Japan Itinerary for Cherry Blossom Season: Where to Go and When
How I plan sakura trips: realistic bloom windows, backups if dates shift, and when to move between regions.
Key Dates (Approx.)
- Tokyo: Late March – Early April
- Kyoto/Osaka: Late March – Early April
- Hiroshima: Late March – Early April
- Tohoku (Sendai/Aomori): Early – Mid April
- Hokkaido (Sapporo/Hakodate): Late April – Early May
10-Day Sakura Route (Flexible)
- Day 1-3 Tokyo: Ueno Park dawn stroll, Meguro River night lights, Shinjuku Gyoen picnic
- Day 4 Hakone: Lake Ashi torii + onsen; backup indoor day if rain
- Day 5-7 Kyoto/Osaka: Philosopher’s Path dawn walk, Maruyama Park evening, Osaka Castle park sakura
- Day 8-9 Hiroshima/Miyajima: Peace Park, Miyajima torii at sunset (check tides)
- Day 10 Tokyo buffer: In case blooms slip; Nikko or Kawaguchiko as alternates
Backup Plans if Blooms Slip
- Shift north (Tohoku/Hokkaido) if early Tokyo is past peak
- Visit alpine areas (Nagano) for later blooms
- Lean on gardens that stagger varieties (Shinjuku Gyoen, Kenrokuen)
Crowd & Cost Tips
- Book hotels 4-6 months out; use free cancellation where possible
- Sunrise visits for photos; avoid midday weekends
- Trains: no JR Pass needed; IC cards + occasional Shinkansen legs
- Pack layers; spring is chilly at dawn