By Lim Yian Lu, 15 Dec 2025
Every spring, Japan slips into a pastel haze as sakura, or cherry blossoms, burst into bloom across its cities and countryside. For most of us, the sakura season is a chance to step into a world that feels delicate, whimsical, and irresistibly photogenic.
Planning a trip to Japan this coming sakura season? Here’s your all-in-one guide to turn your hanami (flower-viewing) dreams into reality.
When Is Sakura Season in Japan?
Sakura season sweeps through Japan like a gentle wave, beginning in warmer southern regions around mid-March. As temperatures rise, the blossoms gradually move north. Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka typically hit their peak from late March to early April, offering that magical window when every path becomes a tunnel of swirling petals.
If you’re travelling later, you can still catch the northern blooms in Tohoku or Hokkaido from mid-April to early May. While exact dates shift a little each year, full bloom usually lasts no more than a week – just long enough to fall in love with the fleeting beauty of spring.
The official forecast for 2026 hasn’t been released, but Japan Travel by Navitime has published some flowering date predictions based on the 2025 flowering records. Take these full bloom dates, when the cherry blossoms look the prettiest, with a pinch of salt:
Hiroshima – 2 April
Osaka – 4 April
Kyoto – 5 April
Tokyo – 30 March
Hokkaido – 28 April
Top Spots to View Sakura in JapanTokyo
In the capital, sakura season feels like a soft filter placed over the entire city. Chidorigafuchi comes alive with shimmering reflections along its moat, where boats glide under overhanging blossoms. Ueno Park turns into a lively corridor of pink, buzzing with picnics and music. Over at the Meguro River, lanterns, cafes, and shopfronts frame a long ribbon of cherry trees, making it one of the most cinematic places to wander at dusk.
Kyoto
Kyoto’s cherry blossoms feel like stepping inside a storybook. Maruyama Park’s iconic weeping cherry tree glows at night, creating an atmosphere that’s both romantic and serene. The Philosopher’s Path stretches alongside a quiet canal lined with blooms, perfect for slow, thoughtful walks. Meanwhile, Kiyomizu-dera’s wooden terrace overlooks a valley filled with blossoms, creating one of the most unforgettable views in Japan.
Osaka
Osaka blends food, fun, and flowers in its own unique way. Osaka Castle rises proudly from a vast park that becomes blanketed in cherry trees every spring, creating scenes that feel almost unreal in their beauty. Along the riverside at Sakuranomiya, long walkways offer an endless parade of blossoms, punctuated by the smell of street snacks and the hum of city life.
Hiroshima
Hiroshima’s Peace Park and Shukkeien Garden offer a quieter, more reflective backdrop for cherry blossoms. Just a short ferry ride away, Miyajima Island frames its famous floating torii gate with blooming trees, creating a truly iconic spring panorama.
Hokkaido
For those arriving later in the season, Hokkaido provides the final chapter of Japan’s sakura story. In Sapporo and Matsumae Park, the blossoms bloom as late as May, offering peaceful scenery and cool breezes long after the rest of Japan has moved on to early summer.
How to Dress for the Sakura Season
Spring in Japan is a refreshing break from Singapore’s humidity, but it does come with shifting temperatures. Layers are key: a light knit or long-sleeve top under a denim jacket or a breezy trench keeps you comfortable from morning chill to afternoon warmth. Comfortable sneakers make all the difference when you’re exploring riversides and parks for hours. A stylish cap or beret adds a cosy touch to your outfit, while a compact backpack keeps your hands free for photos.
And if you’re heading out for yozakura (night-time cherry blossom viewing), bring a warmer outer layer, as the temperature dips sharply once the sun goes down. I’d recommend bringing a windbreaker, as it’s usually the wind that makes the temperature feel colder than it really is.
How to Book a Cheaper Flight for the Sakura Season
Several airlines are already offering attractive fares for Japan in 2026, but the sakura season is also peak travel season, which means flight tickets won’t be cheap. The trick to shaving off some bucks from the fares is to pick travelling dates around the sakura season – flying in before the peak starts and out after the peak ends. You will also want to avoid the Golden Week in Japan, which falls on 29 April to 6 May 2026, as domestic travels usually surge during this period.
For instance, you can fly to Tokyo on 27 March and back the week of 6 April.
Skyscanner
Currently, only three full-service carriers and three budget airlines offer direct routes to Japan (Tokyo), namely Singapore Airlines, Japan Airlines, and All Nippon Airways; Scoot, Zipair and Air Japan, which is ceasing operations on 29 March 2026. If stopovers don’t bother you, try other airlines, such as Thai Airways or Vietnam Airlines, for a cheaper fare – more budget for shopping and eating in Japan!
Ready for Sakura Season in Japan?
Japan’s sakura season is an experience that blends culture, nature, and emotion in a way that feels almost otherworldly. From the iconic rivers and temples to the picturesque gardens and castles, 2026 promises another breathtaking year of blooms waiting to be discovered. Spring comes and goes in a heartbeat, so start planning, book early, and let Japan’s blossoms set the tone for your next great adventure.
AloJapan.com