When is the best time to visit?
The blooming time mainly depends upon the climate of its geographical location. Besides, cherry blossom season can vary over years depending on the weather of each year.
In the most popular cities including Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, the blooming season often starts in early April. In other part of japan, cherry blossom season may take place sooner in January or later in May.
How long do they bloom?
The cherry blossom season is not very long. Usually, it lasts one week after the first blossom has opened. Only one week later, the peak is over and they are falling down.
Kyoto is one of the most ideal cherry blossom destinations. Besides, there are many other ideal places in Japan to admire the beautiful cherry blossom season.
Maruyama-kōen, Kyoto
Kyoto has so many fantastic places to see the blossoms. But it is safe to say that the most iconic hanami spot in the city is Maruyama-kōen (Maruyama Park). In the middle of the park is the Gion Shidare-zakura, the 'Weeping Cherry of Gion', named for its proximity to famed entertainment district, Gion, where geiko still perform. The over-10m-tall tree, whose blossom-fringed branches arch gracefully almost to the ground, is illuminated in the evening, from dusk until midnight. And there are some 680 other cherry trees in the park so you can bet on lots of picnics taking place here.
Hanamiyama Park, Fukushima
Hanamiyama Park lies on the slopes surrounding a rural farming community in Fukushima Prefecture. The park was started by local farmers who began planting ornamental plants and trees in the area, and was opened to the public in 1959. The variety of types of cherry tree and other flowering trees mean that there are actually a wide range of spring colours in the area, with lovely views of the Azuma Mountains in the distance.
Hirosaki-kōen, Tōhoku (Northern Honshū)
Hirosaki-kōen (Hirosaki Park) is a huge green space covering the grounds of what used to be the castle Hirosaki-jō. All that remains of the actual castle is a 200-year-old keep, but the park is marbled with the old moats, which are now flanked by sakura and criss-crossed with photogenic arching bridges. There are over 2500 cherry trees here, you can rent peddle boats to take out on the moats, which are invariably covered in pink petals.
Miharu Takizakura
Miharu Takizakura is located near the small town of Miharu in Fukushima Prefecture, in the northern Tohoku region of Japan’s Honshu main island. Over one thousand years old, this massive weeping cherry tree is probably Japan’s most famous and beautiful tree.
Miharu Takizakura is ranked both the “five great cherry trees of Japan” and the “three giant cherry trees of Japan”. Furthermore, according to Wikipedia, “polls frequently rank it as the number one tree in all of Japan”.
Tips
• You should go early as during the peak season, it is very crowded at most cherry blossom spots and it is not usually for people to arrive very early in the morning to claim their place in advance.
• Don’t forget to bring a mat or a carpet to sit on. Having some talk while eating good food and admiring Sakura is a wonderful experience to remember.
• You should prepare some snack or simple food that is easy to share. Finger food and potato chips are very common.
• You should prepare for bad weather as jackets and raincoats. The weather may sometime suddenly turn windy, or rainy in spring.