japan:

1. Uno Park

Ueno Park is the most popular spot for seeing cherry blossoms in Tokyo — a lively and crowded place. It has more than 1,000 cherry trees, which are spectacular when they bloom together every spring. Lay out a picnic mat under a tree and enjoy the cherry blossom fluttering down in the spring breeze, as local Japanese do while eating snacks.

2. Shinjuku Gyoen

Located in the business hub area Shinjuku, this well-designed garden is one of the largest gardens in Tokyo, and it has about 1,100 cherry trees from 65 species that blossom in spring.

Shops in the garden offer cherry blossom-related desserts and handmade gifts during the period. It is dreamy to have a picnic on the garden's lawns and enjoy cherry blossoms in the warm spring sun.

3. Chidorigafuchi — Open in the Evening Too

Chidorigafuchi is one of the most picturesque cherry blossom spots in Tokyo. You can take pictures of the cherry blossom and the outer walls of Edo Castle, which enhance each other's beauty.

The cherry trees on either side of the road turn the road into a pink tunnel when in full bloom. Or you can take a boat ride on its lake… Boating while enjoying the cherry blossom along the shore is also a special experience.

Continue to read more details on Cherry Blossom Forecast 2025 Tokyo

Kyoto

Kyoto is famous for its old charm and unique Japanese experience of geishas. Kyoto's cherry blossoms offer the most beautiful scenery of delicate sakura (cherry tree flowers) against ancient buildings and within historical temples, such as Kiyomizu Temple and Fushimi Inari Shrine.

You may also be lucky enough to come across a geisha in a kimono walking in an old alley among cherry blossoms, which would be a sight to behold. Or you could enjoy a tea ceremony in an old teahouse while enjoying the cherry blossoms. The best cherry blossom spots in Kyoto include the Philosopher's Path and Kiyomizu Temple.

1) Philosopher's Path — A Footpath Lined with Cherry Blossom

Kyoto's best walking trail is a stone path along a canal lined with over 400 cherry trees. It is one of the most popular and pleasing of Kyoto's cherry blossom spots. On a fine day, each cherry blossom deserves close appreciation. If you get tired of walking, sit on a stool and look up at the pink landscape.

2) Kiyomizu Temple — an Ancient Temple with Awesome Views

As one of Kyoto's ancient shrines, Kiyomizu Temple is popular in all seasons, but especially during the cherry blossom season in spring and the red maple season in fall.

When the cherry trees are blooming, you can see a lot of girls in kimonos taking photos under the cherry trees. Don't miss an evening there during cherry blossom season, when the area is lit up magically.

3) Mount Yoshino, Nara — Great for Hiking among the Cherry Blossoms

If you want to be in right in the middle of A LOT of cherry blossom, Mt. Yoshino is the best choice. This mountain is not only suitable for hiking, but is also covered with 30,000 cherry trees making the mountain into a pink paradise in spring.

The whole mountain is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are some ancient shrines and temples on the mountain, which look serene amongst the cherry blossom.

Osaka

Osaka Castle is one of the three famous castles of Japan and it is top of the list of places to enjoy cherry blossoms in Osaka. The square around Osaka Castle is covered with cherry trees. Not far from the square around the castle, the old town merges with modern high-rise buildings and cherry blossoms — a mixture of tradition and modernity, nature and manmade items.

As night falls, lights illuminate the cherry blossoms and the castle, making an evening trip a delight also.

Nara

In Nara, the deer make cherry blossoms even more beautiful with their presence. There, deer gracefully wander amid the cherry blossoms, with delicate petals falling on their heads. In Nara Park, you would see gentle deer relaxing under cherry trees on the pink, petal-covered ground. As more blossoms fall around them, it makes for a dreamy pink landscape.

Nara is situated on the route from Kyoto to Osaka. It is very easy to incorporate it into your Japan trip.

Hiroshima

Honestly, Hiroshima is not a primary destination for viewing cherry blossoms. However, we suggest including it in your itinerary for trips exceeding 7 days due to its historical importance from World War II and the striking views of cherry blossoms near the war sites.

You could witness cherry blossoms in Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Itsukushima Shrine. The mix of serene shrine blooms and somber war sites creates a powerful and emotional scene.

Kanazawa

Kanazawa is a hidden gem, which is skipped by most travelers. The reason we recommend it is because it has similar beautiful cherry blossoms to those found in Kyoto, along with history, old wooden architecture, and exquisite gardens, but it has far fewer travelers.

The top highlights of Kanazawa include the Kenrokuen Garden and Kanazawa Castle. Both places have a lot of cherry trees.

If you have any other travel destinations in mind, let us know. We will help you create an itinerary and provide suggestions.

Top 3 Japan Cherry Blossom Itineraries

Due to high demand during the cherry blossom season, the prices of hotels and services are usually one to two times higher than in other seasons in Japan. A well-planned mini-group tour (4–7 people) is a cost-smart choice offering a better experience than big-group tours. Benefits include:

• The most competitive price without a big-coach-tour feel
• The best destination connections to maximize your time and comfort
• If your personal group booking reaches a minimum of 4 people, you can experience the personalized of a private tour at no additional cost!
• Cancellations received up to 3 weeks before departure are covered by our 100% refund promise.

Below we have outlined three cherry blossom tour itineraries, based on 7, 10, and 14 days of touring and hand-picked experiences, allowing you to immerse yourself in the best of Japanese scenery during the pleasant weather of spring.

1) 7-Day Cherry Blossom Itinerary: Essence of Japan

• Tokyo – Kawaguchiko (Mount Fuji) – Kyoto – Nara

7 days in Japan is just enough to explore the highlights in Tokyo and Kyoto. With this 7-day itinerary, you can admire the cherry blossom at well-selected locations in these cities, breathe in the fresh air of springtime nature, and experience unique activities for beautiful memories that will last for a lifetime.

3 nights in Tokyo: Wander through the oldest Sensoji Temple to experience the Edo (1603–1868) vibe, and engage in authentic activities such as sushi making to enrich your trip in Tokyo. Take a day trip to Kawaguchiko, the best place to visit Mount Fuji, to capture picturesque views of Mount Fuji and charming cherry blossoms in one frame.

3 nights in Kyoto: Stay at a traditional ryokan to experience Japanese accommodation, meander around the Fushimi Inari Shrine to see thousands of orange-red torii gate, take a rickshaw to visit the lush bamboo groves in Arashiyama, and feed deer in Nara.

Explore details on our 7-day Cherry Blossom Mini Group Tour

2) 10-Day Japan Cherry Blossom Itinerary: the Most Chosen

• Tokyo – Kawaguchiko (Mount Fuji) – Kyoto – Nara – Osaka

• 3 nights in Tokyo
• 3 nights in Kyoto
• 3 nights in Osaka

This 10-day itinerary is based on the 7-day itinerary with the addition of the city of Osaka. It's perfect for first-time visitors who want to cover the main highlights of Japan's "Golden Triangle" cities: Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka.

Osaka is a flourishing port city in central Japan, with a perfect blend of traditional and contemporary culture. You can explore medieval Osaka Castle, which will be surrounded by beautiful cherry blossoms, immerse yourself in authentic ukiyo-e printmaking to create a unique souvenir, and savor delicious street food like takoyaki (octopus balls) in the bustling Dotonbori district.

Like this itinerary? Contact us for inquiries Now!

3) 14-Day Japan Cherry Blossom Itinerary: Explore the Highlights More Deeply at a Relaxed Pace

• Tokyo – Kawaguchiko (Mount Fuji) – Yokohama – Kyoto – Nara – Hiroshima – Osaka

• 5 nights in Tokyo
• 4 nights in Kyoto
• 1 night in Hiroshima
• 3 nights in Osaka

This 14-day itinerary adds the two popular cities of Yokohama and Hiroshima to the 10-day itinerary, offering you a chance to explore Japan's second largest city by cycling and visit historical sites that mark the tragedy and chastened revival following the WWII atomic bombs.

Yokohama is located about 30 minutes from Tokyo by road. It is the most suitable area for cycling in Japan with specially-designed biking routes.

Hiroshima, located about 1½ hours from Osaka by Shinkansen, was the first of two Japanese cities bombed with an atomic bomb at the end of World War II. Visiting the site of the atomic bomb explosion (now radiation free) and exploring Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum is a great way to cherish post-war peace and witness the collection of items left behind after the attack.

How to Avoid the Crowds during Japan Cherry Blossom Season?

Traveling to Japan during the cherry blossom season is very popular, making it the busiest time to visit. What should you do if you want to see cherry blossoms but not amid the crowds? Here are some suggestions:

• Travel early in the morning or in the evening: There are usually fewer crowds early in the morning or in the evening. The cherry blossoms in some scenic spots look even better when lit up in the evening, such as at Chidorigafuchi in Tokyo or the Philosopher's Path in Kyoto.
• Avoid visiting at weekends: Weekends are often more crowded with local travelers. Many Japanese have a 5-day work and they travel to parks at the weekend for Hanami (a flower-viewing outing).
• Travel a week before the full blooms appear: The most-crowded period is, naturally, when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. Travel a week before because, although the trees are not in full bloom, the scenery during this time is almost as stunning as it is when the blossoms are in full bloom.
• Avoid the most crowded cities if possible: Kyoto would be the most crowded city during the cherry blossom season from late March to early April. If it is not your first trip to Japan and your main goal is to see the cherry blossoms, then you may skip it.

Hokkaido is also a good place to view cherry blossoms from late April to early May. In May, when spring is just beginning in Hokkaido, the crowds are not as big as they are in Kyoto and Tokyo in March/April and there is a lot of fun to be had. For example, you could experience the natural beauty of melting glaciers and enjoy authentic, refreshing Japanese beer in Sapporo's brewery after a vernal hike.

Book quickly for the last reservations in January. Just contact us for a tailored dream trip to Japan to see the cherry blossom in 2025.

Tokyo, Osaka, or Kyoto — Which Is Better for Cherry Blossoms?

These are actually the three most popular travel cities in Japan. They all offer great places to see Cherry blossoms. If it is for your first trip to Japan, we recommend you cover all. If you need to choose one or two among them, you should consider other factors such as the city's atmosphere and activities, rather than the cherry blossom viewing only.

Read below for our suggestions:

• Tokyo could be considered to be more modern with more vibrant activities, especially for children.
• Kyoto could be said to have more history and an older charm.
• Osaka has its own thriving port vibe and cuisine culture to be enjoyed.

For the cherry blossom scenery alone, Tokyo has more sakura ('cherry blossom') sites and activities, while Kyoto features cherry blossoms in many historic temples, shrines, and gardens, each exuding a distinct beauty.

Tell us your interests and preferences, and we would help to create a unique cherry blossom itinerary for you.

FAQs on Planning a Cherry Blossom Trip in 2025

How long in advance do I need to book my cherry blossom trip?

The cherry blossom season is extremely popular in Japan. Hotels around popular attractions are always booked up quickly and tourist guides, activities, and popular restaurants are also short in supply, so we recommend that you book at least 3 months in advance to have the best chance of room availability. Book Now to ensure the best chance of room availability and choice.

What is the weather like during the cherry blossom season?

During the cherry blossom season in Japan, expect warm days and cool evenings, with temperatures averaging around 10–18°C (50–64°F). The weather is mostly pleasant and sunny but you are still recommended to take a jacket as it may be chilly in the evenings or when you sit under the cherry blossoms for a picnic.

For those heading to Hokkaido, remember to pack a warm jacket to shield yourself from the cooler northern weather.

Should I choose a private or group tour to see the cherry blossoms?

Joining a group tour would lower the travel cost. As the cherry blossom season is very expensive, many travelers choose to join group tours.

However, if you want more freedom and to enjoy a flexible itinerary, a private tour is essential.

You might not be able to see the cherry blossoms at their peak in certain places. However, you are likely to find them in bloom somewhere during the dates above. Therefore, having a flexible schedule is very important.

Plan Your Cherry Blossom Trip in 2025 with Us

Let us help you plan your cherry blossom trip to Japan. See below some of our most popular cherry blossom itineraries.

• 7-Day Japan Cherry Blossom Tour 2025: Essential Mini-Group Tour
• Private 10-Day Japan Highlights and Cherry Blossom Tour

Or you could just contact us for a unique itinerary based on your preferences.