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Where to Stay In Japan For Cherry Blossom Season

Where to Stay In Japan For Cherry Blossom Season

Last updated: 26 September 2022

Japan's cherry blossom season, which goes from late March to early April, is one of the most popular times to visit the country. This period is so popular that in 2019, around 5.7 million people visited from abroad, according to data from the Japan National Tourism Organization.

Needless to say, when traveling to Japan to enjoy the blossoms, it's essential to plan ahead and make hotel reservations at least 4-5 months in advance for popular areas. Here are some suggestions on where and when to stay in Japan for cherry blossom season.

Main image: PIXTA

When is cherry blossom season in Japan?

When is cherry blossom season in Japan?

Japan's cherry blossoms bloom from west to east in what's come to be known as the Cherry Blossom Front. Cherry blossom season starts from around mid-March to the end of April. Areas in higher elevations and toward the north see later blooms. Be sure to check out our Cherry Blossom Forecast for this year's latest bloom times.

Yearly blooming times
Western Japan (Kyushu - Fukuoka)
・Flowering: Around March 23
・Full bloom: Around April 1
Mid-Western Japan (Kansai - Kyoto/Osaka)
・Flowering: Around March 27
・Full bloom: Around April 5
Central Japan
・Flowering: Around March 25
・Full bloom: Around April 4
Greater Tokyo Area
・Flowering: Around March 22
・Full bloom: Around March 30
Northeastern Japan (Tohoku - Sendai)
・Flowering: Around April 8
・Full bloom: Around April 13
Northern Japan (Hokkaido - Sapporo)
・Flowering: Around May 2
・Full bloom: Around May 5

Where should I go for cherry blossoms in Japan?

Cherry blossom hotspots can be found in over 1,000 locations across Japan, so choosing just one best place is tough.

To help you whittle down your selection, we've made a list around Japan's most popular areas around major cities. From west to northeast, these include Osaka, Kyoto, Tokyo, Fukushima, Aomori, and Sapporo.

Each of these recommended places to stay has a rating of 8+ on Booking.com.

1. Recommended places to stay in Osaka for cherry blossom season

Cherry blossoms blooming around Osaka Castle.
Cherry blossoms blooming around Osaka Castle.

Osaka has a delightful mix of cherry blossom viewing locations that offer a representative slice of midwestern Japan with historical sites, modern neighborhoods, and mountainous surroundings.

Best areas for cherry blossoms in Osaka
Area
Famous cherry blossom places
Chuo Ward
Osaka Castle Park
Suita
Expo' 70 Commemorative Park
Miyakojima Ward
Kema Sakuranomiya Park
Tennoji Ward
Waso Sohonzan Shitenno-ji Temple

Recommended hotels near the cherry blossoms in Osaka

2. Recommended places to stay in Kyoto for cherry blossom season

Cherry blossoms blooming along the Keage Incline in Kyoto City. (Credit: Travelpixs / Shutterstock.com)
Cherry blossoms blooming along the Keage Incline in Kyoto City. (Credit: Travelpixs / Shutterstock.com)

One of the prettiest places for seeing cherry blossoms is Kyoto! Many of the famous blossom spots have weeping cherry trees and double-flowered cherry trees, making for breathtaking photos. Tourists are treated to the city's unique, luxurious annual blossom viewing when the trees reach full bloom in early April.

Best places for cherry blossoms in Kyoto
Area
Famous cherry blossom places
Arashiyama Area
Togetsukyo Bridge, Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama, along the Katsura River
Higashiyama Area
Kiyomizu Temple, Keage Incline
Sakyo Ward
Philosopher's Path

Recommended hotels near famous cherry blossom places in Kyoto

3. Recommended places to stay in Tokyo for cherry blossom season

Cherry blossoms blooming along the Meguro River in Tokyo.
Cherry blossoms blooming along the Meguro River in Tokyo.

Every spring, Tokyo is packed with visitors during the cherry blossom season. Between the end of March and the beginning of April, Tokyo's cherry trees are in bloom, transforming Tokyo into a pink-petaled wonderland.

While you can enjoy Tokyo's cherry blossoms in a number of different parks and neighborhoods, some of the most famous areas can be found on Tokyo's east side in Taito City; the west side, in Meguro City; and around the Imperial Palace near Tokyo Station in Chiyoda City.

Best places for cherry blossoms in Tokyo
Area
Famous cherry blossom places
Taito City
Ueno Park, Asakusa (Sumida Park)
Shinjuku City
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
Meguro City
Meguro River
Chiyoda City
Chidorigafuchi Moat

Recommended hotels near famous cherry blossom places in Kyoto

  • MIMARU TOKYO UENO EAST
    MIMARU TOKYO UENO EAST
  • Mitsui Garden Hotel Ueno
    Mitsui Garden Hotel Ueno
  • Odakyu Hotel Century Southern Tower
    Odakyu Hotel Century Southern Tower
  • Hotel Gracery Asakusa
    Hotel Gracery Asakusa

4. Recommended places to stay in Fukushima Prefecture for cherry blossom season

Cherry blossoms framing Tsuruga Castle in Fukushima's Aizu-Wakamatsu City.
Cherry blossoms framing Tsuruga Castle in Fukushima's Aizu-Wakamatsu City.

Japan's northeastern region, known as Tohoku, is comprised of six prefectures: Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, Akita, Yamagata, and Fukushima. Although each prefecture has incredible sights in spring (such as Kakunodate Samurai Residences in Kakunodate, Akita, and Hirosaki Castle Park in Aomori), Fukushima Prefecture is home to Miharu Takizakura, one of the Five Great Sakura Trees of Japan, and a host of other pretty blossom spots worth checking out.

Best places for cherry blossoms in Fukushima Prefecture
Area
Famous cherry blossom areas
Miharu
Miharu Takizakura
Kitakata
Nicchu Line Memorial Walkway
Aizu-Wakamatsu
Tsuruga Castle

Recommended hotels near famous cherry blossom places in Fukushima

  • Irorinoyado Ashina
    Irorinoyado Ashina
  • Kutsurogijuku Chiyotaki
    Kutsurogijuku Chiyotaki
  • Daiwa Roynet Hotel Koriyama Ekimae
    Daiwa Roynet Hotel Koriyama Ekimae
  • Onyado Toho
    Onyado Toho

5. Recommended places to stay in Aomori for cherry blossom season

5. Recommended places to stay in Aomori for cherry blossom season

Aomori is the northernmost prefecture on the main island of Japan, and the cherry blossoms bloom in mid-late April.

You may have heard of Hirosaki Park’s cherry blossom festival before, which is considered one of the best places for cherry blossoms in Aomori and among Japan's Top 100 famous blossom spots. If you are planning a visit to Aomori in spring, be sure to add this area to your list.

Best areas for cherry blossoms in Aomori
Area
Famous cherry blossom places
Hirosaki
Hirosaki Park, Hirosaki Castle, The World's Longest Cherry Blossom-Lined Road
Lake Ashi
Ashino Park
Towada City
Kanchogai-dori cherry blossoms

Recommended hotels near the cherry blossoms in Aomori

6. Recommended places to stay in Akita for cherry blossom season

Credit: PIXTA
Credit: PIXTA

Akita Prefecture is situated among the mountains of northern Honshu in the Tohoku region. Given its location, cherry blossom season comes somewhat later, from mid to late April.

Akita has a scattering of famous cherry blossom places. One of the most highly recommended areas is the samurai avenue in Kakunodate, called Bukeyashiki-dori. The Kakunodate-cho Sakura Festival (held from late April to early May), is worth checking out, with the classic samurai residences and pink cherry blossoms combine to create a beautiful Japanese atmosphere.

Best areas for cherry blossoms in Akita
Area
Famous cherry blossom places
Semboku City
Kakunodate Bukeyashiki-dori, Hinokinai Riverbank

Recommended hotels near the cherry blossoms in Akita

7. Recommended places to stay in Hokkaido for cherry blossom season

Cherry blossoms ringing Goryokaku Park in Hakodate City.
Cherry blossoms ringing Goryokaku Park in Hakodate City.

As mentioned previously, Japanese cherry blossoms bloom from south to north, so the country's northern island of Hokkaido sees blooms just as the main island is approaching early summer.

Enduring the long and harsh winter, Hokkaido sakura creates a simple scenery of spring emanating a rustic beauty. While there are many beautiful places for seeing cherry blossoms in Hokkaido, the cities of Sapporo and Hakodate have a number of beautiful places to enjoy them, making them great bases for your visit.

Best places for cherry blossoms in Hokkaido
Area
Famous cherry blossom spots
Sapporo
Maruyama Park, Moerenuma Park, Odori Park
Hakodate
Goryokaku Park

Recommended hotels near famous cherry blossom places in Hokkaido

*This information is from the time of this article's publication.
*Prices and options mentioned are subject to change.
*Unless stated otherwise, all prices include tax.

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