Sakura is the Japanese word for cherry blossom! Between April and Mai which is spring during this time of the year in Japan, people from all nationalities come to witness beautiful cherry trees that are in bloom all over the country. But I belive that the locals truly enjoy this festive season more than anyone else.

With this post I am not going to advise you when and where you should admire the beautiful pink flowers. It’s to complicated so I am just going to link you a site that should help you further. And to be honest, I can’t remember how we got to each of the cherry blossom viewing because we were both very much under the spell of the beauty of the flowers so we were a bit “groogy”? However, I hope with this post you will get all the motivation you need to book that flight ticket to Japan!

Here are some of the spots in Japan where we were completely surrounded by the cherry blossom!

 In Tokyo

Cherry blossom at the UENO park

This is where you want to be if you want to have a picnic and party with thousand of local having fun and enjoying themself with friends and family. During the festival, about 1000 lanterns illuminate the park and people would celebrate under the night sky.

I was amused to see that the local enjoyed the cherry blossom so much as if they saw it for the first time in their life. Even though they must have seen it every year ever since they were born and they will probably see it many more years to come.

The stylish Japanese girls surrounded by cherry blossom flower petals.

I loved eating a delicious Poke Bowl under the falling cherry blossom petals. Afterwards, we would lay down underneath the trees and look up to the sky and watch the rain of petals swirling down on us. No, I am not being cheezy…it was that romantic!

Cherry blossom by the Meguro river

The cherry blossom by the Meguro river was very beautiful in spite of the heavy rain and grey sky. If I am not wrong, it is worth coming here on the evening as you can enjoy night-time illuminations of the cherry blossoms.

I really admire the local who enjoy and appreciate the pink cherry blossom in spite the heavy rain.

Cherry blossom at the Inokashira park

Like many other parks, the Inokashira park was loaded with people enjoying the cherry blossom.

Cherry blossom at the Aoyama cementery

If you prefer some quite moment head to the Aoyama cemetary where you will share the cherry trees with very few people.

Cherry blossom at Chidoragifushi

There’s is not much to say about this place as it was raining and very cold and for us the cherry blossom viewing ended after 5 minutes.

In Kyoto

Cherry blossom at the Philosopher’s path

This 2km walk along the canal at the Philosopher’s path was our favorite day of all the cherry viewing. Much people, but a very lovely walk with cute coffee shops and restaurant all along the path. 

Cherry blossom at the Keage incline

Here at the Keage incline you can enjoy rows of cherry blossom trees on both sides of the old and short railroad tracks that was use to transport equipment and boats. It is a very short walk but it is worth stopping by if you are visiting the Nanzen-ji Temple in Higashiyama near by.

Cherry blossom at Kamogawa River

In the centre of Kyoto you can walk alongside the Kamogawa river. There are some spots here and there with cherry trees.

And by the street all over Japan….

If you are on the right place on the right time in Japan you will see the cherry blossom all over Japan, wherever you go. 

At the playground

In the city

So have you book that flight ticket to Japan yet?

Do you want to dress in Kimono while admiring the cherry blossom in Japan?  You can read more about it here.

Walking in Kimono in Kyoto Gyoen garden.