There is nothing more spectacular than the spellbindingly beautiful sight of cherry blossoms in full bloom. Countless of tourists flock to Japan every spring for a visual feast of these gorgeous sakuras – they call it ‘Hanami’ – and the novelty never gets old. Indeed, natives themselves remain equally in awe of this natural phenomena despite its annual occurrence.
Till date, local Japanese still cultivate the centuries-old practice Hanami. Renowned for its metaphorical meaning of the ephemeral nature of life, cherry blossoms are deeply integrated in Japanese arts and culture. In fact, they are commonly featured in many classic poetries, movies and even food!
It is important to note that the cherry blossom period varies yearly across Japan. The dates largely depend on predicted weather forecasts. Based on the past few years’ trends, this guide will serve as a forecast to the approximate dates for Cherry Blossoms periods in 2016 across five popular Japanese cities – namely Fukuoka, Hiroshima, Kyoto, Tokyo and Osaka.
#1 FUKUOKA
Cherry blossom period: 20 March 2016 to 3 April 2016
Japanese city Fukuoka’s geographical location is an interesting one; it is actually nearer to Seoul than it is to Tokyo. Fukuoka is also renowned for tonkotsu ramen so do not miss out on piping hot bowls of this delicacy while you are there.
Katsumaya Park, where Fukouka Castle is, is a great place to check out the cherry blossoms in full bloom. Alternatively, you can take a leisure stroll around Nishi Park too.
#2 HIROSHIMA
Cherry blossom period: 25 March 2016 to 5 April 2016
The captivating pink sakuras at Hiroshima Castle and historic garden Shukkei-en make it hard to believe that Hiroshima was severely destroyed by the impact of an atomic bomb in 1945′s World War II. While the city has been restored to prosperity over the past decades, one is still encouraged to pay their respects at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park.
The eastern edge of Hiroshima Memorial Park also features picturesque cherry blossom trees.
#3 KYOTO
Cherry blossom period: 27 March 2016 to 15 April 2016
Kyoto, the former capital of Japan, is a cultural city renowned for their age-old cultural practices and traditional monuments. Early birds should visit Kiyomizudera Temple and Maruyama Park to catch the sakuras while immersing themselves in Kyoto’s cultural splendour.
If you are visiting Kyoto only during the second week of April, we recommend you to make your way down to Heian Shrine and Nijojo Castle to admire the Yaebeni weeping cherry trees.
#4 TOKYO
Cherry blossom period: 26 March 2016 to 7 April 2016
Visitors can catch up on their retail therapy, gourmet food and also treat themselves to the magnificent views of cherry blossoms at Tokyo, one of our favourite cities in the world!
If you are dropping by Tokyo in March, head over to National Park Shinjuku Gyoen, Shinto Shrine Yushima Tenjin and Ueno Park with your cameras! For those who are visiting in April, you can embark on an hour-long journey away from the multifaceted metropolis to the base of Mount Takao for a tranquil scenic view of the blooming cherry trees.
#5 OSAKA
Cherry blossom period: 26 March 2016 to 7 April 2016
With approximately 5000 cherry blossom trees, Kema Sakuranomiya Park is truly the place to be at during the cherry blossom periods. With that impressive number, one has to bear in mind that there are several different species and every breed blooms at a different time. From pale pink to baby pink, visitors get to witness a myriad shades of pink.
Osaka Castle and Expo 70 Commemorative Park also provide equally enchanting views, and these are highly popular spots for Hanami too.
Note: The above dates are an approximation based on the past five years’ cherry blossoms periods. It is hard to predict the exact days as weather forecasts are ever-changing. It is however important to book air tickets and accommodation months in advance to avoid exorbitant peak period prices, and to secure your necessary rooms and hotel stays.
Hi, I think it’s not called Nijojo Castle , but Nijo Castle.
Please do not make use of the word forecast on your post. It’s not even end of Winter yet! You are giving your readers false information! Even the Japanese Weather Agencies have not issued their forecast!! Unless you have novel forecasting techniques that you have proven with great accuracy… I would suggest to change your header!
Hi, i am planning a trip to japan in April for cherry blossoms festival, can you help me on what are the other locations that have cherry blossoms viewing beside the list places you have mention above, my travel period are tentative 2nd April to 15 April.
You can try “cheri blossom app to see an uo to date forecast map
i dont see any forecast here. going to japan for cherry blossom. winter is late this year.
Will be in Japan by April 8-15 to see cherry blossom. Where is it best to go.
I’m planning a trip to Japan around 13-14 April… Want to know the best place (city) to see the cherry blossoms… Heard that Kyoto has the blossoms till around the 15 Apr… Please advise which city I should visit first to see the blossoms?