Cherry Blossom in Japan

Japan is a country with a culture quite unlike the culture in the UK, offering a hotchpotch of culture and high technology. Geishas and tea ceremonies combined with high-speed trains and dazzling, colourful buildings.

The nature in Japan is unrivalled, and when the cherry blossom is in full bloom, it’s breathtaking! The cherry blossom bathes Japan in beautiful shades of pink, and it’s hard not to fall in love with the country.

What is the cherry blossom in Japan?

The cherry blossom, known as Sakura, is one of Japan’s annual highlights.

The Japanese and tourists flock to see the beautiful cherry trees which are in full bloom in parks all over the 3,000-km-long country.

The whole of Japan is in a state of exalted delight, and “Hanami”, the celebration of the cherry blossom, with picnics under the picturesque cherry trees, is nothing short of a public festival.

The cherry blossom is a national treasure, and the country is extremely proud of Sakura.

Why experience the cherry tree blossom?

The cherry tree blossom, also known as Sakura, is one of Japan’s annual highlights.

Here, both Japanese locals and international visitors gather around the beautiful cherry trees in full bloom in parks across this 3,000 kilometre long country.

What is the significance of the cherry blossom?

For the Japanese, cherry trees hold a special significance.

A large part of the Japanese population is connected to Buddhism, and one of the core ideas in Buddhism is the transience of life. The cherry blossom is a symbol of this very concept. The blooming period provides an opportunity to reflect on the beauty of nature and life in general.

Moreover, the cherry blossom also symbolises a new beginning, as both the school year and the financial year start on 1st April.

Lastly, the cherry blossoms have a commercial importance as well.

In Japan, supermarkets decorate their premises with plastic versions of the beautiful cherry blossoms. In many ways, it is reminiscent of the Christmas decorations with pine cones and other ornaments seen in supermarkets in the UK.

When will the cherry trees bloom in 2026?

If you wish to experience the breathtaking cherry blossom in 2026, you will need to show some patience. It’s incredibly difficult to accurately predict when the blooming will occur, as it heavily depends on the weather.

Since 1951, Japanese meteorologists have been monitoring the blossoms. Today, much like the country itself, the forecasts are high-tech in nature. Mathematical calculations are even a part of the equation for determining the exact blooming period.

There are general timelines, should you wish to plan your tour in advance. However, there’s no guarantee that the blossoms will adhere to these general flowering times.

Due to the size of the country, blossoming occurs at different times across the nation. The first bloom often appears in Okinawa in January. Sakura typically reaches Kyoto and Tokyo towards the end of March or the start of April.

If you’d like to keep updated on the 2026 cherry blossom forecasts, you can visit the website: https://n-kishou.com.

Where can you experience sakura?

You can experience the Japanese cherry trees blossom from north to south.

Below are some of the most wonderful places you can experience the blossom.

Kanazawa

In the town of Kanazawa, north-east of the capital, is one of the most beautiful gardens in all of Japan.

The garden, which is called Kenroku-en, features a geisha district and a samurai district. Compared to other attractions, the garden is visited by relatively few tourists, allowing for a true Japanese cherry blossom experience.

Tokyo

Ueno Park in Tokyo is a sublime place to experience the cherry blossom.

More than 1,000 trees adorn the central pathway of the park. In addition to the park’s beautiful flowers, several thousand lanterns light up the park. The Tokyo park is an extremely popular Hanami destination, so you should get there early to be sure of getting a seat under the cherry trees.

Kyoto

Cherry trees line the banks on both sides of the Kamogawa River. The former capital is a popular destination when the trees blossom.

The city’s 1,600+ temples make the location a beautiful place to experience the cherry tree phenomenon. One of the most popular and unique places to see the cherry trees in the city is an old Geisha house in the Gion district. You can also go for a stroll along the Philosopher’s Walk, which runs along a canal where several hundred cherry trees are planted.

Osaka

The two parks, Kema Sakuranomiya and the Castle Park, are superb places to experience one of the highlights of the year – the cherry blossom.

Some 5,000 cherry trees line the Okawa river in Kema Sakuranomiya. Why not experience the pink cherry clouds by boat?

In the large grounds surrounding Osaka Castle, more than 4,000 cherry trees embellish the park. It’s a beautiful sight when the castle is enveloped in pink flowers.

Hiroshima

Most people probably associate Hiroshima with the atomic bombing in World War II.

However, in Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, you can also experience the beautiful blossoming every year. More than 300 cherry trees have been planted in the park, standing in stark contrast to the park’s war memorials.

In Hijiyama Park, which affords views of the city, some 1,300 cherry trees stand ready to adorn the city. It is a popular place to celebrate “Hanami”.

Okinawa

The first cherry blossom appears on the island of Okinawa, located south-west of Tokyo.

One of the most scenic places to experience Sakura is at the ruins of Nakijin Castle, where cherry blossoms and lanterns form a tunnel.

Want to witness the cherry blossom in 2026?

Dreaming of experiencing the beautiful cherry blossom in Japan in 2026?

Sakura is a very popular event, so we recommend booking your tour to Japan well in advance.

Contact our experienced travel specialists today and get help finding the perfect tour to fulfil your travel dreams.

TourCompass – From tourist to traveller