For those eager to see the first blossoms, Okinawa is the earliest stop. Japan’s southernmost prefecture typically begins blooming as early as February, offering a quieter setting for hanami against turquoise seas and subtropical greenery. By late March and April, most of Japan enters peak cherry blossom season, with parks, castles and riversides across the country hosting seasonal festivals.
Travellers who miss the main wave can head further north. In Hokkaido, blossoms extend into May, followed by expansive displays of “Shiba Sakura,” pink moss flowers that resemble cherry blossoms and form vivid carpets of colour. The moss pink typically peaks in May, while lavender fields bloom from July onward, making Hokkaido a multi-seasonal floral destination.
JNTO highlights several lesser-known viewing regions for those hoping to avoid heavy crowds, including Okinawa, Hokkaido, the Tohoku region, the Nikko Kaido Cherry Blossom Trail in Tochigi, Yoshino in Nara and Mount Noro in Hiroshima.
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The Mount Fuji area combines blossoms with iconic scenery. The Sagamiko Sakura festival, expected to run from around February 27 to April 12, features about 2,000 cherry blossom trees inside Sagamiko Mori Mori Amusement Park, along with seasonal attractions and camping facilities. From approximately April 11 to May 24, the Fuji Shibasakura festival near Lake Motosu will showcase more than 800,000 pink moss plants set against views of Mount Fuji.
For a more contemplative experience, Minobu Sakura, typically held from early to late April, centres on Kuonji Temple, an over 800-year-old temple in the Minobu mountain area known for its Shidare-zakura (weeping cherry blossoms). Visitors can take a seven-minute ropeway ride to reach a higher viewpoint and prayer area overlooking the blooms.
With the bloom stretching over several months and across regions, the 2026 forecast gives travellers flexibility — whether planning an early-season escape to Okinawa, a classic spring visit in April, or a late bloom experience in Hokkaido.
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