Spring

Cherry Blossom Viewing in Japan! Your Top 5 Questions Answered

By Miku Mar 25, 2025

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One of the most anticipated seasons in Japan is almost here! During spring, lots of cherry blossoms brighten the Japanese landscape. But did you know about cherry blossom viewing or hanami お花見?

For this event, we enjoy the beautiful cherry blossoms (sakuraさくら) with a picnic! You can invite your family, friends, and workmates! But where do we go? And when is it usually held? If you want to plan one yourself, read on to find out how to properly plan a hanami!

When Do Cherry Blossom Trees Come Into Bloom?

Cherry Blossom Forecast

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Because of the climate, sakura starts to bloom from western to eastern Japan. Depending on the climate, the blooming season may be later or earlier than the previous year. This year, the Kyushu and Shikoku areas are expected to see blooming in the middle of March.
The Chugoku, Kinki, and Kanto areas expect blooming towards the end of March, while in the Hokuriku area, blooming is expected at the beginning of April. Tohoku is also predicted to see blooming in the first week of April.
Working our way to the northernmost part of Japan is Hokkaido; this year, it is predicted that we will see cherry blossoms begin to bloom at the beginning of May.
These are early predictions, so we suggest staying updated on the forecast information before you go! Be sure to plan accordingly since you can enjoy cherry blossoms for around one week after they reach mankai (満開 full bloom)!

Sakura Map (English)

Where Can I Enjoy Hanami (Cherry Blossom Viewing)?

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You can do hanami anywhere there are cherry blossoms, but we recommend you find somewhere near your house, like your local park. This way, you can drink, bring small children or dogs, and still get home quickly.

Some locations are famous for cherry blossom viewing, like Ueno Park and Yoyogi Park in Tokyo, but they can get very crowded and can take away from the experience. If you want to enjoy eating and drinking while taking in the view, a local park would be a good choice. But if eating and drinking are not high on your list of priorities, why not visit temples, shrines, and riverside areas where cherry blossoms bloom? These areas make for great photos and create a beautiful backdrop while you look around.

If you visit the popular parks for cherry blossom viewing, we suggest reserving your space well in advance, starting early in the morning, as they get crowded in the afternoon! Please be considerate of the area in which you would like to set up, make sure cherry blossom viewing is permitted, and remember to leave the area the same way it was when you got there.

What Should I Bring?

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It depends on the place and who you go with, but we recommend the following things for cherry blossom viewing:

Picnic sheet (usually we use ‘blue sheet,’ 2.7m×3.6m for 10 people, 3.6m×5.4m for 20 persons): Depending on your party size, you may need one or more.
Garbage bags (around 10 bags): If the weather is windy, bring something to weigh down your garbage bags to prevent them from blowing away.
Tissue paper and wet wipes: Stay prepared and have tissue paper and wet wipes handy in case of messes or after eating.
Food and drinks (e.g., lunch boxes, snacks, beers, sake, and juices): Can be purchased at the convenience store or made at home.
Cutlery: Paper trays, cups, chopsticks, spoons, and forks. We suggest a few extra than the total guests in case of accidents.
Spare coins: Around 2,000 yen with 100 and 10 yen coins to buy additional drinks from vending machines or to give out change after collecting the party fee from everyone.

In addition, these are some useful items you can bring if you have room in your bag!

Permanent marker (for writing a name on a paper cup)
Cardboard box (used as a trash box or soft cushion to put under the picnic sheet!)
Disposable heating pad (for warming your hands and legs)
Rug or blanket (for keeping you warm)
Umbrella (for sudden rain)
Foldable table (for drinks that you don’t want to spill)

Should I Make a Bento or Buy Something?

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This is subjective, but it also depends on the host and who you go with. If you go as a family with small children and want to have family time, making a lunch box with your partner and children at home before you go could be a good idea. Also, you can save money if you make a lunch box by yourself since you might buy other things at supermarkets or convenience stores!

If you do not have enough time to cook or if you are going with a big group, such as your company or school, buying a bento or some snacks in advance would be the best choice. During spring, supermarkets and convenience stores sell lots of special lunch boxes for hanami—perfect if you want a hanami-themed bento!

Do I Have to Secure a Spot in Advance?

picnic under cherry blossoms

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If you choose a famous park or other popular location, it is better to secure a seating spot in advance. Otherwise, you might not be able to find a place to sit and enjoy the viewing party. Visit and check the place in advance, and if it is very crowded, plan to lay your sheet before you start your cherry blossom party, especially on weekends.
Most people want to do cherry blossom viewing at lunchtime, so it’s usually very crowded from around 11 a.m. We recommend you secure your spot early; some go as early as 5 a.m. Some parks forbid entry from late night to early morning, so check if you’re aiming to go that early!