The Ultimate Sakura - Cherry Blossom - Forecast for Japan 2018 - Vikingess Voyages

Tuesday, February 20, 2018

The Ultimate Sakura - Cherry Blossom - Forecast for Japan 2018


It is finally time for the most popular season here in Japan; the Cherry Blossom (Sakura) Season! After the coldest winter in some 40 years, it is really nice that we're finally approaching warmer days. Due to the cold weather this winter the sakura flowers are projected to start blooming slightly later than usual. If you're traveling to Japan this cherry blossom season you can check out where to go below. The list begins in the north of Japan and goes down to the south of Kyushu.


Hokkaido
(北海道)

Hokkaido is the northernmost island in Japan, and if you didn't make it in time for the blossoms further down south you'll still be able to see the sakura here until late May.

Hakodate


When to visit: May 3rd - 5th

Sapporo


When to visit: May 5th - 9th

Obihiro


When to visit: May 5th - 9th

Asahikawa


When to visit: May 7th - 11th

Muroran


When to visit: May 19th - 14th

Wakkanai


When to visit: May 15th - 19th

Abashiri


When to visit: May 12th - 15th

Kushiro


When to visit: May 19th - 23rd

Tohoku
(東北)

The Tohoku area was all over the news worldwide after the devastating earthquake in 2011. Fortunately, most areas are totally safe to visit, and the locals are more than happy to welcome visitors from near and far. The cherry trees in Tohoku also blooms later than the areas around Tokyo, so for late arriving tourists, this is a great chance to see the sakura as well.

Fukushima



When to visit: April 13th - 18th

Sendai


When to visit: April 15th - 20th

Yamagata


When to visit: April 19th - 24th

Akita


When to visit: April 22nd - 27th

Morioka


When to visit: April 25th - 30th

Aomori


When to visit: April 27th - May 2nd

Kanto Koshinetsu
(関東甲信越)

Kanto Koshinetsu is most known for the capital Tokyo, in addition to the second largest city Yokohama (in practice an extension of Tokyo) and the 1994 Winter Olympics city Nagano. Although they are close in distance, Nagano is situated at a higher altitude, so if you can't make it in time for the cherry blossoms in and around Tokyo this might be a good option to visit.

Yokohama


When to visit: April 1st - 8th

Tokyo


When to visit: April 2nd - 9th

Above: Lantern and cherry blossoms by the Meguro River

Kofu / Yamanashi / Mt. Fuji


When to visit: April 2nd - 9th


Kumagaya (Saitama)


When to visit: April 3rd - 10th

Above: From Chichibu in Saitama

Choshi


When to visit: April 4th - 11th

Maebashi


When to visit: April 6th - 12th

Utsunomiya


When to visit: April 7th - 13th

Mito


When to visit: April 7th - 13th

Nagano


When to visit: April 18th - 23rd

Tokai Hokuriku
(東海北陸)

Tokai Hokuriku is made up of 8 prefectures: Shizuoka, Aichi, Gifu, Mie, Ishikawa, Fukui, Niigata, and Toyama. It is a very wide and diverse area, offering everything from tropical beaches in Izu to snowcapped mountains in Niigata. When it comes to the cherry blossom season Niigata also offer a unique opportunity to see a traditional Oiran procession taking place during the cherry blossom season at the Tsubame Sakura Festival.

Shizuoka


When to visit: March 31st - April 7th

Nagoya


When to visit: April 2nd - 9th

Gifu


When to visit: April 3rd - 9th

Tsu


When to visit: April 3rd - 9th

Fukui


When to visit: April 8th - 14th

Kanazawa


When to visit: April 9th - 15th

Toyama


When to visit: April 10th - 16th

Niigata


When to visit: April 16th - 21st


Kinki / Kansai
(近畿・関西)

The Kansai area is by far the most popular place to visit for travelers to Japan. With the ancient capital Kyoto a couple of hours by train from the Kansai airport it is no wonder why people find a trip there a must. However, be aware that Kyoto gets completely packed with tourists during the sakura season. Personally, I would recommend a visit to Kyoto right before/after the sakura season is over, as there are plenty of other beautiful places to see in the area with a lot less tourist.

Wakayama


When to visit: March 31st - April 7th

Osaka


When to visit: April 3rd - 9th

Above: From Osaka's Expo Commemoration Park 

Kyoto


When to visit: April 4th - 10th

Above: Sakura by Arashiyama

Nara


When to visit: April 5th - 11th

Kobe


When to visit: April 5th - 11th

Hikone


When to visit: April 9th - 15th

Chugoku / Shikoku
(中国・四国)

With its strategic position between Kansai and Kyushu, Chugoku literarily means "middle country", and this western part of Honshu (Japan's main island) offers anything from historical sites and contemporary art. Shikoku (lit. "four provinces") on the other hand is the smallest and least populated of the 5 main Japanese islands, but return it offers stunning nature and unique cultural experiences. As for the cherry blossoms, you can enjoy the sakura season in this region from late March till mid-April.

Kochi


When to visit: March 25th - April 2nd

Matsuyama


When to visit: March 31st - April 8th

Shimonoseki


When to visit: March 31st - April 8th

Tokushima


When to visit: April 2nd - 8th

Takamatsu


When to visit: April 2nd - 9th

Okayama


When to visit: April 3rd - 9th

Hiroshima


When to visit: April 3rd - 10th

Tottori


When to visit: April 7th - 13th

Matsue


When to visit: April 8th - 14th

Kyushu
(九州)

Japan's third largest island Kyushu is situated to the southwest of the main island Honshu and boasts of a mostly subtropical climate. If you want to be in time for the sakura season it is wise to start planning early, as most areas already finish blooming by the beginning of April.

Kumamoto


When to visit: March 29th -  April 5th 

Oita


When to visit: March 31st - April 8th

Nagasaki


When to visit: March 29th - April 5th

Miyazaki


When to visit: March 29th - April 5th

Fukuoka


When to visit: March 29th - April 5th

Kagoshima


When to visit: March 29th - April 6th

Saga


When to visit: March 31st - April 7th

Related blog posts


Recommended Sakura View Hotels in Tokyo

Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo
Hotel Chinzanso
★★★★★
 
→ review
.
Centurion Classic Akasaka
Hotel New Otani Tokyo
★★★★★

.
The Prince Sakura Tower Tokyo
The Prince Sakura Tower Tokyo
★★★★★

,
Grand Prince Hotel New Takanawa
Grand Prince Hotel New Takanawa
★★★★

.


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Thank you for reading! Please feel free to leave any comments or questions below
~Anette
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About Anette
Anette came to Japan as an exchange student in 2010, met the love of her life and got stuck. From her base in Tokyo she writes about her experiences as a full-time worker in Tokyo and about her travels in Japan and abroad. She's a free-spirited adventurer who enjoys both the great outdoors and her urban lifestyle.

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About Me

Adventures ofAnette


A modern day shield-maiden who loves to explore the unbeaten paths of the world. From her base in Tokyo, Anette takes on both rural and urban challenges, and goes by the motto "No challenge too big, no adventure too small"!
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