Japan’s Cherry Blossom Festival, or Sakura Season, is the most lovely and most popular natural wonder in the world. Japan becomes a pink paradise each spring when cherry blossoms begin to bloom in the parks, temples, and historical sites. If you have already decided to visit Japan during sakura season, the following guide will walk you through the Top 10 best places to visit Japan during Cherry Blossom Festival in 2025.
Why Cherry Blossom Festival Is Celebrated?
Cherry Blossom Festival is closely related to Japanese history and culture. It is celebrated because:
- Symbol of Renewal & Impermanence – Sakura symbolizes the transitory nature of life, and individuals are encouraged to live each moment.
- Traditional Hanami (Flower Viewing) Custom – Families and friends set out picnics, play guitars, and celebrate together under cherry blossoms.
- Seasonal Food & Beverages – Throughout the festival, sakura-flavored food such as mochi, tea, and sake are readily available.
- Travel & Photography – The beautiful pink scenery draws millions of tourists and photographers from all over the world.
Why Travel to Japan for the Cherry Blossom Festival?
- Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience – The short-lived beauty of cherry blossoms only lasts for two weeks, so it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
- Cultural Significance – The festival is entrenched in the Japanese tradition, and hanami (flower viewing) parties are being celebrated throughout the nation.
- The Spectacular Scenery – Historical castles and mountain ranges feature picture-book narratives created by the cherry blossoms.
- Seasonal Delicacies – Sakura-flower foods such as sakura mochi, pink-colored lattes, and sakura sake are consumed only at traditional Japanese festivals.
Let us now discover the Top 10 best places to visit Japan during Cherry Blossom Festival and be enchanted with the splendor of sakura season!
1. Ueno Park, Tokyo
Why Visit
Ueno Park is one of the best places in Tokyo to view cherry blossoms. With over 1,000 sakura trees, it is a pink wonderland in spring that’s the reason its one of the best places to visit Japan during Cherry Blossom Festival.
Top Attractions:
- Enjoy hanami (flower) viewing parties under the cherry trees.
- Visit Shinobazu Pond, the location of beautiful boat rides.
- Stroll through Ueno Zoo and Tokyo National Museum.
Best Time to Visit: Late March – Early April
2. Chidorigafuchi, Tokyo
Why Visit
Walk one of Japan’s most romantic cherry blossom walks along this moat path beside the Imperial Palace as its one of the best places to visit Japan during Cherry Blossom Festival.
Must-Sees:
- Row a rented boat under a sakura petal tunnel.
- Go to Kitanomaru Park for more hanami spots.
- Walk at night through illuminated cherry blossom trees.
When to Go: Late March – Early April
3. Mount Yoshino, Nara
Why Go
A UNESCO World Heritage, Mount Yoshino features over 30,000 cherry trees that create a tiered pink mountain landscape.
Must-see Attractions:
- Climb to Hanayagura Observatory for the prime sakura views.
- Visit historic Kinpusenji Temple.
- Enjoy local sakura sweets at mountain tea houses.
Best Time to Visit: Early – Mid April
4. Hirosaki Castle, Aomori
Why Visit
Japan’s northern region of Hirosaki Castle Park is one of the loveliest places for cherry blossoms, boasting over 2,600 sakura trees.
Best Highlights:
- Walk down the Sakura Tunnel, which will be your favorite photo studio.
- Take a boat ride across the petal-blanketed moat.
- Look at the nighttime Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival.
Best Time to Visit: Late April – Early May
5. Maruyama Park, Kyoto
Why Visit
Maruyama Park is Kyoto’s oldest cherry blossom park, home to an illustrious giant weeping cherry tree that is beautifully lighted up in the evening and one of the best places to visit Japan during Cherry Blossom Festival.
Must See:
- Gaze at the stunning Gion Shidare-zakura (weeping cherry tree).
- Try seasonal food stalls from surrounding areas.
- Explore nearby Yasaka Shrine, glowing with lanterns.
Best Season to Visit: Late March – Early April
6. Philosopher’s Path, Kyoto
Why Go:
A peaceful and picturesque walk, the Philosopher’s Path has hundreds of sakuras lining a lovely canal.
Must-Sees:
- Stroll along the 2-km path lined with sakuras.
- Visit Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion).
- Enjoy a tea break at an old-fashioned teahouse.
Best Time to Visit: Late March – Early April
7. Osaka Castle Park, Osaka
Why Visit
Best places to visit Japan during Cherry Blossom Festival is Osaka Castle because it’s lined with more than 4,000 cherry blossoms, leading to one of the western Japan’s most stunning sakura spots.
Top Attractions:
- Capture stunning photos of Osaka Castle as a cherry blossom background.
- Be mesmerized with the Osaka Castle Night Illumination.
- Stop by the Osaka Museum of History nearby.
Best Time to Visit: Late March – Early April
8. Fuji Five Lakes, Yamanashi
Why Visit?
To observe the finest sakura, visit Fuji Five Lakes where cherry blossoms are against the stunning scenery of Mount Fuji.
Must-visit Places:
- Visit the Chureito Pagoda view, regarded as one of Japan’s top cherry blossom spots.
- Visit Lake Kawaguchi for ideal reflection of Mount Fuji.
- Attend the Fujikawaguchiko Sakura Festival.
When to Visit: Early – Mid April
9. Takato Castle Ruins Park, Nagano
Why Visit?
With 1,500 distinct “Kohigan” cherry trees, Takato Castle Ruins Park is one of Japan’s top three places to view cherry blossoms.
Don’t Miss:
- Walk across the Cherry Blossom Bridge.
- Participate in Takato Cherry Blossom Festival, including night light-up.
- Sample sakura-flavored street food.
Best Time to Visit: Early – Mid April
10. Shinjuku Gyoen, Tokyo
Why Visit?
One of the best places to visit Japan during Cherry Blossom Festival is serene oasis which is in the middle of Tokyo, Shinjuku Gyoen has multiple types of cherry blossoms, so its blooming time is longer.
Don’t Miss:
- Picnic through the lovely gardens.
- See a few types of early and late-blooming sakuras.
- Relax in the Japanese tea house.
Best Time to Visit:
Late March – Mid April
Last Thoughts
Japan’s Cherry Blossom Festival is a place you shouldn’t miss visiting. Whether you are fond of ancient castles, mountain scenery, or city parks, these Top 10 best places to visit Japan during Cherry Blossom Festival provide the most beautiful sakura viewing.
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