2 weeks cherry blossom itinerary in Japan
Heading to Japan during the weeks of sakura bloom? Get ready for a truly magical experience. Cherry flowers blossom everywhere and the country bursts into life with vibrant Hanami picnics and festivals. In my opinion, this is the best time to explore Japan, and one of the most remarkable travel experiences one can have. It was a dream come true to me and, in this article, I’ll share the 2 weeks cherry blossom itinerary in Japan which allowed us to experience full bloom in 3 different locations last year. Here’s a sneak peek of what awaits you in this article:
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This year’s predictions are out. Here are some important full bloom dates for 2024:
Tokyo: 29th of March
Kyoto: 31st of March
Osaka: 1st of April
Kanazawa: 6th of April# -
2 weeks cherry blossom itinerary in Japan
Sakura flowers have a really short life-spam and start falling just a few days after they blossom. To witness their true splendor, you’ll want to be around during full-bloom days, when the trees are completely blossomed and vibrant. To achieve that, especially if you would like to witness full bloom in multiple locations across Japan during your trip, you’ll need a solid strategy.
Luckily, I’ve compiled a strategy that takes into account the best places to visit in Japan and the predicted full-bloom days for the year. The ultimate 2 weeks cherry blossom itinerary in Japan will take you to Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Okayama, Kanazawa and Fujikawaguchiko. Ensuring you make the most of your visit to the land of sakuras in 2024. Here’s how you should plan your trip:
Check our curated travel guides about Japan here!
4 days in Tokyo
Tokyo is the starting point of our cherry blossom itinerary in Japan for two reasons: it’s the first destination to reach full-bloom and it’s the city most travelers will be flying to. Plus, let’s be frank – there’s no better place to get acquainted to Japan than in this fascinating metropolis. A place where tradition coexists perfectly with tradition and where you’ll first fall in love with Japan.
When to go: In 2024, full bloom in Tokyo is expected to happen on the 29th of March and usually lasts 5 days. Thus, make sure to plan your trip accordingly and aim to arrive in Tokyo on the 27th or 28th of March. This way you’ll be able to experience Tokyo at its best and still have room for full bloom in the next destinations you’ll visit in Japan.
What you shouldn’t miss in Tokyo during full-bloom: A relaxed walk at the banks of Meguro River, and a visit to Ueno Park, Senso-ji Temple, Nakameguro and Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden. I’d also recommend picnicking at Yoyogi and Sumida Parks and renting rowing boats at Chidorigafuchi Park.
Where to stay in Tokyo during full bloom: Tokyo is massive and boast many accommodation options. During cherry blossom season, the best hotels get booked up quickly, so you’ll want to book a room as soon as possible. Here are my favorite hotels in Tokyo in 3 different budget categories:
4 days in Kyoto
The cultural and historical heritage of Kyoto is unparalleled. But that’s not the only reason why you should visit the city during cherry blossom season. This charming town boasts some of the finest spots for sakura viewing in all of Japan, transforming into a mesmerizing sea of pink flowers during the peak of full bloom. It’s truly a magical place to be!
We experienced Kyoto amid full bloom, and it was everything I dreamt of. The ancient streets, captivating castles, serene parks, and elegant temples were all adorned with sakura trees in their full splendor. At Maruyama Park, we relished a traditional Japanese meal beneath the blooming sakura trees and mingled with friendly locals. We were also fortunate enough to witness an authentic geisha performance, a rare spectacle that only occurs for a few weeks during the sakura season. Having geishas watching the show besides us confirmed how genuine the presentation actually was!
If you have to prioritize one destination to visit during full bloom, make of Kyoto the one.
When to go: In 2024, full bloom in Kyoto is expected to happen on the 31st of March and usually lasts 5 days. Preferably, arrive in Kyoto between the 29th of March and 2nd of April to make room for full sakura bloom in the next destinations you’ll visit in Japan.
What you shouldn’t miss in Kyoto during full bloom: A walk at Philosopher’s Path, and a visit to Toji Temple, Haradani-en Garden, Kyoto Botanical Garden, Daigoji Temple, Kiyomizudera and Hirano Shrine.
Where to stay in Kyoto during full bloom: Kyoto is one of the most popular destinations in Japan, especially during cherry blossom season. Therefore, you should book your accommodation as soon as possible, no later than a few days after full bloom dates have been released. Here are my favorite picks in Kyoto:
4 days in Osaka with day trips to Nara and Okayama
There’s no better word to describe Osaka than quirky. It’s sprawling, food-centric and vibrant like no other city I’ve visited. And a place I recommend visiting for about 4 to 5 nights while in Japan. Out of these days, I’d recommend dedicating only 2 to Osaka itself – although that’s barely enough to scratch the surface of this eclectic city. But being so close and well connected to Okayama and Nara, it would be a heresy not visiting these destinations as day trips from Osaka. Let’s see below how to better plan your visit to Osaka during cherry blossom season.
When to go: In 2024, full bloom in Osaka is expected to happen on the 01st of April and usually lasts 5 days. Preferably, arrive in Osaka between the 1st and 3rd of April to make room for full sakura bloom in the next destinations you’ll visit in Japan.
Best things to do Osaka during cherry blossom season: Spend a couple of days in Osaka and make sure to visit Osaka Castle Park as well as Kishiwada Castle. Bring a picnic to enjoy hanami at Satsukiyama Ryokuchi, Kema Sakuranomiya Park and Daisen Park. And pay a visit to Shitennoji and Katsuo-ji Temples and Japan Mint Bureau, which only opens to the public during sakura weeks.
In the upcoming days, go on day trips to:
- Nara: Nara is my favorite city in Japan and a place you can’t miss. Visit Nara Park, Mount Wakakusa and Himuro Shrine for sakura viewing and explore the city during a day. Here you’ll find a complete travel guide to Nara!
- Okayama: On your way to Okayama, visit Himeji Castle and take a boat trip in the castles moat. Then explore the exquisite Korakuen Garden and Okayama Castle!
Where to stay in Osaka during full bloom: Osaka is a massive city and a place you’ll rely on public transportation. Therefore, I recommend staying as close to a metro station as possible. Preferably one that connects well to the main train stations: Shin-Osaka, which is where Shinkansens stop and Osaka Station, which is a hub for all local commuter trains and subways. Here are my top pick accommodations in Osaka:
2 days in Kanazawa
Kanazawa is an incredibly charming town and a perfect destination in Japan during cherry blossom season. Its historical center is one of the most preserved in the country, but what sets it apart is the fact Kanazawa remains out of the mainstream tourist route in Japan. After visiting bustling destinations, this will be an opportunity to experience an authentic and serene facet of Japan. We visited Kanazawa during full bloom last year and couldn’t believe the abundance of sakura trees gracing the parks, castles, and riverbanks. This is a true hiddem gem and a place you’ll thank me for including in your plans!
Check our curated travel guides about Japan here!
When to go: In 2024, full sakura bloom in Kanazawa is expected to happen on the 6th of April and last 5 days. Preferably, arrive in Kanazawa between the 5th and 7th of April to make room for full sakura bloom in the next destinations you’ll visit in Japan.
What you shouldn’t miss in Kanazawa: You must visit Kanazawa Castle Park, Kenrokuen Garden and Saigawa Riverbank for sakura viewing. My favorite experience in Kanazawa was to stroll in the rivebanks of Asanagawa River, in the proximity of Kazuemachi Chaya District. The atmosphere couldn’t have been more romantic!
Where to stay in Kanazawa during full bloom: Kanazawa boasts amazing accommodation options and lower nightly rates compared to the previous destinations. It’s a perfect place to splurge on a luxury stay with an onsen to relax after intense days of exploration!
1 day-trip to Fujikawaguchiko from Tokyo
As you’ll probably be flying out of Japan from Tokyo, I advise spending the last couple of nights there. On night one you’ll be arriving from Kanazawa, and you can either rest or enjoy a night out at Ginza Music Bar. The next day, take an early train to Fujukawaguchico to enjoy the most iconic views in Japan. Seeing Mount Fuji with my own eyes was not only a dream come true, but also a highlight of our trip to Japan.
When to go: In 2024, full sakura bloom in Fujikawaguchiko is expected to happen on the 8th of April and last 5 days. It’s the most perfect destination to wrap up a trip to Japan during sakura weeks!
What you should do on a day-trip to Fujikawaguchiko On your way to way to Fujikawaguchiko stop Chureito Pagoda. The earlier you can get there, the better, as this is one of the most popular and crowded tourist spots in Japan. If you’re lucky like us, you’ll have a perfect view of Mount Fuji and the temple framed by sakura trees in bloom. This was one of the most impactful places we visited in Japan and a place you’ll surely love visiting.
After visiting the pagoda, head to the town of Fujikawaguchiko. There’s much to do in the center, but I’d recommend skipping the crowds and heading directly to Kawaguchiko Natural Living Center, the final stop of the red bus line. Grab some food and find a comfortable picnic spot to enjoy a delicious Japanese meal while admiring the most beautiful angles of Mount Fuji. Then, walk down the lake promenade towards the city center and admire the hundreds of sakura trees adorning the majestic vulcano in the background. This is a truly an experience for the books, one we will never forget!
2 weeks cherry blossom itinerary in Japan
- 4 days: Tokyo
- 4 days: Kyoto
- 4 days: Osaka
- 2 days: Kanazawa
- 1 day: Fujikawaguchiko
Best time to visit Japan for cherry blossom
In Japan, cherry blossoms usually reach full bloom between the last week of March and the first week of April, especially in major cities like Tokyo and Kyoto. However, Sakura bloom tend to arrive earlier in the Ryukyu Islands and southern regions, typically between February and March. In northern locations like Hokkaido experience, full bloom happens in early to mid-May.
Our 2 weeks cherry blossom itinerary in Japan is based on latest 2024 predictions and will be best enjoyed if your trip happens between the 26th of March and 10th of April. Timing is crucial when it comes to sakura full bloom and you’ll want to plan accordingly!
When to plan a trip to Japan during cherry blossom season
To make the most of cherry blossom season in Japan you need to be in the right place and in the right time. Thus, this is a trip you need to plan meticulously, else will miss the natural spectacle by a matter of days, like it happened to Eric in 2017. In this post I share the strategy that allowed me to plan a perfect sakura season trip so make sure to check it if you’re serious about witnessing full bloom in more than one destination. Here are my summarized tips:
Flights: Reserve your flights well in advance, preferably several months prior to your intended travel dates. This ensures you have access to a wider range of options and competitive fares.
Hotels: Book hotels with free cancelation using Booking.com, so that you can rearrange plans as you become wiser on full bloom dates. Once forecast is released in January, adjust your itinerary and make permanent reservations. Be quick and assertive!
Trains: When traveling to Japan during sakura season, I recommend buying the Japan Rail Pass. While it may be slightly more expensive than buying individual tickets, it offers unparalleled flexibility. Which is a huge plus. With the pass, you’ll be able to adjust your plans according to the latest bloom predictions, ensuring you’re in the right place at the right time!
You’ll want to check all of our guides about Japan:
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