Sarah Khan
Image credit: Trout Monroe
Let’s face it: there’s nothing quite like Japan in sakura season.
Hanami, which literally translates to “flower viewing”, refers to the Japanese tradition of enjoying the beauty of transient flower blooms.
Each spring, Japan comes alive with beautiful soft pink sakura blooms that crown the trees in parks, gardens and streets. Unsurprisingly, the sakura season draws admirers – both locally and abroad – and also inspires many celebrations, festivals and even Starbucks lattes. So iconic are the cherry blossoms to the nation that it’s almost impossible to think of springtime in Japan without conjuring an image of the country awash in a breathtaking shade of pink.
If you’re planning a trip to Japan this spring, ‘hanami’ should definitely be top on your agenda. Based on the blooming season patterns in 2018, here are the best places and times to travel to in Japan to enjoy the cherry blossoms season in 2019!
1. Tokyo (17 March – 1 April) 🌸
Image credit: Zengame
Full Bloom Date: March 24
Best Spots in Tokyo to Enjoy the Cherry Blossoms: Shinjuku Gyeon, Yoyogi Park, Ueno Onshi Park, Sumida Park
2. Osaka (20 March – 4 April) 🌸
Image credit: Photos of Ivar
Full Bloom Date: March 27
Best Spots in Osaka to Enjoy the Cherry Blossoms: Expo ‘70 Park, Commemorative Park, Kema Sakuranomiya Park, Osaka Castle Park
Image credit: madone85
3. Fukuoka (18 March – 4th April) 🌸
Image credit: Yasuhiro Itoi
Full Bloom Date: 27 March
Best Cherry Blossom-Viewing Spots in Fukuoka: Fukuoka Castle Ruins, Uminonakamichi Seaside Park, Nishi Park, San Hou Park, Atago Shrine
4. Hiroshima (22 March – 5 April) 🌸
Image credit: tattie muncher
Full Bloom Date: 29 March
Best Cherry Blossom-Viewing Spots in Hiroshima: Peace Memorial Park, Five-Storied Pagoda, Hiroshima Castle, Shukkeien Garden
5. Nara (23 March – 4 April) 🌸
Image credit: Wei Chun
Full Bloom Date: 28 March
Best Cherry Blossom-Viewing Spots in Nara: Nara Park, Yoshimizu-jinja Shrine, Koriyama Castle Park, Mount Yoshino
Image credit: Shin Suzuki
6. Okayama (23 March – 5 April) 🌸
Image credit: tatsushu
Full Bloom Date: 30 March
Best Cherry Blossom-Viewing Spots in Okayama: Okayama Korakuen
7. Fukushima (30 March – 14 April) 🌸
Image credit: juor2
Full Bloom Date(s): 6 April
Best Cherry Blossom-Viewing Spots in Fukushima: Natsui River Senbonzakura, Miharu Shidarezakura, Kasumiga Castle Park, Hanamiyama Park, Ogawa Suwa Shrine
Image credit: juor2
8. Nagano (4 April – 17 April) 🌸
Image credit: buts_zo
Full Bloom Date: 10 April
Best Cherry Blossom-Viewing Spots in Nagano: Takato Castle Park
Image credit: Ronald Woan
9. Aomori (17 April – 26 April) 🌸
Image credit: Shinya ICHINOHE
Full Bloom Date: 22 April
Best Cherry Blossom-Viewing Spots in Aomori: Hirosaki Park
Image credit: Flickr
10. Nagoya (19 March – 2 April) 🌸
Full Bloom Date: 27 March
Best Cherry Blossom-Viewing Spots in Nagoya: Nagoya Castle, Nagoya Peace Park
11. Kyoto (21 March – 3 April) 🌸
Image credit: Rurinoshima
Full Bloom Date: 28 March
Best Cherry Blossom-Viewing Spots in Kyoto: Heian Shrine, Daigoji Temple
Image credit: Vlad
12. Hokkaido (1 May – 13 May) 🌸
Image credit: yytx@shanghai
Full Bloom Date: 2 May
Best Cherry Blossom-Viewing Spots in Hokkaido: Noboribetsu Onsen Sakura Tunnel, Arashiyama Koen
If you really want to make the best use of your time in Hokkaido to enjoy the cherry blossoms, trust H.I.S International to plan your trip for you! Their 7d5N Hokkaido Floral ~A Date with Shibazakura~ will allow you to enjoy other flower extravaganzas at places such as Shibazakura Park and Kamiyubetsu Garden, and also immerse yourself in the other experiences Hokkaido has to offer like the Ikeda Wine Castle Tokachi.
13. Shizuoka (18 March – 4 April) 🌸
Image credit: yytx@shanghai
Full Bloom Date: 27 March
Best Cherry Blossom-Viewing Spots in Shizuoka: Shizuoka Sengen Park, Sunpu Castle Park
And there you have it: the prime spots and times for the best of Japan’s sakura season! Now, who’s ready for hanami hour?
