How to hanami : InsideJapan’s guide to cherry blossom season in Japan
Cherry blossoms – or sakura – are one of Japan’s most recognisable seasonal markers, celebrated across the country as a sign of renewal and the end of winter.
Knowing when to go, how to join in, and where to skip the crowds can make all the difference to experiencing one of Japan’s most anticipated natural events – and a highlight of the calendar year. Here’s how to do it right.
The social heart of cherry blossoms: hanami
Hanami means “flower viewing” – but it’s much more social than that. Friends, families and colleagues gather under trees with snacks and drinks spread on picnic blankets.
As the saying hana-yori-dango (“dumplings before flowers”) suggests – it’s just as much about the food and company as the blossoms themselves.
How to join in
How to hanami like a local:
- Grab a blue tarp from a 100-yen shop – it’s Japan’s favourite picnic blanket
- Pick up – beer, sake and snacks at a convenience store (konbini)
- Don’t pick blossoms from trees – admire them on the tree or gather fallen petals
Where to go for a quieter view
Toyama, two hours from Kyoto, is lined with blossom trees, along its castle moat and the Funagawa River. You’ll find a much more local crowd here than central Tokyo.
Another favourite is Inuyama, near Nagoya. Its original 16th-century castle sits above the Kiso River and draws mostly local picnickers rather than big crowds. It’s also an easy add-on to InsideJapan’s Samurai’s Footsteps itinerary.
Best time to visit
Travelling in March or April? You’ll likely see sakura somewhere in Japan – but the timing varies each year. Forecasts are updated daily, and bloom times depend on location, altitude and weather. That’s why we recommend looking beyond the Golden Route cities (Tokyo, Kyoto, Hakone and Osaka). Stick only to these and your chances of seeing the blossom depend heavily on timing – and you’ll be sharing the view with thousands of others in the main parks.
How to book
Further north, in Hirosaki, Tohoku, blooms arrive late April. InsideJapan (0117 409 0266) offers a 12-day Japan’s Undiscovered North itinerary from £3,300pp sharing and includes accommodation, transport, excursions, guides. Excludes international flights.
This article was written by InsideJapan and published on Saturday, January 10, 2026. Costs correct at the time of publication.
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