Chasing Cherry Blossom Season In Japan 2025: Your Guide And Cherry Blossom Forecast

When we first visited Japan, we went in April so that we could see the iconic phenomenon of cherry blossoms blooming across the country. When we return again this year, we’re also taking an April trip. Cherry blossom season is addictive!

But it’s also notoriously unpredictable. You can plan a cherry blossom trip to Japan one year and arrive in the country too early: travel on the same dates the following year and you’ll be too late!

Believe me, we know: We haven’t managed to capture the country in full bloom, although we did manage to see plenty of late blossoms (which are in the pictures in this post).

So what should you do? Klook have released their first cherry blossom report for 2025. It’s likely that these dates will change slightly, because (like the weather) cherry blossoms are easier to predict the closer we get to first bloom. Here’s what you need to know:

When Will Japan See Its First Cherry Blossoms In 2025?

If you haven’t already booked your flights then when should you book to stand the best chance of seeing cherry blossoms in Japan this year? That depends where you want to go! Check out this full and insanely useful cherry blossom forecast infographic:

We’ll be arriving in Tokyo on 9th April, and we’re secretly hoping that these dates might be pushed back a little, so we have the best possible chance of seeing the blossoms in full bloom on our trip.

So where will we be going to see the cherry blossoms?

Although we’ve whizzed past it on the train to Osaka, we’ve never actually been to Mount Fuji before. So our plan is to take a day trip to Mount Fuji to both see the incredible views of the mountain and, with a bit of luck, the cherry blossoms that surround it.

To make life as easy as possible, we’re booking a Mount Fuji day tour from Tokyo. We’ve chosen this one (affiliate link) which is priced at £38.05 per person because it has an average rating of 4.8/5 taken from over 1,000 reviews and it visits all the best sakura viewing spots.

This is the Mount Fuji Magnificent Day Tour and includes stops at Arakurayama Sengen Park, where you can stand on the observation deck and look out at the majestic figure of Mount Fuji with the spring cherry blossoms in the foreground. Followed by Kawaguchiko Oishi Park, which is known as the palette of nature’s four seasons, and another iconic cherry blossom viewing spot.

If you want to book this trip (or any other klook trip) then use code THATMUMTRAVEL5KLOOK to get an additional 5% off.

If you don’t want to leave Tokyo then the best spots to view the cherry blossoms in the city include Ueno Park, Meguro River (particularly the Nakameguro area), Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, and Yoyogi Park. We already have activities in Ueno Park and Yoyogi Park on our itinerary, so I hope we’re giving ourselves the best possible change to spot these stunning pink blooms.

Klook offers LOADS of different cherry blossoms tours (I’ve just detailed the one we’re taking) and you can view all of them here.

Top Tips For Cherry Blossom Season In Japan

Cherry blossom season is the busiest time to visit Japan: whether you think it’s worth fighting the crowds to see the blooms is a matter of personal preference. Clearly we do, but it might not be right for you!

But there are some top tips you can follow to make the experience as enjoyable as possible.

• Arrive early. The earlier in the morning you arrive at the most popular viewing spots the more likely you are to avoid the crowds. This makes it easier to capture photos without people in the way too.
  
• Pack a picnic. Traditionally, Japanese families will spend the day sitting under the cherry blossoms, packing a picnic and sitting on a blanket to enjoy the flowers at their own pace. Head straight to your nearest 7/11 to pick up picnic snacks on your way to the blossoms.
  
• Dress warmly. Japan can still be chilly in spring, especially if you do follow these tips and arrive early. You don’t want to be sitting on the cold ground. For extra instaworthy points, consider dressing in pink so your outfit complements the blooms.
  
• Be Respectful. These trees are incredibly important to Japanese culture. Treat them with respect. Don’t touch the roots, shake the branches, or remove the petals from the tree.

The Cultural Significance Of Cherry Blossoms In Japan

You probably already know that in Japan cherry blossoms are known as ‘sakura’. But did you also know that cherry blossoms are a highly significant symbol and that they represent the fleeting nature of life, beauty and the renewal of life?

For many Japanese people, sakura also symbolizes human mortality. For this reason, flower viewing in the country is a huge point of cultural celebration. Flower viewing is known as ‘hanami’

Cherry blossoms hold so many meanings and the season has huge importance: it’s no coincidence that almost every retail space in the country will release exclusive sakura themed products!

I find the cultural significance of the cherry blossoms almost more fascinating that the flowers themselves. If you have an interest in Japanese culture then it really is a great time to visit the country.

This isn’t a sponsored post but it does contain affiliate links. You won’t be charged if you use these links to make a booking, but I will earn a very small commission towards booking our next trip!

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