When and where to see cherry blossoms in 2025 (& other spring flowers)

Japan's relationship with seasonal flowers is unlike anything else in the world. Hanami (cherry viewing) is as festive as the new year. New school year begins at that moment, making the comparison even more relevant.

And while cherry blossoms are the reference, I’m more of a wisteria fan. So if you want to avoid the crowd of the cherry viewing, I wrote about other blossoms too.

Cherry blossoms: Japan's most famous natural spectacle

Cherry blossom viewing (hanami) isn't just a casual activity in Japan — it's practically a national pastime.

When the sakura begin to bloom, parks fill with people enjoying picnics under the pink canopy, companies reserve spots for team-building parties, and news programs provide daily "sakura forecasts" tracking the blooming front as it moves northward.

What many visitors don't realize is how dramatically the timing varies across the country:

The sakura wave begins in late March in southern regions like Kagoshima and gradually travels north:

• Southern Japan (Kagoshima, Fukuoka): Late March to early April

• Central Japan (Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka): Late March to mid-April

• Northern Japan (Sendai, Aomori): Mid to late April

• Hokkaido (Sapporo): Late April to early May

This unique geography means you can actually "chase" the blossoms for nearly a month if you plan your itinerary carefully.

Tokyo typically sees first blooms around March 22-24, with full bloom approximately one week later. Kyoto follows a few days behind, usually reaching peak bloom around April 7-8.

The fleeting nature of cherry blossoms

Perhaps what makes cherry blossoms so special is their ephemeral nature. From first bloom to the petals falling typically spans just two weeks:

1. First bloom (kaika): When about 5-10% of the buds open

2. Full bloom (mankai): When 80% or more of the blossoms are open

3. Petals falling (hazakura): When petals begin dropping, creating "cherry blossom snow"

The full bloom period itself often lasts only 7-10 days before winds and rain bring the petals down.

This brevity is central to their cultural significance in Japan – they embody the Buddhist concept of mono no aware, the bittersweet awareness of impermanence.

Top viewing spots worth visiting

For the ultimate cherry blossom experience, these locations offer spectacular views:

Tokyo

• Ueno Park: Home to about 1,200 cherry trees and usually very lively

• Chidorigafuchi: The moat area around the Imperial Palace offers boat rentals for a unique perspective

• Shinjuku Gyoen: With later-blooming varieties, this garden extends the viewing season

Kyoto

• Philosopher's Path: A canal lined with hundreds of cherry trees

• Maruyama Park: Famous for its weeping cherry tree that's illuminated at night

• Arashiyama: Combine cherry blossoms with views of the famous bamboo grove

Off the beaten path

• Hirosaki Castle (Aomori): One of Japan's best cherry blossom spots with 2,600 trees

• Takato Castle Ruins Park (Nagano): Home to a unique variety called Takato-kohigan

• Mount Yoshino (Nara): With over 30,000 cherry trees planted across the mountainside

Beyond cherry blossoms: Japan's other spring flowers

While sakura get most of the attention, Japan's spring offers several other stunning flower displays:

Plum blossoms (Ume) – Late February to early March

• Often confused with cherry blossoms but bloom earlier

• More fragrant than cherry blossoms

• Come in white, pink, and sometimes red varieties

• Best spots: Kairakuen (Mito), Kitano Tenmangu (Kyoto)

Wisteria (Fuji) – Late April to early May

• Stunning purple cascades that can grow up to 2 meters long

• Best spots: Ashikaga Flower Park, Kawachi Fuji Garden

Azaleas (Tsutsuji) – Late April to early May

• Create incredible carpets of vibrant colors

• Best spots: Nezu Shrine (Tokyo), Shiofune Kannon Temple

Peonies (Botan) – Late April to early May

• Known as the "king of flowers" in Japan

• Symbolize prosperity and good fortune

• Best spots: Ueno Toshogu Shrine, Tsukuba Peony Garden

Planning your flower-viewing adventure

If you're planning a trip specifically for cherry blossoms, flexibility is your friend. Consider these practical tips:

• Build in buffer days if possible. Blooming can occur up to a week earlier or later than average, depending on weather conditions.

• Monitor forecasts from the Japan Meteorological Corporation as your trip approaches.

• Have a north-south strategy. If blooms are earlier than expected, head north; if they're later, head south.

• Avoid weekends at popular spots like Ueno Park in Tokyo or Maruyama Park in Kyoto, which become extremely crowded.

• Explore less-known viewing spots. While famous locations draw crowds, almost every town has its own lovely sakura spots that locals prefer.

• Experience yozakura (night cherry blossoms). Many parks illuminate trees after dark, creating a magical atmosphere with smaller crowds.

The deeper meaning

What makes flower viewing in Japan special isn't just the blossoms themselves but how they're woven into the cultural fabric.

These aren't just pretty flowers — they're timekeepers, marking the change of seasons in a country that has always lived in harmony with nature's rhythms.

In a world that increasingly moves at digital speed, Japan's flower traditions remind us of nature's own perfect timing and the beauty of slowing down to notice it.

Going further

For the most accurate and up-to-date bloom forecasts as your trip approaches:

• Japan Meteorological Corporation's sakura forecast (updated regularly from January)

• Weather Map's cherry blossom forecast

• Japan-Guide's sakura reports (includes on-the-ground updates and photos)

While timing your visit perfectly for full bloom is wonderful, the anticipation of buds opening and the wistful beauty of falling petals offer their own special charm.