Japan Cherry Blossom 2024 – Dates & Locations

When is cherry blossom season in Japan 2024?

Cherry blossom season peaks between March 27 and April 5, 2024 in the Tokyo area. The earliest cherry blooms appear in Okinawa in early February 2024. The last blooms can be seen in Hokkaido around in mid-May 2024.

What is the best month in 2024 to see cherry blossoms in Japan?

Between 15 March and 2 April 2024 you have the best chance to see cherry blossoms in Japan.

Will there be a Cherry Blossom Festival in 2024?

Yes, absolutely. Since the pandemic, everything has returned to normal and people are excited about the cherry blossom festivals throughout Japan. See the dates and locations.

Where is the best place to see sakura?

Yoshino is the best place to see the thousands of cherry trees blooming in the spring, Japan’s most famous cherry blossom destination is located in the Nara Prefecture.

What is the meaning of the Cherry Blossom Season?

The symbolism of the Cherry Blossom Season in Japan is associated with the Buddhist influence and the concept of “mono no aware” which means “the pathos of things” or “an empathy toward things”. The idea behind “mono no aware” is that the Japanese believe in the awareness of the transience of all things, which in turn is meant to heighten the appreciation of their beauty. The emotion should be one of the gentle sadness, as all beautiful things, just like life itself, is passing.
Next time you find yourself walking under a Sakura tree in Japan, allow the beautiful melancholia to take over, and to remind you of the beautiful, long, custom of the hanami.

What do Cherry blossom symbolize?

Cherry blossom in Japan have many meanings and symbolism. Cherry blossoms often appear in Japanese movies, anime and other art like paintings and even music.
In Japanese culture, the cherry blossom symbolizes the passing of life through the quick blooming and withering of the petals. The beauty of the flowers symbolizes youth while being aware of one’s mortality – which is just the way of life.
You will find references to cherry blossoms in Buddhist teachings, with had a lot of influence on Japanese culture.
The symbol of cherry blossom appears on many Japanese items, including the 100 yen coin, traditional tattoos, in pop culture, and it was part of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics.

What is the Cherry Blossom Festival?

An ancient tradition in Japan where people enjoy the blooming of cherry blossoms in parks and celebrate with a picknick under the Sakura trees.
The history of the Cherry Blossom Festival in Japan started during the Nara period, about 1300 years ago. The tradition of hanami was a custom of enjoying the beauty of blooming Sakura (cherry) or ume (plum) trees.
During the Heian period, this was reserved mainly for the Imperial Court, but the custom soon spread to the samurai society, and eventually to the common Japanese people. Drinking sake and having a nice lunch under the Sakura trees while marvelling at the falling Sakura flowers was the beginning of this great tradition.
In modern times, the Cherry Blossom Forecast gets released every year by the Japanese Meteorological Agency, so everybody can enjoy the cherry blossom festival. The Sakura blooms start in January 2024 in Okinawa, reach Kyoto and Tokyo towards the end of March 2024 and finally arrive in Hokkaidō sometime in May 2024.
Take a look at the Cherry Blossom Season Forecast 2024 for each region and city below. We have included the “First Bloom date” and the “Best Viewing dates” so you can pick the best time to visit your favourite locations.

What to expect from the Cherry Blossom Season in 2024?

The tradition of the Cherry Blossom Festival is still very much alive today. Thousands of people fill the parks all around Japan to admire the beautiful Sakura trees. It is also common to have picknick under the Sakura trees.
The parks get so busy that some companies send employees to the park early morning to reserve a spot for their co-workers in the afternoon. When the evening comes, many Japanese have great social events under the trees. In major cities, it can be common to celebrate the Cherry Blossom Festival during the night, where paper lanterns are hung.

What is night Sakura (yozakura)?

Know that during the night, hanami (a Japanese word which used to mean “picnicking under a blooming Sakura tree”) is called “yozakura” (night Sakura) when the trees are illuminated. Even during these times, all Sakura spots tend to be crowded, but because “yozakura” is said to be more romantic, viewing spots are predominately occupied by couples.If you are in Tokyo during the Sakura season, the following parks are best for night Sakura:
Yoyogi Park
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
Gardens around the Imperial Palace
Ueno Park
Hibiya Park
Many areas along the Arakawa and Sumida River are also beautiful and perfect for an evening picnic.Visit some sites in Kyoto centre, or take a longer trip out of the city and discover areas with jaw-dropping cherry blossom forests.
Fushimi Inari Taisha
Kiyomizu-dera
Shosei-en Garden Kikoku-tei
many spots along the Kamo River
Outside the city, visit Mount Hiei or Arashiyama, there are many cherry trees along the bamboo groove. Visiting Nara which is well-known for its deer and lovely cherry trees, can be a perfect day trip from Kyoto.
If you happened to be in Osaka during the season, the Osaka Castle and its gardens are a must.