The sakura season is short and famously hard to predict. Here's how to stack the odds in your favour.
Cherry blossoms (sakura) typically bloom from late March to early April, but the exact timing shifts each year and moves north across the country. Tokyo and Kyoto usually peak around the last week of March into the first week of April, while northern regions bloom later.
Because full bloom lasts only about a week, the smart approach is to plan a trip that covers multiple cities over eight to ten days. If Tokyo's blossoms are past their peak, Kyoto or a higher-altitude spot may be just opening. Travelling across several locations dramatically improves your chances.
Sakura season is Japan's busiest travel window. Flights and hotels sell out months in advance, so we recommend confirming your trip by December or January for the following spring.
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