Cherry blossom season
When I was planning of my first trips to Japan during springtime I searched high and low for the “best” places to check out sakura. A lot of resources pointed to Kyoto.
While I totally agree that Kyoto is a wonderful place to visit, I had no idea that there were so many more options. Nowadays with over tourism in Japan, and especially in Kyoto, there is no better tome to have more options to enjoy hanami.
This blog is going to be short and sweet.
There are two great websites that I would suggest for planning a trip to Japan if cherry blossoms are a major reason.
Japan National Tourism Organization’s cherry blossom forecast. Head over here to check when and where sakura is going to peak. This will help to plan your best time to visit.
The list of Japan top 100 cherry blossom viewing sites on Wikitravel. Note that this reads “top” and not “best” which is subjective. This list was created by Japan Cherry Blossom Association and using the following criteria:
1. Each location is well-known
2. There are a relatively large amount of fully grown trees
3. Many visitors come to view the cherry blossoms
4. The area has history
5. The surrounding area is harmonious and beautiful
6. Each prefecture have at least one spot on the list
Keep exploring beyond the thousands of the same recommendations and enjoy something different.
Happy travels!
