Sakura season 🌸 in Japan is one of the most beautiful times of the year to visit, but it is also one of the most touristy times as well. Sakura season or cherry blossom season begins in the southern Ryukyu island of Okinawa around mid January to early February. The season begins to unfold on mainland Japan around the end of March to early April. The further north you go the later the cherry blossoms bloom, so Hokkaido’s cherry blossom season starts around the end of April and lasts until early May. During Sakura season, visitors can expect to see cherry blossoms in full bloom dotting the landscape with beautiful shades of pink and white blossoms. Whether you are in Okinawa during Sakura season or mainland Japan, this post will act as a guide to Sakura season in Japan.
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So, what exactly are Sakura Trees? Sakura is the Japanese term for cherry blossom 🌸. The cherry blossom is the flower that blooms from a specific species of tree. Although cherry is in the name, the cherry blossom tree does not produce fruit. A couple weeks out of the year during early spring the cherry blossoms bloom into beautiful pinkish and white flowers. Otherwise, the trees grow leaves once the cherry blossom flowers fall to the ground.
Sakura Season in Japan
Sakura season is one of the most beautiful times of the year to visit Japan. Around this time of year, usually early spring the cherry blossom flowers begin to bloom. Travelers and locals alike flock to famous destinations like Himeji and Iwakuni to picnic under the Sakura trees, take photos, and enjoy the beautiful blossoms. Although stunningly beautiful, cherry blossom season is also one of Japan’s busiest seasons. Crowds upon crowds will flood famous Sakura destinations, hundreds if not thousands of people will be out enjoying the blossoms. Food companies are quick to make profit and sell anything and everything Sakura flavored from Sakura Frappuccino’s to Sakura flavored donuts.
Sakura season in Japan lasts only a few weeks and times vary depending on location. Generally the islands in Okinawa will see Sakura trees begin to bloom first around late January to early February. About a month or two later come late March to early April, the Sakura trees will begin to bloom on mainland Japan. Generally, the cherry blossoms will bloom earlier the more south you are. Cherry Blossom season in Hokkaido doesn’t even begin until late April into May.
The environment in Japan is so drastically different, so Sakura trees near the coast might bloom earlier or later then ones in mountainous area. So when following the yearly progression of the Sakura trees, keep all these factors in mind. There are many sites that have a somewhat accurate forecast of when the Sakura trees are in bloom. Here is an example of one for 2023, Japan Weather Co., Ltd.
When is Sakura Season in Japan?
Sakura Season in Japan starts in Okinawa around the end of January. Mainland Japan starts to see the cherry blossoms around the end of March to early April while Hokkaido gets to experience Sakura season later, around the end of April to early May.
How Long is Sakura Season in Japan?
Geographically speaking, Sakura season can be 4 months if you were to see them bloom in Okinawa and follow the blooms to Hokkaido. But in general, Sakura season is short and lasts about a week or two once the trees are in full bloom.
Is it worth visiting Japan for the Cherry Blossoms?
100%! There is a reason why so many people travel to Japan during this beautiful time of year. The Sakura trees in full bloom are absolutely beautiful. Visitors get to experience fun festivals and try exciting Sakura flavored treats. If you don’t like crowds, there are always secluded places and small villages that have Cherry Blossom trees.
Sakura Season in Okinawa
Late March to early April, visitors flock to mainland Japan for Sakura Season, but many people are unaware of the beautiful cherry blossoms that bloom on the Japanese island of Okinawa.
Sakura season in Okinawa begins much earlier then mainland Japan. Sakura season in Okinawa can be enjoyed starting late January and ending in early February.
Not only does Sakura season begin earlier in Okinawa, but even the cherry blossoms are different then those from mainland. The Sakura trees here tend to have a bright pink flower that points downward, compared to the white cherry blossoms on mainland. For photography, the pink flowers are easier to photograph since they point downward and are more dominant compared to the background.
If you live in Okinawa or are visiting this beautiful island for Sakura season, here are a few places I recommend going to in Okinawa for Sakura season.
Mt. Yaedake
Mt. Yaedake is probably my favorite place in Okinawa for Cherry Blossom viewing, especially at Yaedake Sakuranomori Park. Sakuranomori Park has a childrens playground, meaning it is a great place for families. There are also trails that branch off of the parking lots and going down toward the valley and back up. There are two trails, each is usually never crowded with pockets of beautiful Sakura trees. It is at these trails that I photographed the Warbling White-Eye birds. For some reason, these birds love flying around and feeding off of the cherry blossom trees.
Nago Cherry Blossom Festival and Nago Castle Park
In 2023, now that Covid-19 is somewhat a thing of the past, the Nago Cherry Blossom Festival was in full swing. Surprisingly this festival was a blast. Tons of food vendors, live entertainment, and lots of happy people! The festival takes place around the city of Nago. After enjoying food, drinks, and entertainment, walk past the festival to enjoy the mountainside full of cherry blossom trees. Nago Castle Park has around 20,000 Sakura trees.
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Comments (4)
Great post and pics! When I was in Japan it was February (Chinese New Year) so I was a bit too early to see the blossoms. Hoping to return to Asia this year and will definitely try and catch some of these places in season.
Thanks! It was difficult to photograph the birds, but I am happy how some photos turned out. You can always see Sakura trees in Okinawa beginning of the year or catch them in Hokkaido in late April until May. But there are so many other flowers in bloom and festivals throughout the year here in Japan.
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