When and where to see sakura in Japan this year
Book various activities and tours during this time.
Japan lovers, listen up! The Japan Meteorological Corporation recently announced the forecast on when cherry blossoms will bloom in various parts of Japan.
In general, the peak season for hanami, literally viewing flowers in Japanese, which in this case is the cherry blossoms, is between late March and early April. The sakura season in southern Japan (Kagoshima, Fukuoka) will usually start to bloom first, followed by those on Japan’s main island (Osaka, Kyoto), and lastly northern Japan (Hokkaido).
However, the blooming time is also affected by the sakura species, the exact location of the sakura (hence the temperature of the environment), and fluctuations in temperature. As such, the forecast only serves as a guide for when the sakura may bloom and not its exact flowering date.
After the first bloom, the cherry blossoms will reach their full bloom in about a week. The full bloom — when the sakura looks the most beautiful — will continue to last for about two weeks.
Below is the Japan Meteorological Corporation's official cherry blossom forecast for this year, as of 11 January 2023, and some of the top spots and tours (listed by regions) to see these magnificent blooms, which you can book on KKday Singapore.
City (from northeast to southwest): First Bloom (Full Bloom)
Sapporo: 2 May (5 May)
Aomori: 22 April (26 April)
Sendai: 8 April (13 April)
Tokyo: 22 March (30 March)
Kanazawa: 4 April (10 April)
Nagano: 9 April (15 April)
Nagoya: 25 March (4 April)
Kyoto: 27 March (5 April)
Osaka: 28 March (5 April)
Wakayama: 27 March (4 April)
Hiroshima: 26 March (4 April)
Kochi: 22 March (30 March)
Fukuoka: 23 March (1 April)
Kagoshima: 27 March (7 April)
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Start your year by planning your travels for 2023!
HOKKAIDO (SAPPORO) & TOHOKU (AOMORI, SENDAI)
Hokkaido Goryokaku Tower Ticket
[2023 Cherry Blossom Season] Northeast One-Day Tour | Zao Snow Wall & Ogawara Thousand Cherry Trees | Departure from Sendai
KANTO (TOKYO)
[Japanese Cherry Blossom Season Limited] Tokyo Suburb Miura Cherry Blossom Viewing, Strawberry All You Can Eat, Tuna Fish Market Chartered One-day Tour (Six or Nine-person Small Group)
Tokyo Cherry Blossoms & Rapeseed Blossoms One-Day Tour｜Taihei Mountain Cherry Blossom Tunnel & Gongendo Sakura Bank & Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine
Tokyo Cherry Blossom Watching Tour: Odawara Castle, Hakone Sightseeing Cruise & Arakurayama Sengen Park
CHUBU (KANAZAWA, NAGANO, NAGOYA)
Izu Cherry Blossom One-day Tour | Strawberry Picking at Izu Fruit Park, Kawazu Sakura, Sakura no Sato, Joren Waterfall | Departure from Shinjuku
Kawazu Sakura Festival, enjoy Japanese set lunch and strawberry picking!
[Japan] Cherry Blossom Viewing, Plum Blossom Viewing, Rapeseed Blossom Hot Spring 2-Day Tour｜Izu Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival & Miura Kaigan Kawazu Sakura & Rapeseed Flower Field & Atami Plum Forest｜Departure from Tokyo
Okazaki Sakura Festival with Boating and Enjoy Lighted Up Sakura
Nagoya Castle and Shirotori Park with Beautiful Sakura Views
Experience of Inuyama Festival with the Castle and Sakura Views
KANSAI (KYOTO, OSAKA, WAKAYAMA)
The Great Buddha of Sakura and Beautiful Mount Yoshinoyama Nara
Kansai Cherry Blossom One-Day Tour｜Sakura Viewing Boat by Water Bus, Cherry Blossom Tunnel at Ogawarte Tsuki, Thousand Cherry Blossoms in Osaka Castle Park, Uji Walking Tour in Kyoto｜Departure from Osaka
[Japan Cherry Blossom Season Limited] Nara Yoshino Cherry Blossom One-day Tour｜Osaka Departure from Shinsaibashi
CHUGOKU (HIROSHIMA) & SHIKOKU (KOCHI)
Kintaikyo Bridge and Hiroshima city Cherry Blossom 1 Day Tour from Hiroshima
Okayama Cherry Blossom 1 Day Walking Tour with Boat Ride Experience and Town Strolling Coupon
KYUSHU (FUKUOKA, KAGOSHIMA)
Kokura Castle Cherry Blossom, Mojiko Retro & Kimono Wearing Experience
Nokonoshima BBQ Party, Cherry Blossom & Nanohana Wonderful Trip
Check airfare here: Skyscanner | Trip.com | Expedia
Book accommodations and activities here: Agoda | Booking.com | Klook | KKday | HotelsCombined
General info here: Tripadvisor
Affordable data plans here
And while you are at it, be sure to get your travel insurance!
