A Guide to The Cherry Blossom Festival in JapanEverything you need to know about Japan's Cherry Blossom Festival

Every spring, Japan becomes the site of one of the most beautiful natural wonders in the world, cherry blossom season. Every year Japan becomes enveloped in clouds of delicate pink petals as the cherry trees blossom. Not only is Japan’s cherry blossom season beautiful it is also steeped in history and ancient tradition making it one of the many highlights of the Japanese calendar. People travel to Japan from all over the globe to head outdoors to spend time appreciating nature's beauty and welcome the changing of the seasons. In recent years word of the cherry blossom season has spread far and wide and it has become a particularly popular time for travellers to visit Japan with many stunning landscapes and countless photographic opportunities. Whether you're planning a trip yourself or are simply interested to learn more about it, here you'll find a complete guide to the cherry blossom festival in Japan.

Sanjusangendo Temple

Before we get into how you can see the cherry blossoms in Japan on one of our guided tours lets first look at the history of Japan’s cherry blossom season. In Japan there is a word called ‘Hanami’ which translates to ‘flower viewing’, it is an ancient custom that encourages people to pause and appreciate nature. The tradition of Hanami dates back as early as the 8th century and originally began with the viewing of the plum blossom, the tradition eventually morphed into a focus on cherry blossoms. During these early periods in Japan's history, people believed that the trees possessed spirits and made offerings in their honour. The arrival of cherry blossoms was also viewed as a sign that rice-planting could begin. Many Japanese writers found inspiration in cherry blossoms with countless poems penned about the cherry blossoms as a metaphor for the ephemeral nature of life itself.

Historically these practices were limited to the Imperial Court with elaborate feasts, accompanied by sake, enjoyed by high officials under the blossoming trees. Slowly it trickled into samurai society and then the common people. During the 18th century shogun Tokugawa Yoshimune planted hundreds of cherry blossom trees so that the tradition would continue for generations to come. And continue it has, today the cherry blossom season in Japan sees locals and tourists alike partaking in picnics and going on walks under the beauty of the cherry blossoms across the country.

Picnics under the sakura trees

Spring begins around the end of March and with spring comes the cherry blossom season. The warmer weather awakens the trees from their months of hibernation, and they begin to bloom, with colourful pink blossoms bursting from the branches. Cherry blossom season in Japan only lasts a short while, about a week or two, but it’s a one of the most anticipated events of the Japanese calendar. The Japanese make the most of the event. Outdoor parties, picnics and street festivals capitalise on the warm weather and beautiful scenery. Artificial lights are used to ensure parties can last well into the night. It is these fun scenes that helped to coin the phrase "cherry blossom festival".

During the festival families and groups of friends spend the season in local parks and take advantage of the pretty blossoms. With an emphasis on the sharing of food and drink with evening gatherings that can last into the small hours of the night (known as yozakura). Paper lanterns often decorate the cherry trees for extra light and everyone partaking in the cherry blossom festivities can let their hair down and enjoy a little frivolity.

The Cherry blossom season is now a highly documented event in Japan with meteorological forecasts of when and where the blossoms will start. Newspapers and TV stations keep close track on the movement of the 'cherry blossom front' as it moves across the islands. With such a short period of activity, it's vital that you know where you need to be and when to make the most of the season.

Sakura flavoured snacks

Wherever you decide to enjoy a spot of hanami in Japan, doing like the locals do is an easy exercise. Simply visit a local supermarket, stock up on food or opt for a convenient Bento box, arm yourself with a picnic blanket and head to the nearest park. Take a moment to take in the beauty of the sakura and reflect on the beauty of nature before tucking into your tempura. If your taste buds are feeling adventurous, try some novelty sakura-flavoured treats like dumplings, crisps and canned drinks though be warned the taste is said to resemble a combination of lavender and soap.

It's a good idea to try hanami both during the day and at night to experience the change in atmosphere and appearance of the trees. Dusk is the ideal time to get out among the cherry trees as the soft colours of the dying light mean you get the best of both worlds, lanterns and lights are switched creating a soft glow perfect for enjoying the baby pink petals of the cherry blossom trees.

When it comes to the holiday planning, if you want to visit Japan for the cherry blossom festival, make sure you book well in advance as accommodation and transport sell out months ahead. Ideally you want your holiday booked a good six months before the start of the season. Talk to our tour specialists and check out our popular Cherry Blossom Festival tour to get started.

The exact start date changes each year but generally speaking the cherry blossom season on the main island starts at the end of March and continues through to May. However, the blossoms themselves only last for a few weeks and you may find sakura in one part of the country but not in another. The first blooms appear on the island of Okinawa as early as late January/early February. Much of Honshu (Japan's main island on which you'll find the capital of Tokyo) is in bloom during the months of March and April while the northern island of Hokkaido usually won't receive cherry blossoms until May.

If you want to follow the 'cherry blossom front' the trick is to start in the west of Japan and move with the blossoms across the middle section of the country. This way you'll be able to bask in the glorious pink landscapes as you travel around the main sights.

PLEASE NOTE: This is a rough guide to the movement of cherry blossoms in Japan. If you are planning on building a holiday itinerary around the cherry blossoms then it's best to keep a close eye on the official forecasts provided by private agencies in Japan.

Due to the high demand our cherry blossom tours sell out fast! If you want to book one of our cherry blossom tours, or one of our other Japan tours during cherry blossom season, we recommend booking around 10 months in advance to secure your spot on this once in a life time adventure.