8 Things To Know About Seeing Cherry Blossoms In Japan

Known as one of the most beautiful flowers in the world in one of the most fascinating countries on planet earth, cherry blossom season in Japan is on many traveler’s bucket-lists, for good reason. If you’re headed to cherry blossom season in Japan in 2023, or ever, here are some fun and useful facts to know about paying a visit to Japan’s most beloved flower.

• Packing Tip: To block the sun and do as the locals do, bring an umbrella. Masks were commonly found in Japan pre-Covid, and are still required in many parts of the country now. Match your surroundings with this super cute cherry blossom mask.

1. They Only Live For About A Week

Cherry blossoms are short-lived, so timing a trip to see them can be tricky. Don’t let that deter you from planning, though. While these pretty pink flowers only bloom for a few short days, they create an equally aesthetically pleasing affect as their petals fall to the ground. I briefly lived in Tokyo, and the cherry blossom tree near my apartment was huge. I named it “Roy” after Roy’s Peak in New Zealand, and found great pleasure in dancing around its petals on the street.

• Fashion Tip: Wear a pink dress to match the many shades of the cherry blossoms!

2. They Bloom At Different Times Every Year (But Typically Late March/Early April)

While cherry blossom season in Japan is typically in late March and into early April, it can happen at different times every year. For example, this year (2023), cherry blossom season came way earlier than expected, beginning on March 14th. If you planned a trip to Japan in April only to realize the blossoms have already appeared, don’t worry, because…

3. They Pop Up At Different Times Around The Country

Cherry blossom season in Kyoto will not be the same as cherry blossom season in Tokyo. Cherry blossom season in Tokyo will not be the same as cherry blossom season in Kanazawa, and so on, and so forth. A great way to keep track of where and when the flowers are blooming is by following cherry blossoms calendars, like this one in Kyoto. This calendar is helpful in determining when the flowers will be in full bloom, and is a great reminder to be flexible with your Japanese plans. Much thanks to Japan’s bullet trains, it’s easy to go from one city to the next in just a few short hours, so if you’re there strictly to see cherry blossoms, be flexible with your plans and go where the flowers bloom.

• Fashion Tip: Japan can still be a little chilly in March and April, so if you want to look kawaii without freezing, a long-sleeved pink dress should do the trick.

4. The Japanese Name For Cherry Blossoms is “Sakura”

When visiting Japan, you will probably never hear the phrase “cherry blossom” and instead, you’ll hear “sakura” over and over. That’s because, “sakura” is the Japanese word for cherry blossom. Sakura season is what cherry blossom season is referred to in Japan.

5. Sakura Is Found On Many Menus

If you don’t only want to look at cherry blossoms, but also want to get a taste of them, you’re in luck. Sakura is found on many menus in many different forms: most commonly in teas and in desserts. Of course, it should come as no surprise that sakura Kit-Kats are commonly found in Japanese dollar stores all over the country. This is a sustainable effort by the country to ensure getting the most out of the very short-lived sakura, and a great excuse to try a unique treat when visiting Japan. Some cities, such as Osaka, offer cherry blossom food tours.

6. The Cherry Blossom Is On The 100 Yen Coin

Cherry blossoms, or sakuras, or so beloved by the Japanese that you’ll find them year-round on the 100 yen coin. When I lived in Tokyo in 2019, 100 yen was approximately 1 USD, but in 2023, 100 yen is approximately 0.75 USD (or 75 cents), meaning a way better bang for the American buck. Sounds like a pretty good excuse to me to book a ticket to Japan!

7. Sakura Season Is The Busiest Time To Visit Japan

No season is necessarily bad for visiting Japan. The country has great winters with the slopes of Hiroshima, making it a popular ski-destination for visitors all over the globe. Summers are hot and prime for hiking or just visiting Mount Fuji. Fall provides great foliage in cities like Kanazawa, creating dramatic effects around the nation’s many shrines and temples. However, spring, or sakura season, is the time of year Japan sees more visitors than any other time of year. Pre-covid, in 2019, Japan received 2.9 million visitors during cherry blossom season. It’s worth noting that because of this, it’s highly recommend to book hotels, flights, restaurant reservations, and more, well in advance. It is PACKED.

8. There’s An Entire Festival Dedicated To Cherry Blossoms

Can’t make it to Japan for Cherry Blossom Season? Don’t worry, there’s a festival in the USA for those who are based in the US and can’t afford traveling to Japan, whether due to time constraints, passport limitations, or financial limitations. In Washington D.C., there’s a National Cherry Blossom Festival which runs from Monday, March 20, 2023 – Sunday, April 16, 2023. You can even explore the National Cherry Blossom Festival by bike.

EXTRA: Where To Stay

• Top Picks For Tokyo: Manga Art Hotel ($), Nohga Hotel Akihabara ($$), Mandarin Oriental Tokyo ($$$), Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Otemachi ($$$)
• Top Picks For Kyoto: The Pocket Hotel Kyoto-Shijokarasuma ($), Hotel Kuu Kyoto ($$), Four Seasons Hotel KyotoH ($$$)
• Top Picks For Kanazawa: Henn na Hotel Kanazawa Korinbo ($), Hotel Nikko Kanazawa ($$), Kanazawa Chaya Ryokan ($$)

DISCLAIMER: I might make a small commission from some of the links throughout this article, but the price is the same for you. This helps keep my business running so I can continue to provide free travel tips!