Cherry Blossom Season

Cherry blossom season, or sakura, is the most beloved and eagerly awaited time in Japan, when for a fleeting week or two each spring the cherry trees burst into clouds of pink and white blossom across the country. Celebrated with hanami, the tradition of gathering for picnics and parties beneath the flowering trees, it is a national celebration of beauty and the poignant, fleeting nature of life itself.

What you actually see

• The blossom - the clouds of pink and white cherry flowers.
• Hanami picnics - the gatherings beneath the flowering trees.
• The famous spots - the temples, castles and riverbanks lined with cherries.
• Yozakura - the blossom lit up at night.

When to go

The bloom sweeps north from late March, reaching Tokyo and Kyoto around late March to early April and the north later; forecasts track the front each year. The full bloom lasts only about a week, so timing is everything, and it varies year to year.

Honest expectations

The bloom lasts only about a week and its exact timing shifts each year with the weather, so it is a gamble to plan a trip around; forecasts help but are never certain. It is peak travel season, so flights, hotels and famous spots are crowded and expensive. Rain or wind can strip the blossom fast.

Nearby

The finest displays are in Kyoto, Tokyo, Himeji and along countless rivers and parks nationwide.