Cherry Blossom Itineraries: Japan beyond Tokyo/Kyoto
When is the best time to visit Japan for cherry blossoms? Well, it depends (on which part of Japan you are visiting)! As Japan is a lengthy archipelago covering different latitudes, the cherry blossom front 桜前線 advances from south to north so you have a month (late March to early May) to catch these precious blossoms. Here are some 1-2 weeks itineraries to help you have the most magical season in Japan and experience authentic Japan beyond Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka!
Cherry blossom front 桜前線 TIMINGS
This is for the main and most common variety (80%) of cherry blossoms: someiyoshino 染井吉野. Japan has over 200+ varieties with early and late blooming varieties (more info here and here). Below are indicative dates for reference - exact dates will differ year to year depending on the weather - stay up to date with flowering forecasts and location geotag’s on instagram/twitter, and of course, follow me 🙋🏻♀️ for real-time updates and recommendations!
Rule of thumb: Sakura blooms later as you head north or to higher elevations.
mid-late Jan: Okinawa and Amami Islands
late Mar - early April: Tokyo + most areas of mainland Japan south of Tokyo (including Kyoto, Osaka, Nara and Hiroshima)
mid-late April: Tohoku (north Japan) + most parts of Chubu (central Japan) i.e. most areas of mainland Japan north of Tokyo
early May: Hokkaido
Pro tip: Time your trip to Japan to fall in March and/or April and be flexible with your plans so you can follow the sakura front!
Useful resources
For train times and route planning, I use Google Maps and NAVITIME app (also shows which part of your trip is covered by your JR Pass). Get your JR Pass here - even though the price increased in late 2023, it is still good value for these kind of itineraries where there is extensive travel across Japan!
For sakura forecasts (which track the flowering of the “somei yoshino” blossoms), I follow Japan Meteorological Agency and Weather News’ sakura channel.
For easy accommodation bookings - use Rakuten Travel’s English website + app. Use “NAOMI15” for 15% off all hotel bookings (code valid until 19/4/24 for stays until 19/8/24).
If you found this helpful, follow me on instagram @thewanderingcam and #TheWanderingCam_Sakura for more Japan travel tips and inspiration! Happy travels! 🌸
10 DAYS BEST OF JAPAN IN SPRING | LATE MAR - EARLY APRIL
A 10-day journey through Japan’s cities and countryside landscapes to witness the breathtaking cherry blossoms from Tokyo to Kyoto to Mt Fuji. Whether you're a seasoned traveler or a first-time visitor, the memories of Japan's sakura season will stay with you forever.
Best Time to Go: Start in late March in Tokyo and Kyoto, where cherry blossoms bloom slightly earlier due to geographical differences. Aim for mid-April to explore the Fuji lakes area, as the elevation results in later blooming. Keep an eye on sakura forecasts starting in March, and be ready to adjust your plans for peak blooms.
Travel Tips: This itinerary is densely packed to maximize your cherry blossom experience, as the blooms last for a short period, typically around one week. Japan’s bullet train (“shinkansen”) will quickly transport you from one city to another - JR Pass is definitely worth investing in for 10-14 days’ itineraries of traversing across Japan. If you prefer to slow travel or focus on specific regions - JR regional passes may offer better value. If time permits, I highly recommend extending your stay to explore each city more thoroughly or to recover from the sakura excitement!
Itinerary
Tokyo 東京 (2 Days): Kick off your sakura adventure in Tokyo, where cherry blossoms blanket the city in pink poofs. My top 3 must-see spots are Shinjuku Gyoen 新宿御苑, Chidorigafuchi Moat 千鳥ヶ淵緑道 (cover of my ebook!) and Kanda River 神田川. For a deep dive into all the best of pink Tokyo (to fill a week of sakura hunting in the capital) - follow the itineraries in my dedicated Tokyo Sakura Ebook If it is your first time to Tokyo, I recommend 4-5 days to experience the city fully.
Kawagoe 川越 (1 Day): Take a day trip from Tokyo to Kawagoe, known for its charming Edo-period architecture and vibrant cherry blossoms river.
Kyoto 京都 (2 Days): Immerse yourself in the cultural heart of Japan with two days in Kyoto. The city's historic temples and shrines offer a stunning backdrop for cherry blossom viewing. Check out #TheWanderingCam_Kyoto for can't-miss spots. If it is your first time to Tokyo, I recommend 4-5 days to experience the city fully.
Nara 奈良 (1 Day): Spend a day in Nara, where ancient traditions meet natural beauty. The city's friendly deer and historic sites are even more enchanting framed by sakura. Nara spots in this reel - don’t miss Tsubosakadera Temple @tsubosakadera 壺阪寺
Mt. Yoshino 吉野山 (1 Day): Venture to Mt. Yoshino for a day trip from Nara or Kyoto. Known as the pink mountain covered by thousands of cherry trees, Mt Yoshino offers one of Japan's most spectacular sakura scenery (cover photo of this post).
Himeji 姫路 (1 Day): Visit the fairytale Himeji Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site, surrounded by cherry blossoms - so beautiful it deserves its own blogpost. Himeji is 1.5h Shinkansen ride from Kyoto.
(OPTIONAL DETOUR +2 Days): Detour to one of my absolute favourite sakura spot (and a hidden gem) in Shikoku: Mt Shiudeyama. Continue on the Shinkansen to Okayama Station 岡山駅 and transfer to local trains to Takuma 詫間駅 to see one of the best views to see before you die! Detailed blog post here.
Travel Day Back to Tokyo 東京 (1 Day): Allocate half - full day for traveling back to Tokyo (~4h or 3h by Shinkansen from Himeji/Kyoto and full day travel from Shikoku) and enjoy a night in Tokyo before the final leg of your sakura journey.
Mt. Fuji 富士山 (1 Day): Conclude your trip with a day at Lake Kawaguchiko 河口湖 and Chureito Pagoda 忠霊塔. The breathtaking views of Mt. Fuji with cherry blossoms in the foreground are the perfect postcard ending to your sakura adventure. See #TheWanderingCam_Fuji for the best Fuji photo spots. This daytrip is at the end of this itinerary as the cherry blossoms near the Fuji lakes bloom 1-2 weeks later than Tokyo due to their higher elevations and cooler temperatures. If time permits, recommend staying overnight in the Fuji five-lake area.
Pro tip: Time your visit for the best weather to see Mount Fuji 富士山 (Fuji visibility forecast; live cam; cold and crisp mornings tend to be clearer).
14 DAYS NORTH JAPAN EXPLORER | MID-LATE APRIL
Welcome sakura hunters - you are in for an amazing adventure chasing the sakura front from Tokyo to Hokkaido! This is perfect for both first time and seasoned travellers looking to go off the beaten path and see cherry blossoms later in the season!
Best Time to Go: North Japan is blooming-beautiful from mid-April with the long-awaited sakura front concluding its journey (at least for the year) in Hokkaido in early May. North Japan is a long area so bloom times will vary depending on how north you are - as always, keep an eye on sakura forecasts and be ready to adjust your plans for peak blooms.
Travel Tips: This itinerary makes use of Japan’s extensive shinkansen network across north Japan but some of the cherry blossom spots are less accessible by public transport, particularly around Fukushima and Aomori. For these areas, recommend carefully planning (e.g. buses may be running infrequently) and renting a car from the Shinkansen station if you can drive. But even if you can only rely on public transport, I still encourage you to visit north Japan as there is so much cherry blossoms you can see and so much wonderful culture and hospitality you will experience! Depending on your travel plans, invest in the JR Pass (covering all of Japan) or the JR East Regional Pass for Tohoku / North Japan (5 days of consecutive use).
Itinerary
Tokyo 東京 (3 days): Even after the main someiyoshino season, late-blooming cherry blossoms await. Explore central Tokyo’s parks and shrines for some beautiful late-bloomers, like the yaezakura 八重桜. If it is your first time to Tokyo, I recommend 4-5 days to experience the city fully.
📍Shiba Park 芝公園 (free), Shinjuku Gyoen 新宿御苑 (entry fee/hours apply)
Fuji Five Lakes 富士五湖 (2 days): Get ready for some iconic postcard views with Japan’s sacred mountain, Mount Fuji 富士山, and cherry blossoms. The five lakes around Mt Fuji is an all year favourite destination for tourists and locals.
📍Lake Kawaguchiko 河口湖 and Chureito Pagoda 忠霊塔
Pro tip: Time your visit for the best weather to see Mount Fuji 富士山 (Fuji visibility forecast; live cam; mornings tend to be clearer) so this can be done in any of days 1-5.
🚌 Catch a highway bus from Shinjuku Station 新宿駅 to the Fujilake area (2 hours, ¥2,000-¥2,500 one way), timing depends on weather for the best views of Fuji.
Fukushima 福島 (2 days): Discover one of the most underrated areas of Japan, including the charming cherry blossom station of Yunokami Onsen (and enjoy a footbath while you wait for the train which is not very frequent…!) and the beautiful onsen towns around Aizu.
📍Yunokami Onsen Station 湯野上温泉駅, Aizu Tsurugajo 会津鶴ヶ城, Nicchu Line's weeping cherry blossoms 日中線しだれ桜並木
🚄 1.5h Shinkansen (~¥9,000, covered by JR Pass) from Tokyo Station to Koriyama Station. Either rent 🚘 at Koriyama Station or use local train / buses to 🌸 spots.
Sendai 仙台 (2 days): Sendai is a vibrant city and the perfect base to explore 🌸 around Miyagi and Iwate prefectures. The must-see spot is 1) Hitome Senbon Sakura 一目千本桜 literally means “thousands of cherry blossoms at a glance” with 1,200 trees along the banks of Shiroishi River for up to 8 kilometers and 2) Kitakami Tenshochi Sakura Festival 北上展勝地さくらまつり which again features rows of cherry tress along the Kitakami River with light up, horse carriages and festival performances! When in Sendai, don’t miss all the zunda (edamame bean paste) snacks and cow tongue! More spots in this reel.
📍Hitome Senbon Sakura 一目千本桜, Saigyo Modoshi no Matsu Park 西行戻しの松公園, Kitakami Tenshochi Sakura Festival 北上展勝地さくらまつり
🚄 40mins Shinkansen (~¥6,000, covered by JR Pass) from Koriyama Station to Sendai Station. Sendai’s surrounding area has a good train system so use local train to 🌸 spots. Take another 50mins Shinkansen (~¥6,000, covered by JR Pass) from Sendai Station to Kitakami Station for the Kitakami Tenshochi Sakura Festival 北上展勝地さくらまつり.
Aomori 青森 (3 days): You have reached the northern most part of Japan’s main island where Hirosaki Castle and Towada Lake standout as iconic sakura spots. Don't miss the opportunity to indulge in Aomori's famed apples, known for their exceptional flavor and juiciness and if you are lucky, see some apple flowers too!
📍Hirosaki Park 弘前公園, Towada Art Center 十和田市現代美術館, Tsuru no Maihashi Bridge 鶴の舞橋, Ashino Park 芦野公園
🚄 2h Shinkansen (~¥12,000, covered by JR Pass) from Sendai Station to Shin-Aomori Station. Either rent 🚘 at Shin-Aomori or use local train / buses to 🌸 spots.
Hakodate 函館 (2 days): For the last leg of this trip, take the bullet train under the sea (!) to Japan’s northern island, Hokkaido. Arriving in Hakodate, visit its famous 5-star fort, Goryokaku 五稜郭 surrounded by cherry blossoms in a star formation! No visit to Hokkaido would be complete without tasting Japan’s best seafood - try fresh uni (sea urchin) and succulent Hokkaido crabs at the bustling morning market or a seafood restaurants.
📍Goryokaku 五稜郭, Hakodate Park 函館公園
🚄 1h Shinkansen (~¥8,000, covered by JR Pass) from Shin-Aomori Station to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station. Use local train / buses to 🌸 spots.
Return to Tokyo: Multiple daily flights connect Hakodate Airport with Tokyo (1 hour 30 minutes, ¥10,000-¥20,000). Or travel onwards to explore Japan’s largest prefecture #TheWanderingCam_Hokkaido!