🇯🇵 We Visited the Top Sakura Spots in Japan - Best Places to See Cherry Blossoms in Japan 2026

Cherry blossom season in Japan feels special and unforgettable. It is one of the most celebrated times of the year and the whole country enjoys it through Hanami, where families, friends and communities gather under the trees to relax, chat and take in the season together. The bloom window is short. In many regions, peak viewing lasts only a few days and the timing can shift depending on temperature, rain and wind. In general, blossoms start appearing from late March with many places reaching full bloom from the end of March to mid-April. What makes it even more interesting is that it does not happen all at once. Sakura gradually moves across Japan, starting in warmer areas and then reaching cooler and higher regions later. In this video, our journey begins in Osaka and then slowly moves north as the season continues. If you want to know some of the top places to see cherry blossoms in Japan, this video is for you. We'll take you through each spot and show what the blossoms looked like when we were there. Without further ado, let's dive right in. Along the Okawa River, Kemasakuranomiya Park stretches for several kilometers with more than 4,000 cherry trees, making it one of Japan's longest riverside sakura routes. The trees line both sides of the riverbank, forming a long, continuous viewing area that's easy to walk and explore. We loved the atmosphere here. It felt relaxed, spacious and very local. We ended up exploring the park for hours. Even though we were about 2-3 days early, there were still a few trees that had fully bloomed and those instantly stole our hearts. From certain parts of the park, you can even see Osaka Castle in the distance, which adds a nice backdrop. And if you're interested, there are boat rides available during the season that take you under the blossoms and give you a completely different perspective of the river. Blossoms here typically open in late March and can last into early April, depending on the temperature. Osaka Castle Park has thousands of cherry trees spread across the grounds, making it a really pleasant place to walk around during sakura season. One tree instantly stood out because it had white, baby pink, bright pink and magenta blossoms all on the same tree. It became an easy favourite for us and we kept coming back to look at it. You can also go on a boat ride around the moats during the season, letting you see the castle and sakura from the water. And it feels calm and refreshing as you drift past the blossoms. Taking photos of the blossoms with the castle in the background works especially well and the whole park feels lively and colourful during peak bloom. Full bloom here usually arrives toward the end of March. Mount Yoshino is one of the most famous cherry blossom mountains in Japan with roughly 30,000 cherry trees covering the slopes in different groves from base to summit. Because of the way these trees are spread across various elevations, the blossoms open in stages, which gives the mountain a prolonged and layered sakura season. Full bloom here usually arrives in early to mid-April, later than most city parks because of the higher altitude. What we loved about this place wasn't just the scenery but the atmosphere and the people. Small cafes, tea houses and little food stalls line the walking paths and many of them have views overlooking the valley. You can try warm street food, sushi, sweets or just sit down for a break with a drink while enjoying the blossoms from above. There are also several smaller temples scattered along the trails that feel incredibly peaceful to step into between viewpoints. Nara Park is one of the best places to enjoy cherry blossoms if you want a mix of nature, temples and wildlife in one place. The park is huge and feels more like an open natural landscape than a traditional garden and during sakura season, many of the cherry trees bloom around the walking paths, ponds and historical buildings. It's also one of the few places in Japan where you can easily photograph cherry blossoms and deer together without needing to chase the moment. One of the most impressive structures inside the park is Todaiji Temple, home to one of the world's largest bronze Buddha statues. The blossoms soften the temple's scale and the deer wandering near the entrance make the area feel almost like a scene from a historical painting. During full bloom, the path leading to Todaiji becomes especially scenic and worth slowing down for. A short walk away is Kasuga Taisha Shrine, famous for its hundreds of stone lanterns that line the approach paths. The shrine sits within a forested area and the cherry blossoms that appear around the lanterns and torii gates add pops of colour against the mossy greens. Between the deer, temples, shrines and blossoms, Nara Park offers a more relaxed hanami experience compared to the busy city parks in Tokyo or Osaka. It feels slower, more spacious and deeply connected to nature, especially during early April when everything is at its peak. The Philosopher's Path is located in Kyoto Prefecture, running through the northern Higashiyama area of the city. It follows a quiet canal lined with around 500 cherry trees that were planted in the early 1900s to create a scenic spring walkway. Over time, it has become one of Kyoto's classic sakura roots. Walking along the canal felt like it just kept going, a long stretch of cherry blossoms on both sides of the water. One massive tree completely took us by surprise because it was fully bloomed from top to bottom, with branches hanging right over the canal. The combination of the blossoms and the canal made the walk visually very satisfying and it quickly became one of our favourite sakura walks in Kyoto. Another thing we liked about this area is how much there is to explore around it. On one end of the path, you can reach Ginkaku-ji, a historic temple surrounded by traditional gardens and mountain scenery. On the opposite end, you can connect toward Nanzen-ji Temple, known for its impressive brick archway and spacious temple grounds. There are also cafes, small shops and residential streets along the path, so the whole walk feels interesting and layered. With a lot to look at beyond the blossoms, blossoms here usually reach full bloom in late March or early April, depending on the year. Shirakawa Canal is in the Gion area of Kyoto and it quickly became one of those places we really liked during sakura season. Cherry trees line the narrow canal with small stone bridges and traditional wooden buildings right along the water and it reminded us of that classic Kyoto look we had always imagined. What we enjoyed here was how close everything felt. The branches hang right over the canal, some almost touching the water and it was fun to stop at different spots and see how the blossoms framed the buildings and bridges. We also came here in the evening and the tea houses and lanterns gave the street a warm glow that made the blossoms stand out even more. It felt completely different from the daytime and both were worth seeing. Sakura usually bloom here in late March to early April. Maruyama Park is Kyoto's oldest public park and one of its main spring gathering spots. It's located in the Higashiyama district of Kyoto Prefecture, close to some of the city's most well-known temples and shrines. The park has more than a thousand cherry trees spread across the lawns, pathways and open areas and during sakura season the large weeping cherry tree in the center becomes the highlight. People have been coming here to enjoy hanami for more than a century. When we arrived at the whole park looked like a winter wonderland, not with snow but with white petals everywhere. We genuinely weren't expecting it to be fully bloomed yet so it felt like we had walked straight into peak season without planning to. The trees looked so fresh and full that it almost didn't feel real for a moment. Full bloom here usually happens between the last week of March and the beginning of April. One thing we really liked about this park is how much there is around it. It connects directly to Yasaka shrine and within a short walk you can reach Kodaiji temple and the traditional streets of Gion. It's a great area if you want to see cherry blossoms and also explore Kyoto's historical side without needing to travel far. During sakura season food stalls and picnic spots appear throughout the park and the area stays lively well into the evening. It's the kind of place where you can sit under a tree, grab a snack, take photos or just watch petals drift across the pathways as people walk by. We ended up staying longer than expected because the timing and atmosphere were too good to rush. In the Arashiyama district on the western side of Kyoto is Tenryu-ji, a Zen temple that sits right next to the famous bamboo forest. Most people pass through the bamboo grove without realising that one of Kyoto's best spring gardens is just a few steps away. During sakura season, Tenryu-ji became one of our favourite places in Kyoto for weeping cherry blossoms. When we entered the garden, we found clusters of weeping trees arranged around the pond and along the pathways, with blossoms hanging low enough to see the details up close. Tenryu-ji dates back to the 1300s and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, so the garden has been shaped and maintained for centuries. Full bloom here typically arrives in late March, sometimes a few days earlier than the sakura spots closer to central Kyoto. For anyone planning to explore Arashiyama, Tenryu-ji fits naturally into the route, since it's right next to the bamboo forest and only a short walk to the river. A short walk from the Tenryu-ji temple leads to the Katsura River and Togetsukyo Bridge, the main landmark of Arashiyama. The bridge has existed in various forms for over a thousand years and the entire area has been a spring viewing destination since the Heian period. During sakura season, cherry trees line parts of the riverbank and the blossoms extend along the water in both directions. The open view of the river makes the scene feel wider and more scenic compared to the enclosed temple gardens. One thing that stood out to us here were the hills behind the river. During full bloom, small patches of pink and white appear on the slopes, creating a layered spring landscape. It's subtle, but once you notice it, it becomes one of the most memorable features of Arashiyama in spring. Full bloom in this area usually arrives toward the end of March, making it one of the earlier places in Kyoto to show peak blossoms. The riverfront is easy to reach from Saga Arashiyama Station or from the bamboo forest on foot, which is why many people pair all three locations, bamboo grove, Tenryu-ji and river, into a single spring route. On the eastern side of Kyoto is the Keiag Incline, a former railway track that once transported boats between canals. The tracks are no longer in use today, but during sakura season, the whole slope transforms into a long cherry blossom corridor. Full bloom here usually takes place from late March to early April, and because the trees are planted close together, the canopy becomes quite dense when everything opens. From the Keiag Incline, it's only a short walk down toward the Okazaki River, also known as the Okazaki Canal. Cherry trees line both sides of the canal, and the blossoms reflect on the surface of the water, which adds another layer to the scenery. The canal connects into the Lake Biwa Canal system, which historically helped bring water from Lake Biwa into Kyoto. Full bloom here tends to align with central Kyoto, usually from late March to early April. Ueno Park is in Tokyo Prefecture, and is one of the city's most popular places to see cherry blossoms. It's also a classic spot for hanami, where people sit under the trees to eat, chat and enjoy spring outdoors. The park has more than a thousand cherry trees, many of them lining the main pathways, which creates a long corridor of blossoms during full bloom. What stood out to us here was how big and full the trees were. They were tall, wide and packed with blossoms, and seeing so many of them together made the whole park feel lively and impressive. When the wind picked up, petals lifted into the air and floated around us. It was one of those small spring moments that you can't really plan for, but makes the visit feel special. We ended up spending hours here just walking, sitting under the trees and enjoying the atmosphere. Another fun part of Ueno Park is that Ueno Zoo is right next to the cherry trees, so you can go and see the pandas while you're here. We didn't expect to combine pandas with cherry blossoms, but it turned out to be a really fun bonus. Full bloom in Ueno usually arrives in late March, depending on the year. Meguro River looks completely different during sakura season. Cherry trees cover both sides of the canal for a long distance, and once you start walking, it's hard to stop. The branches stretch over the water and form a canopy of blossoms along the canal. We just kept following it because each section looked slightly different from the last. During the daytime, the riverside feels open and scenic. The blossoms reflect in the canal and the long continuous stretch makes it easy to enjoy, without needing to plan a specific route. Unlike Ueno or Yoyogi, Meguro isn't a park, so there aren't lawns or picnic areas. It's more of a linear viewing experience, and that's what makes it interesting. The focus stays on the canal and the trees. What makes Meguro especially memorable is how different it feels at night. During the season, there's a night festival along the canal with lanterns, stalls and illuminated blossoms. Once the lanterns turn on, the blossoms shift into shades of white and pink, and the reflections in the canal make the scene feel layered and visually striking. It becomes a completely different experience from the daytime walk, and it's one of the highlights of sakura season in Tokyo. Another unique point along the canal is the Starbucks Reserve Roastery. If you head up to the terrace, you get a view from above, and the blossoms almost look like a pink ribbon running through the neighborhood. It's a great angle for filming or photos because you get to see the line of trees from a higher viewpoint. Meguro River is in Tokyo Prefecture, near Nakameguro Station, and easy to reach by train. Blossoms here typically open in the final week of March, and the night festival usually aligns with full bloom. If you're in Tokyo during sakura season, Meguro is worth experiencing both during the day and at night to see the contrast. Yoyogi Park is in Tokyo Prefecture, right next to Harajuku and Meiji Shrine, which makes it one of the easiest sakura spots to visit while sightseeing. It's known for its open lawns and relaxed atmosphere, and during spring it becomes a popular place for hanami. The park has around 600 to 700 cherry trees spread across large grassy areas and walking paths. It's not a dense tunnel of blossoms like Meguro River or Ueno Park, but that's what makes it nice. There's space to move around, pick a spot, or just wander without feeling squeezed. We immediately noticed how casual and local the atmosphere felt here. One thing that stood out to us was the shape and height of the cherry trees here. Many were shorter compared to other parks in Tokyo, and some had branches that almost touched the ground. It made the trees feel close and easy to interact with, and we ended up spending hours picnicking under one of them and looking up at the blossoms from below. Blossoms in Yoyogi Park usually open around the end of March and reach full bloom shortly after. If you're already in Harajuku or visiting Meiji Shrine, it's an easy walk and definitely worth stopping by during sakura season. Sumida Park runs along the Sumida River and has long riverside walking paths lined with cherry trees. There are roughly 600 cherry trees planted on both banks, creating a continuous stretch of blossoms during full bloom. One thing we really liked here is that you can see the cherry trees, the river, and Tokyo Skytree all in one view, which feels very unique to this area. We visited Sumida Park both in the morning and at night, and the difference was noticeable. In the morning, the river and pathways feel calm and open, and you can take your time walking along the water. At night, the blossoms are illuminated and Skytree lights up as well, so the reflections on the river give the scene more color and depth. Both times worked well, just in different ways. Another convenient part of Sumida Park is its location. It's only a few minutes' walk from Sensoji Temple and Nakamise Dori Market, so you can easily combine cherry blossoms with sightseeing and food. Blossoms here usually reach their peak toward the end of March, and because the viewing area follows the river, it's straightforward to explore without needing a plan. You just walk along the water and enjoy the blossoms. Chidorigafuchi sits along the moat of the Imperial Palace and is considered one of the most scenic cherry blossom spots in Tokyo. The trees lean over the water and their branches hang so low that some nearly touch the surface. During peak bloom, you can rent small rowboats and paddle directly beneath the blossoms, which makes the experience feel more immersive compared to viewing from the pathways. When the blossoms are fully open, the whole moat turns into soft shades of white and pink. The combination of the moat, the palace walls and the blossoms makes the setting feel very unique to Tokyo. Even if you don't rent a boat, the view from the walkways is very impressive. Chidorigafuchi is located in Tokyo Prefecture near Kudanshita Station and is easy to reach by train. It's not a large park and there aren't open lawns or picnic spots, so the focus here is mainly on viewing and walking. Boat rentals are seasonal and only operate during bloom, and the demand during peak can be high. Blossoms here typically reach full bloom in the final week of March, depending on the year. If you're in Tokyo during sakura season, Chidorigafuchi feels worth the visit simply for how different the setting is from other spots in the city. Seeing the blossoms hanging over the moat and drifting into the water gives you a very distinct view of spring in Tokyo, whether you're on the pathways or out on the boats. In Fujiyoshida, at the base of Mount Fuji, is the Chureito Pagoda, one of the most recognizable spring viewpoints in Japan. The pagoda sits on a hillside within the Arakura Sengen Shrine complex, and during sakura season the combination of the five-storied pagoda, the cherry blossoms and Mount Fuji in the background creates a view that many people associate with springtime in Japan. Chureito usually reaches full bloom in early to mid-April, which is later than places like Tokyo or Kyoto, because Fujiyoshida sits at a higher elevation and has cooler temperatures. The later bloom makes it a good spot to extend the sakura season if you're traveling through different regions. The view changes depending on the time of day as well. In the morning Fuji is often clearer, and in the late afternoon the pagoda picks up warmer light from the west. The entire site is part of Arakura Sengen Shrine, a historical shrine dedicated to mountain worship and the guardian deities of the region. Because of its position on the slope, Chureito offers a layered view of spring blossoms in the foreground near the pagoda, the city below and Mount Fuji rising in the background. On the northern side of Lake Kawaguchiko, there is a lakeside route where cherry blossoms, the water and Mount Fuji face the same direction. This part of the lake sits opposite to Fuji, creating a clear open view of the mountain across the water without tall buildings in between. Along this shore are several small parks and open spaces that show slightly different angles of spring around the lake. Three of the main spots along this route are Oishi Park, Kogamasao Memorial Park and the area near the Kawaguchiko Museum of Art. Oishi Park sits toward the western end of the northern shore and is known for having one of the widest open views of Fuji. During sakura season, the cherry trees along the shoreline frame both the lake and the mountain, making it one of the more recognizable places to observe spring around Kawaguchiko. The park also marks the beginning of the northern lakeside walking route that runs toward the center of the lake. Moving east along the water, Kogamasao Memorial Park offers a quieter stretch of shoreline. Cherry trees grow closer to the edge of the lake here, and on still mornings, the reflections create a soft layer of blossoms on the surface. The park sits along Kawaguchiko's circular walking and cycling route, which connects the northern side of the lake to nearby neighborhoods and smaller viewpoints around the lake. A little further along, near the Kawaguchiko Museum of Art, cherry trees appear again by the waterfront. The museum area sits slightly higher than the shoreline, giving a different perspective of the lake and Fuji when the sky clears. The museum focuses on rotating exhibitions related to Fuji and the region, tying the seasonal landscape to the cultural history of the mountain. Because Kawaguchiko sits at a higher elevation than Tokyo or Kyoto, cherry blossoms usually reach full bloom here in early to mid-April, roughly one to two weeks later than the major cities. This timing makes the Fuji region an important stop for travelers following the Sakura Front northward in spring, as it naturally extends the viewing season. The northern shore is also walkable, allowing multiple viewpoints to be explored in a single loop. Access from Kawaguchiko Station is straightforward using the local Red Line sightseeing bus, which connects to the entire northern shoreline under the regional bus pass. The loop line bus ticket can be purchased directly at the bus stop outside Kawaguchiko Station. Giro is a small town in Gifu Prefecture, known for its hot springs and traditional ryokans. During Sakura season, the blossoms follow the Hida River and extend into the nearby streets, becoming part of the town's scenery as you walk through it. We enjoyed walking along the river in the morning and seeing the blossoms with the mountains and ryokan buildings in the background. It felt calm and very local, especially compared to the busy Sakura spots in Tokyo or Kyoto. Cherry blossoms in Giro usually reach full bloom in early April, which is slightly later than the major cities because the area is more inland and surrounded by mountains. For us, it actually extended the Sakura season. Just as some cities were moving past peak, Giro was beginning to bloom. Giro is also known as one of Japan's top three onsens, along with Kusatsu and Arima. Several ryokans here have open-air baths facing the river, and during Sakura season you can see the blossoms from the onsen itself, which is a very unique way to experience spring. Another place worth visiting is Giro Onsen Gassho Village, where traditional thatched farmhouses sit among the cherry trees. It isn't a large area, but the combination of older buildings and blossoms makes it visually interesting and a nice spot for photos or video. What stood out to us in Giro during spring was how slow and simple the season felt here. There were no crowds or festival set-ups, just the town, the river and the blossoms becoming part of everyday life. Takayama is a mountain town in Gifu Prefecture known for its well-preserved historical streets, merchant houses and old sake breweries. The town sits at a higher elevation in the Hida region, so the climate stays cooler and spring arrives a little later here compared to Tokyo or Kyoto. This also affects the timing of Sakura season, which usually reaches full bloom in early April. The Miyagawa River is where we noticed most of the blossoms. Cherry trees line parts of the river and the bridges, and seeing the blossoms with the traditional wooden buildings behind them gives the area a very classic Takayama look. We walked along the river in the morning and liked how the light hit the water and made the blossoms stand out a bit more. It made the river feel like the natural centre of spring in the town. And that wraps up some of the best places to see cherry blossoms in Japan, based on our experience in 2025. Don't forget to like, share and subscribe, and follow us on Instagram for Sakura updates. We have more videos coming up that will help you plan your Japan trip better during the Sakura season. We'll see you in the next one.