Embark on a once-in-a-lifetime experience with Japan’s Cherry Blossom tours. As the delicate pink flowers bloom across the country, they create a picturesque landscape, making it the best time of year to experience Japan’s natural beauty and culture.
Continue reading
This blog post will discuss when, and in particular where to see cherry blossoms in Japan.
This is the sixty four million dollar question. As we discussed in our last blog, it is generally from late March to April depending on locations in Japan. However, timing is slightly different from year to year due to climate and weather. It is hard to predict far in advance, and the best way to see the blooms is to spread your chances and include many cherry blossom spots in the hope that you will see different stages of cherry blossoms and hit the peak at some time during your stay.
So, we still recommend you travel from late March to April if you are travelling in Honshu, the main island of Japan (or into May if you are travelling to Hokkaido. See below), but include a few different microclimate spots such as lower and higher altitudes, coastal towns and in the mountains to maximize your viewing.
I travel all over Japan every year, and my favourite places to see the delicate pink flowers tend to be in the countryside rather than cities. Cherry blossoms at iconic sights in Tokyo and Kyoto are beautiful, but I recommend you consider including some of the less-known viewing spots in rural Japan in your trip. In the countryside, less crowds means you can leisurely enjoy strolling, or perhaps have a picnic under the trees. You can also immerse yourself in the regional cultures and traditions more easily.
The Hokuriku region includes Niigata, Toyama, Ishikawa and Fukui prefectures. Apart from Ishikawa prefecture, the other areas are much less known by international tourists, yet, they are very accessible (connected by shinkansen). Hokuriku region is rich in culture such as regional food and crafts, naturally spectacular, and most importantly has many gorgeous cherry blossom viewing spots including castle grounds, Japanese gardens and along river banks. This year in 2024, I was very lucky to see possibly the best cherry blossom displays I have ever seen, it was on our Cherry Blossom Tour of Sea of Japan Coast with our guests.
Kyushu is the southernmost island among the four main islands of Japan. It is known for its temperate climate and laidback lifestyle. Kyushu has a great combination of features of Japan that travellers to the country look for. Vibrant city and nightlife of Fukuoka, best known pottery towns and rural landscapes in Saga, samurai history and mighty Mt Aso in Kumamoto to name a few. Kyushu is slightly warmer than Honshu, and you can catch cherry blossoms early in the season. We run the Food and Cherry Blossom Tour of Kyushu Japan focusing on Japanese food cultures and production as well as cherry blossoms.
We have run the Cherry Blossom Tour of Northern Japan for many years and this has been very popular with our guests. Some cherry blossom sites such as Hirosaki Castle and Kakunodate are getting famous, but still not too overly crowded. Travellers can enjoy staying in a small local hotel or ryokan, enjoy authentic rural experiences and the warm hospitality of local people. You can see cherry blossoms in Tohoku much later in the season into late April.
You still have lots of time to plan your trip to Japan for the 2025 cherry blossom season. Book your Cherry Blossom Tour today.
Written by Yuki Takano
Director of Journey to the East Pty Ltd
Yuki founded Journey to the East, a tour operator specializing in tours to Japan with her husband Col in 2013. Yuki travels to Japan regularly for her research, and creates unique tours for the guests.
Japan has a quite few national holidays in May and one of them is Children’s Day (KODOMONO HI ), celebrated on 5th of May every year. It started as a celebration for boys, to wish them a healthy and happy life. It has now developed into a celebration for not only boys but for all children. In addition, these days it is an opportunity for kids to show their appreciation of their parents for their effort and dedication in raising them.
When spring arrives Japan, flowers are blooming, and the weather is pleasantly warm. A lot of people think April is the best time to visit Japan, which is true if you want to see cherry blossoms. However, weather-wise, May would be a better month. Whilst the weather is already started to warm in April, there still are a few chilly periods whereas May is consistently warm and sunny. Hence if weather is your main concern, then May would be the best season to visit Japan.
If you are planning to visit Japan during the spring season, be mindful that Japan has a week with a series of public holidays starting from the end of April through to the first week of May, which is known as Golden Week. The Golden Week is a combination of a few national holidays including the Children’s Day and a weekend, so can extend as long as 10 days. It is one of the busiest times for any of the popular tourist destinations throughout Japan. Pre Covid-19, you could expect large crowds everywhere you visit at this time and rather long queues to get into any popular sightseeing places. With the current situation and the world aiming to get back to normality, you would not expect a large crowd this year.
When the children’s day is getting closer, some houses hang up the carp streamers (called KOI NOBORI in Japanese) on their balconies or in their backyard. Carp is a symbol of strength, courage, and success. So, the families hang out the carp streamers in the hope that their children will grow up well. When the wind blows, it looks as if the carps are swimming in the sky. As you can see in the picture, there are usually a few carp in one set. The black carp, the largest one, represents the father and the red carp represents the mother, the blue carp represents a child (traditionally, the son) and if you have more kids in the family, usually more carp streamers such as pink, green and orange ones can be added representing other siblings.
Besides the carp streamers, another typical item that is part of celebrating Children’s Day is GOGATSU NINGYO (May dolls) which contain samurai armor, sword and KABUTO (a warrior helmet as pictured here). They are usually displayed in a prominent place in the house to represent the parent’s wishes to raise strong and powerful boys.
You will find special Japanese sweets sold at confectionary shops and supermarkets throughout Japan around the time of children’s day. They are very traditional Japanese sweets and have been eaten by Japanese people for centuries.
1. CHIMAKI
Chimaki is a steamed glutinous rice dumpling wrapped in a bamboo leaf.
2. KASHIWA MOCHI
Kashiwa mochi is a rice cake filled with sweet red bean paste and wrapped in oak leaves (Kashiwa) which symbolise good fortune and prosperity. This is because the oak tree does not shed its old leaves until new ones have grown.
Journey to the East offers tours with May departures. One of our most popular group tours at this time is the “Garden and Art Tour of Japan “. For more information, please visit,
If you prefer to travel with your own private group, then Journey to the East can help you with a tailor-made tour. Please check out our Private Tours page. We have a range of model itineraries for private tours to start planning your next holiday to Japan. Let us assist you with creating the trip of a lifetime! Why not chat with one of our professional travel consultants through our Contact Us page.
We look forward to hearing from you soon!
Journey to the East offers a range of most exciting Small Group Tours of Japan. Please check them out !
Is Valentine’s Day celebrated in Japan? Valentine’s Day occurs every February 14th around the world and generally people exchange candy, flowers and gifts between loved ones and special friends. Indeed, when the tradition started men gave gifts to ladies they secretly admired.
The mysterious far eastern country, Japan, has a Valentine’s culture of its own. Many local supermarkets, department stores, and patisseries are full of chocolate products every year from late January to February 14th. The Valentines advertisements and gift wrapping are decorated in red and pink ♡ shapes. Valentine’s Day in Japan has a unique tradition; it is the day when women give chocolates to men to “confess their love.”
Until a few years ago, Valentine’s Day in Japan was the day when women confessed their love to men, however, the event has changed with time. Of course, some people still make a “confession of love”, but Valentine’s Day in Japan is becoming an opportunity to express various forms of “affection” with a gift of chocolates. Here are some examples.
The traditional way of thinking in Japan. A woman gives chocolates to a man she loves and confesses her love to him. Some present handmade chocolates, others buy expensive ones, but all are true gifts from the heart. For a single person it is a confession of love, for those already in a relationship, it is considered the proof of ongoing love.
First appeared around the 1980s. Japanese women prepared chocolates for men, such as friends, bosses, colleagues at work, customers to whom they wanted to show their appreciation or friendship. Giri-choco has no romantic implications. It is intended to convey gratitude and deepen communication, and many are purchased at a reasonable price.
This is a friendship gift. Women and especially teenage girls give chocolates to each other as proof of their friendship. They enjoy this opportunity to choose chocolates that match their girlfriend’s tastes, such as sweets and cute things, and to create the opportunity to comment on each other’s gifts.
Chocolate that is lovingly given from female family members to male family members (husband, son, father, etc.). Women enjoy cooking chocolate-based confectionery with their children to share with their family. The whole family enjoys the time together at home on February 14th.
Women buy chocolates for themselves. As a reward to themselves for working hard at work or in their daily lives, women give themselves the treat of chocolates.
Another unique Japanese custom. On March 14th, one month after Valentine’s Day, men will offer a return gift of cookies, marshmallows, candies etc. to women. A man who was given a Honmei-choco (true love gift) but does not want to reciprocate the affection, will not offer a return gift.
Valentine’s Day concept is believed to have been brought to Japan for commercial purposes by the retail and confectionery industry in the 1950s after World War Ⅱ.
The question is, why did Valentine’s Day become a day that women choose to confess their love to men?
In Japan, ‘Yamato Nadeshiko’ which means a traditional Japanese woman who is modest, walks three steps behind her man making him look good, was regarded as how a woman should be. Therefore, it was difficult for women to be forward with their feelings. However, around the 1950’s Japanese women started to gain more control as major consumers, and they were further influenced by the Women’s Liberation movement in the United States. For these reasons, it is believed that this unique Valentine’s Day culture in Japan became a big hit and spread all over Japan.
Although Valentine’s Day does not have any historical or spiritual connection with Japanese people, they embraced the spirit of Valentine’s Day and developed it in their unique way. Japanese generally are flexible in accepting other cultures and events.
Whether there is a religious or traditional connection or not, Japanese love festivals. Around Valentine’s Day streets and shops are decorated beautifully just like they are during Christmas time. Pretty red and pink love heart decorations encourage shy Japanese people to open up with their love.
Why not visit Japan in February and enjoy Valentine’s Day in Japan? You will be surrounded by the feeling of love and delicious chocolates that are beautifully displayed.
Journey to the East has two tours running across Valentine’s Day including the very special and popular Snow Spectacular Tour of Japan
If you are thinking about a winter trip to Japan, we highly recommend you include Hokkaido where you can have the best snow and winter experience!
Hokkaido is the northern end of Japan’s island and the largest prefecture in Japan. The capital city of Hokkaido is Sapporo, and it takes just less than 2 hours to fly from Tokyo’s Haneda Airport. The Sapporo Snow Festival (Yuki Matsuri ) Japan is the biggest and most well-known winter festival in Japan. Hokkaido island is quite large and offers magnificent nature and unique landscapes. Also, the indigenous people of Hokkaido the “Ainu” add a fascinating and distinct culture to the island.
Today in this blog, I hope you will find more about Hokkaido and interesting things to do during the winter time.
Sapporo Snow Festival (Yuki Matsuri) began back in 1950, when local high school students created six snow sculptures in Odori Park. After that, the snow festival became known as a seasonal event held every winter by people in Sapporo. Today, it has become the biggest winter festival in Japan, and held every year for a week in early February.
The snow festival is usually staged on three different sites: Odori site, Susukino site and Tsu Dome site.
The Odori Park is the main venue for the Sapporo ice Festival. The park runs right through the city of Sapporo. There are about 400 snow and ice sculptures at the festival, and you can see many different sizes of beautiful artwork made by snow and ice. The festival’s famous large snow building sculptures that measures more than 25m wide and 15m high are also exhibited there. An illumination and projection mapping show lights up the venue at night and creates the magical winter wonderland.
Apart from the snow and ice sculptures, there are musical and dance performances delivered from stages made of ice, lots of food stools – local and international food including warm beverage, and snow activities such as ice skating for families and kids.
At the Susukino site, ice-carving exhibition/competition is held. Susukino is also known as one of the largest entertainment districts in Japan. During the festival season, you will find lots of beautiful ice sculptures lit up all the way along the middle of the street. There you can also find small bars made out of ice where you can try some hot mulled wine or cocktails.
Hokkaido experiences huge amounts of snowfall during the winter especially from December to February. The quality of powder snow in Hokkaido is highly praised and attracts people from all over the world for its world-famous skiing destination. For those who are not really into skiing or snowboarding, don’t think you have to miss out all the winter fun! Hokkaido offers variety of unique winter activities that you cannot experience in the mainland of Japan.
One of the experiences you can only have in Hokkaido is seeing drift ice aboard an icebreaker cruise in the Okhotsk Sea. In the town of Abashiri, you can board an icebreaker to experience first-hand the break the drift ice. You will take the most exciting winter voyage there.
The Kushiro wetlands are home to Japan’s beautiful red-crested white cranes (Tancho-zuru). Kushiro Shitsugen National Park is a huge wetlands area which was designated in 1987 to protect the dwindling population of red-crested cranes. You can visit the crane sanctuary to see these elegant birds ‘dancing’ in their natural environment and white snow.
There are still plenty of ways you can enjoy in the snow. Why not put Japanese snow shoes on and walk around the massive beautiful snowy land. You may like to go ice-fishing, take a ride across the frozen lake on a snowmobile, snow tubing or sledding. You can also simply enjoy playing snowball fights or making your own snowman.
Otaru is a small harbour city, about 40 minutes from Sapporo by train. The Otaru Snow Light Path Festival is usually held around the same time as the Sapporo Snow Festival. The city becomes decorated in lights, glittering lanterns and small snow statues for about a week. The light path on white snow creates the most romantic atmosphere. You can enjoy the view of warm yellow light path over the canal area on foot.
Hokkaido is also well known for high quality fresh seafood, agricultural and dairy products, beer and whisky productions with its unique climate and large farmlands.
Winter is special time of the year in Japan, being much quieter and full of traditional events and rituals. Snow against red gates of shrines and temples, or in the rural fields add serene feel to this densely populated country.
Our Snow Spectacular Tour of Japan has been designed to offer the best of winter in Japan! This small group tour of just 8 guests takes you on a unique 15-day journey through the heart of the Japanese Alps and to the remote wilderness of Japan’s northernmost island of Hokkaido. It includes the 2022 Sapporo Snow Festival. The tour reveals the spectacular beauty of Japan during winter-time through an amazing selection of experiences.
If you are interested more in food, why don’t you join our Food Tour of Hokkaido? This 13-day Food Tour is staged on an island of Hokkaido and offers you a gastronomic Japanese food adventure in Hokkaido. You will be exploring the regional specialities from ramen to premium wagyu beef, whisky to sake, traditional sweets to freshest seafood
Needless to say, Sakura (cherry blossoms) would be the biggest attraction during spring in Japan for many people.
The cherry blossoms usually start fully blooming in the southern part of Japan around the end of March and gradually move up to the northern part of Japan. The blooming time is only for a week or two. What makes cherry blossoms even more attractive is that they are so fragile, short-lived and scatter their petals just a few days after they flower.
Sakura (cherry blossoms) are closely tied to Japanese history, culture and identity. Originally used to divine the year’s harvest, sakura came to embody “wabi-sabi” philosophy and shinto ideals of impermanence, hope and renewal.
Spring is also the special season for many Japanese people. Being 1st of April is the beginning of financial year in Japan, our new chapter of life usually starts in April – new school, new semester, university entrance or very first full-time job after graduating from school. School graduations are in March and entrance ceremonies are in April, new friends at the new place, the beautiful cherry blossom has somehow always been in my childhood memories.
Each year when the spring season comes, Japanese people go outside and gather together to admire the beauty of the cherry blossoms.
Why not enjoy the sakura (cherry blossoms) in the Japanese way while you are in Japan?
Hanami (花見), which lietrally means “flower viewing” in Japanese, is the traditional custom of enjoying and admiring the beauty of cherry blossoms.
People sit under cerry blossom trees in a park, gather in a group of family and friends, eat, drink and chat for hours.
Hanami is like a picnic or a party in the cherry blossom season, and some groups actually stay there all day into the night time.
Hanami at night is called Yozakura (夜桜). The illuminated sakura trees and falling petals create the most fantastic atmosphere.
There are many sites throughout the country famous for their spectacular blossoms, such as parks, mountains, sakura-lined streets, temples and shrines. You can enjoy Hanami under the sakura trees at any parks. Popular sites often become very crowded with lots of people so you need to go early and secure your spot. Some places have yatai (mobile food stalls) where you can buy street food and drinks.
Why not stop for a while, admire the beauty of cherry blossoms, relax and have your obento and drink under the cherry blossoms?
If you like to know when is the best time to see cherry blossoms to plan your trip, you might find the Sakura forecast is very useful! Every year, Japan Meteorological Corporation release its forecast of cherry blossoms flowering in each area. Remember though, even in the same city the peak blossom time may vary based on the species of cherry trees in the park, so use expert knowledge to be at the right place at the right time.
We are offering a wide range of Cherry Blossom Tours of Japan. Each of our spring tours has been specifically designed to show you the best of Japan during Japan’s famous cherry blossom season. On each trip the settings are different to take advantage of the season as it rolls by each year. We are also happy to arrange customised Private Tours specifically for you.
Choose springtime in Japan with Cherry Blossom Tours of Journey to the East to take you to the magnificent Japanese cherry blossoms at just the right time, and you know it is going to be a holiday of a lifetime.
We look forward to showing you beautiful Japan as soon as possible!
In Japan, every year on the 3rd of March we celebrate Hinamatsuri. It is a celebration of girls, and some say this Japanese traditional custom started in the Heian period which is over 1,000 years ago. Hinamatsuri is a celebration where parents wish and pray for the happiness and health of their daughters by displaying special Hina dolls on red cloth covered platforms. And to complete the celebration, a traditional Japanese feast would be served at home.
In the old days, people believed that the dolls possessed special power to keep evil spirits away. So, in addition to celebrating the happiness and health of girls, it was believed that Hina dolls would protect their daughters and keep unwanted diseases and accidents away as the dolls would take their place to absorb all the misfortune.
Parents would usually display Hina dolls around the middle of February and pack them away as soon as the 3rd of March is over. This is because according to an old Japanese superstition, if the dolls are still left out after the Hinamatsuri, it will bring the family bad luck and that the family would have trouble marrying off their daughters. The superstition comes from the thought that if you cannot be organised enough to pack things away timely, you cannot possibly become a great lady and find a good husband to marry.
The Hinamatsuri is also known as Momo no Sekku which means the peach blossom festival. Peach blossoms, which bloom around late February to early March, are regarded as a sign of spring’s arrival. When winter is finally almost over and a long-awaited spring is just around the corner, it is celebrated as Momo no Sekku.
For families with young daughters, Hinamatsuri would be a very important occasion where the family would hold a big party. Particularly while the daughters are still young, parents tend to go overboard to make this day memorable.
The first and most important part of celebrating Hinamatsuri is the display of Hina dolls. The Standard Hina dolls is a set of 15 dolls arranged together on five- or seven-tiered red cloth covered platforms. These 15 Hina dolls represent an imperial family in ancient times. There are 2 dolls at the top of the tier representing the Emperor and Empress, followed by three court ladies, five musicians, two ministers and three servants, there are also small pieces of furniture and small dishes.
When I was a child, it was common to have a five or seven tier set. The dolls are usually passed down from older generations or gifted from grandparents. These days, it is more common to have a simpler version of Hina dolls where the set would only have two dolls (Emperor and Empress) or a very compact dolls set. I guess it is because that a five or seven tier set would cost from approximately AUD 3,000 to AUD 15,000 depending on the quality. In addition, with the current living arrangement, where most people in Japan live in a more compact space, it would be highly inconvenient to display a 15-doll set. Hence, the custom is modified to fit into the current lifestyle.
CHIRASHIZUSHI
The main dish to have on the day of Hinamatsuri is Chirashizushi also known as scattered sushi. This dish consists of sushi rice spread on a plate or bento box artfully decorated with a variety of colorful and pretty toppings. The common toppings on chirashizushi are thinly sliced egg crepes, shiitake mushrooms, snow peas, nori (seaweed), lotus root, prawn, salmon roe, crab meat and raw fish. It is such an aesthetically pleasing dish packed with umami rich ingredients.
CLAM SOUP
Clam shells symbolise a harmonious couple. As such, it is an important dish to have on Hinamatsuri to wish a daughter a perfect husband and happy marriage in their future. The soup is very subtle, clean, and refreshing. Only featuring the quality of broth from clams, the soup is topped with zest of yuzu citrus and mitsuba (Japanese parsley) to add freshness.
HISHI MOCHI
Hishi Mochi is a tricolor diamond shaped mochi (rice cake). The diamond shape is thought to represent fertility and the tricolour of red, white and green symbolises health.
HINA ARARE
These multi coloured rice puffs are a traditional confectionery eaten on Hinamatsuri day. Generally, they come in pink, green, yellow and white. There are two types of Hina arare, Kanto (the Greater Tokyo region) style which is the most common and is made from ordinary rice puffed and coated with sugar, and Kansai (the Greater OSAKA region) style which is made of glutinous rice and generally flavoured with soy sauce, seaweed and shrimp.
JAPANESE SWEETS
Many kinds of Japanese sweets would be available during Hinamatsuri such as tri-coloured rice balls and lollies with shapes of Hina dolls and flowers.
When the Hinamatsuri season comes, you will see a lot of Hinamatsuri sweets displayed at many supermarkets throughout Japan and Hina dolls exhibition will be available at museums around Japan. When you see these decorations, it makes you feel that spring is just around the corner, the weather is warming up and flowers such as peach and plum blossom will start to bloom throughout Japan. This is one of the most exciting and delightful times to enjoy Japan. Journey to the East offers many spring tours starting from March through May. Relax, unwind, explore and feast with one of our Japan spring tours for your next holiday. To find out more information about our tours, please visit our cherry blossom tours
Journey to the East offers a range of most exciting Small Group Tours of Japan. Please check them out!
Setsubun “節分” is the day before the beginning of spring in the old calendar in Japan (This year it was 2nd February). On this day, we throw soybeans to Oni (demons) while shouting “Oni wa soto, Fuku wa uchi! (Devils out, Fortune in!)”.
The Mame maki (throwing beans) and eating a whole Sushi roll (Eho-maki), on this day, is a traditional Japanese ritual. It is believed to get rid of all the bad luck and bring happiness and good things for the coming season.
On the day of Setsubun, Mame maki events are usually held at shrines and temples throughout Japan. It is definitely interesting to see and experience if you ever visit Japan this time of the year!
The centuries old Takayama festival apparently started in the 17th century. There is little documented history about the start of the event, it is held to commemorate a good harvest. One of the largest festivals in Japan, it is a spectacle not to miss.
The Takayama festival is famous for the large ornate floats which are pulled around the city at night for two or three hours. Some floats (yatai) have their origins dating back to the start of the festival in the 17th century.
They are splendidly decorated with intricate carvings of gilded wood with detailed metal and lacquer work inside and out. The ornate floats are also decorated with intricate embroidered drapery. As dusk settles in, dozens and dozens of lanterns are lit on each of the floats. The floats each represent a district in Takayama and the teams associated with each float are dressed in their district’s traditional dress.
From morning to late afternoon of both days of the festival, the yatai are on display in the streets of Takayama in specially designed storehouses. Several of the yatai have large sophisticated mechanical dolls called karakuri ningyo and they can move and dance.
The colour and atmosphere at the festival are something you will remember for a long time and especially because the festival is right at the peak of the cherry blossom season too. Wondering through Takayama is fascinating at the best of times but the festival takes it up yet another notch.
As you can imagine, the festival is a very popular event visited by several hundred thousand people from across Japan and the world. You can imagine Takayama swells in numbers and to get accommodation you need to book early. As a result, hotels in Takayama are booked out many months in advance.
The Journey to the East APRIL Cherry Blossom tours will takes you right to the heat of this unforgettable display of culture and history.
