Best Places to See Cherry Blossoms in Japan (And How to Get There)

Ueno Park is one of Tokyo’s most celebrated spots for hanami, or cherry blossom viewing, attracting millions of visitors each spring. During peak bloom, its wide central pathway transforms into a breathtaking tunnel of delicate pink and white petals, creating an enchanting atmosphere that draws both locals and travellers for leisurely strolls, picnics, and endless photography. The park is home to over 1,000 cherry trees, many of which line Shinobazu Pond and other scenic areas, offering multiple vantage points for appreciating the blossoms.

Beyond the floral display, Ueno Park is also rich in culture and history, housing several renowned museums, a zoo, and historic temples, making it possible to spend an entire day immersed in its offerings. As evening falls, soft lanterns illuminate the pathways, casting a gentle glow over the blossoms and enhancing their romantic beauty. This magical combination of nature, culture, and seasonal celebration makes a visit to Ueno Park during sakura season feel like stepping into a living postcard, where Tokyo’s usual fast pace slows just enough for people to savour the fleeting beauty of spring.

Kyoto, with its timeless atmosphere and deep-rooted traditions, is home to countless unforgettable sakura spots, yet Maruyama Park remains one of the most iconic and beloved. Situated in the heart of the city, this spacious park comes alive each spring as the blossoms create a canopy of soft pink that draws both locals and travellers alike. Its centrepiece is an enormous, graceful weeping cherry tree, which stands as a symbol of the season.

By day, its cascading blossoms sway gently in the breeze, but at night it becomes a luminous spectacle, illuminated to reveal every delicate petal against the dark sky. Visitors gather beneath its branches for leisurely picnics, often indulging in seasonal treats and street food from nearby vendors.

Thanks to Japan’s convenient Shinkansen trains, reaching Kyoto during cherry blossom season is both fast and comfortable, making it easy to include this unforgettable spot in your journey.

Mount Yoshino in Nara Prefecture is renowned throughout Japan for its extraordinary cherry blossom displays, with over 30,000 trees planted along the mountainside in carefully staggered stages. This thoughtful arrangement ensures that the blossoms bloom at different elevations over several weeks, creating breathtaking waves of pink and white that seem to cascade across the slopes. Visitors can follow winding mountain trails that pass through groves of sakura, each turn revealing a new perspective of the floral spectacle.

The area is dotted with ancient temples and shrines, many offering serene spots to pause and admire the view while soaking in the tranquil atmosphere. This layering of history and nature gives Mount Yoshino a unique charm, as though time has slowed to match the gentle pace of the petals drifting on the breeze. Far removed from the hustle and bustle of Japan’s major cities, it provides a peaceful escape where the focus is entirely on the fleeting beauty of spring.