If you're planning a trip to Japan, there's no better time to visit than during the sakura season. Sakura, or cherry blossoms, are one of Japan's most beloved natural treasures. Every spring, these delicate pink flowers bloom across the country, transforming Japan into a sea of pink and white. Hanami, the Japanese custom of flower viewing, is a time-honored tradition that dates back centuries.

The hanami period typically lasts from late March to early May, depending on the location and climate. During this time, locals and tourists alike flock to parks, gardens, and temples to admire the stunning cherry blossoms. The most popular spots for hanami include Tokyo's Ueno Park, Kyoto's Maruyama Park, and Osaka Castle Park.

The Japanese cherry blossom tree, or sakura tree, is an integral part of Japanese culture. Its fleeting beauty is often seen as a metaphor for the transience of life, and many Japanese poems and songs have been written about the cherry blossoms.

If you're lucky enough to be in Japan during the sakura season, be sure to take part in the hanami festivities. Pack a picnic, bring some friends, and spend an afternoon under the blooming cherry blossoms. You won't be disappointed. And even if you can't make it to Japan during the hanami period, you can still experience the beauty of sakura through art, literature, and music. Sakura truly is one of Japan's most enduring symbols, and a must-see for anyone visiting the Land of the Rising Sun.

Book Giorgio + Koharu - Japan Tour

14 days of Japanese experiences with native japanese guide

Places to visit: the futuristic Tokyo, traditional Japan Kyoto, natural and wild Hokkaido and Okinawa paradise islands.

Food and drinking experiences: Ramen, Soba, Sushi, Isakaya drinking bar, Karaoke

Traditional Japanese experiences: Shodo Japanese calligraphy, Ikebana flower lesson, fortune telling.

Japanese girl in Akihabara geek and otaku district in Tokyo

Explore Japanese destinations

  • Asakusa - Tokyo

    Asakusa retains the vibe of an older Tokyo, with traditional craft shops and street-food stalls along Nakamise Street near the ancient Sensō-ji temple.

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  • Akihabara - Tokyo

    Akihabara is a buzzing shopping hub famed for its electronics retailers, ranging from tiny stalls to vast department stores.

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  • Shinjuku - Tokyo

    Shinjuku City encompasses the buzzing clubs and karaoke rooms of neon-lit East Shinjuku and upscale hotel bars and restaurants in the Skyscraper District.

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  • Shibuya - Tokyo

    Shibuya is a center for youth fashion and culture, and its streets are the birthplace to many of Japan's fashion and entertainment trends.

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  • Ueno - Tokyo

    Traditional Ueno is known for ornate Shinto and Zen landmarks, including 17th-century Benzaiten temple, on an island in Ueno Park.

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  • Ginza - Tokyo

    Ginza is the luxury street of Tokyo, Japan. It is known for its department stores, high-fashion boutiques, and the city's best cafes and restaurants.

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  • Nippori - Tokyo

    In Nippori, as in the nearby Ueno area, there is an atmosphere of yesteryear, and the area has a more popular spirit than other Tokyo neighborhoods with ultramodern skyscrapers and metropolitan stimuli.

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  • Kamakura - Kanagawa

    Traditional Japanese city with semples and stunning ocean view.

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  • Sapporo - Hokkaido

    Sapporo, capital of the mountainous northern Japanese island of Hokkaido, is famous for its beer, skiing and annual Sapporo Snow Festival featuring enormous ice sculptures.

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  • Hakodate - Hokkaido

    Hakodate (函館) is the third largest city in Hokkaido, located on the southern tip of the island. Hakodate is best known for its spectacular views from Mount Hakodate and its delicious fresh seafood.

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  • Okinawa

    Paradise islands destination

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explore many other Japanese destinations in Japanese section here