Cherry Blossom Season in Japan
Cherry blossom season in Japan signals the start of a year-round tapestry of seasonal wonders. From hanami picnics beneath pink sakura to summer fireworks by the river, fiery autumn maples, and steaming winter onsen, each season delivers its own magic. This guide highlights both Japan’s iconic events and hidden gems across all four seasons.
Spring in Japan
For centuries, cherry blossoms have been at the heart of Japanese life. Court nobles, poets, painters and entertainers once gathered beneath soft pink petals to herald spring’s arrival. Today, hanami – literally “flower viewing” is a cherished national pastime, as families and friends spread mats under flowering branches for festive picnics.
Sakura first bloom in Okinawa in early February, then sweep northeast, reaching Hokkaido by late May. On Honshu, peak viewing usually falls from late March to mid-April. In Kyoto, the Philosopher’s Path becomes a tunnel of blooms, while Ueno Park in Tokyo sees over 1,200 trees drape its promenades in rosy clouds.
Because spring bookings fill fast – often a year in advance – seek quieter havens. Hirosaki Castle’s grounds burst into bloom with 2,600 trees each April, and the samurai streets of Kakunodate offer petals drifting against traditional wooden walls.
Discover Spring in Japan: Plum Blossoms, Tulips & Wisteria
Spring in Japan offers more than just cherry blossoms. From mid-February to mid-March, plum trees (ume) burst into vivid pink and white blooms, filling temple grounds from Kyoto to Tokyo with sweet perfume. In Hokkaido’s flower parks, endless carpets of tulips and phlox paint the fields in every hue imaginable.
By late April into early May, wisteria vines unfurl pale purple clusters overhead – you can stroll beneath these fragrant tunnels at Kameido Tenjin Shrine in Tokyo’s east. Meanwhile, gardens across the country shed their winter wraps and awaken in bright green: mossy stones, newly unfurled maples, and azalea bushes sparkle before your eyes. These seasonal treasures prove that Japan’s spring magic goes well beyond sakura.
Seasonal Spring Food in Japan
Spring brings a wealth of sakura-flavored treats – from delicate cherry-blossom mochi to fish-shaped taiyaki filled with sweet bean paste, and even petal-infused beers. Fresh bamboo shoots and lotus roots appear in bento boxes, alongside sushi, prawn tempura and grilled fish – perfect for park picnics. Many convenience stores stock these colorful lunches. At seafood stalls, look for clams cooked in their own juices over rice, garnished with mitsuba. For a richer option, try clams steamed in sake for an umami-packed delight.
Spring Festivals & Events
Osaka hosts one of the six Grand Sumo Tournaments each spring an ideal introduction to sumo’s simple yet thrilling ritual: wrestlers face off until one is forced out of the ring or touches the ground. Late March in Tokyo brings AnimeJapan at Big Sight, where hundreds of exhibitors, panels and workshops celebrate Japanese animation. Don’t miss the cosplay zone, where fans parade in intricate homemade costumes.
Seasonal Tips
Golden Week (late April) is Japan’s official spring holiday, when hotels and attractions fill up rapidly. To avoid crowds and high prices, plan your trip for mid-March to early April or late May. Booking trains and lodging at least three months in advance will help ensure your spring adventure goes smoothly.
Summer in Japan
Japan’s long festival season lights up the evenings with fireworks nearly every night, while hotel prices dip as visitor numbers fall. June through August can feel sticky, with daily highs around 32 °C, so take your first days easy and seek out air-conditioned cafes or riverside parks. In Hokkaido’s Shiretoko Peninsula, cooler air and wild landscapes reward hikers, bear-spotters, and whale-watchers. Nearby Shiraoi lets you learn Ainu culture at the open-air Upopoy Museum.
Summer dishes focus on refreshment: slurp cold noodles in hiyashi chūka, piled with crisp cucumber and soft peach, or cool off with syrupy kakigōri from street stalls or artisanal shops. Don’t miss Obon in August – dances and fireworks honor ancestors and Tokushima’s Awa Odori, where dancers in wooden geta and jingasa hats parade through the streets.
Autumn in Japan
When momiji maples turn the countryside red and gold from late September to mid-November, Japan wears its most predictable color show. Peak foliage travels north, so you can board a train in summer green and watch leaves change on the Nakasendō or the Kurobe Gorge Railway. Cyclists will love the Shimanami Kaidō’s ocean vistas, while hikers and cable-car riders explore the Japanese Alps under crisp 15–22 °C skies.
Autumn also brings hearty flavors: smoky sanma (autumn mackerel), crunchy daikon, and sweet kuri (chestnuts) in everything from barbecues to desserts. At Tsukimi moon-viewing festivals, families admire the harvest moon and snack on tsukimi dango rice dumplings. September draws fewer crowds and mild weather – ideal for value-conscious travelers.
Winter in Japan
December through February is Japan’s driest season. Kyoto and Hiroshima stay mild, but northern regions like Hokkaido receive heavy snow perfect for skiing in Niseko or soaking among snow-dusted trees at Zaborin Ryokan’s outdoor onsen. In Yudanaka, watch snow monkeys luxuriate in hot springs before you warm up in human baths nearby.
Winter seafood shines with snow crab shabu-shabu in Kanazawa’s Omicho Market. Cities glow with German-style Christmas markets and Kobe’s 200,000-light holiday illuminations. New Year’s Eve brings mochi and toshikoshi soba noodles, temple bell-ringing, and family gatherings. If you visit in February, don’t miss the Sapporo Snow Festival’s towering ice sculptures.
