7 Must-See Cherry Blossom Festivals in Japan
- Published on : 19/02/2026
- by : Joshua
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Cherry blossoms, known as "sakura" in Japanese, are an everlasting symbol of the Japanese archipelago. The distinctive silhouette of the flower is found everywhere from pop culture to the insignias of historic institutions, and to see the trees blooming in springtime is a pilgrimage for many interested in Japanese culture.
In Japan, the season for these blush-toned flowers is celebrated with countless festivals held throughout the archipelago. For visitors to the country as well, these sakura matsuri present a great opportunity to take in the beautiful views of flowering trees as well as a lively, authentic atmosphere. Here are seven cherry blossom festivals in different prefectures throughout Japan that are well worth seeing firsthand!
1. Yayoi Festival (Tochigi)
The Yayoi Festival in Nikko, held during the cherry blossom season, is an ancient festival dating back to the 8th century. Its unique feature is its floats decorated with sakura flowers, called hana yatai, which parade through the streets of the city to announce the arrival of spring. It was once celebrated in March, a month called “Yayoi” in the old Japanese calendar; hence the name Yayoi Matsuri, “Festival of March” (Yayoi is also the name of an ancient period in Japanese history).
On April 17th, a total of eleven floats parade from the eastern and western districts of Nikko and gather at Futarasan Jinja, one of the many shrines and temples in Nikko listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Music and ritual greetings punctuate the ceremony. Futarasan Jinja is a place dedicated to the mountain itself. It was founded in 790 by the monk Shodo, who was the first to climb Mount Nantai and founded the shrine there.
Yayoi Matsuri
@KimonBerlin on Wikimedia, CC BY-SA 2.0
2. Ueno Cherry Blossom Festival (Tokyo)
The Ueno Park Cherry Blossom Festival takes place each spring in Ueno Park, transforming one of Tokyo’s most historic public spaces into a sea of soft pink. More than a thousand cherry trees line the park’s central pathways, creating a tunnel of blossoms that draws visitors from across Japan and around the world. As part of the broader hanami tradition, friends, families, and coworkers gather beneath the trees with picnic sheets, seasonal foods, and drinks to celebrate the fleeting beauty of sakura. Lanterns are hung along the main promenade, and when illuminated in the evening, they cast a warm glow that makes yozakura (nighttime blossom viewing) especially magical.
Beyond the blossoms themselves, the festival atmosphere reflects the cultural richness of the surrounding Ueno district. Visitors can combine hanami with trips to nearby institutions like the Tokyo National Museum or Ueno Zoo, making it an easy full-day outing. Food stalls often appear during peak bloom, offering festival favorites such as yakisoba and taiyaki, while street performers and musicians add to the lively ambiance. Although it can become quite crowded on the weekends, the sense of shared celebration and the breathtaking canopy of blossoms make the Ueno Park Cherry Blossom Festival one of Tokyo’s most iconic spring experiences.
Ueno Cherry Blossom Festival
@Hetarllen Mumriken on Wikimedia, CC BY-SA 2.0
3. Maruyama Koen Cherry Blossom Festival (Kyoto)
Located at the foot of Kyoto’s historic Higashiyama district, the park is especially famous for its towering weeping cherry tree, the “Gion Shidarezakura,” which becomes the centerpiece of the celebration. During peak bloom, the tree is dramatically illuminated at night, casting a soft pink glow over the surrounding pathways and creating an enchanting yozakura (nighttime sakura viewing) atmosphere.
Locals and visitors alike gather beneath the blossoms with picnic blankets, seasonal treats, and warm drinks, embracing the centuries-old tradition of admiring the fleeting beauty of sakura. The festival’s charm is heightened by its proximity to some of Kyoto’s most iconic landmarks, including Yasaka Shrine just beside the park and the preserved streets of Gion nearby. Food stalls typically line the walkways during peak season, offering festival favorites like yakitori, takoyaki, and sakura-themed sweets.
Maruyama Koen Hanami
@Japanexperterna.se on Wikimedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
4. Hirosaki Park Cherry Blossom Festival (Aomori)
The Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival in Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture, is one of Japan's greatest opportunities to witness the country's iconic flowers. The festival is held in Hirosaki Park around Hirosaki Castle, home to 2,600 trees among its 25 (or 50, depending on who is counting) species of cherry trees. The cherry trees currently around the castle were planted in 1903, although trees were first planted around the castle some 300 years ago.
The festival is held from late April to early May, giving expats and visitors an opportunity to visit during their Golden Week holidays. The blossoms come out much later in Aomori than in most of Japan due to its far northern location. Locals claim that Aomori flowers are the most beautiful in Japan because of the way they are pruned, using the same techniques that local apple farmers use to prune their apples. Don't miss the nightly illumination of the cherry trees, which occurs sometime after sunset (times vary) until 11 pm.
Hirosaki Castle
@Nguyễn Thanh Tùng on Pexels
5. Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival (Shizuoka)
Each year, the small town of Kawazu in Shizuoka Prefecture takes advantage of the cherry blossoms to pay tribute to the region's tree, the Kawazu Zakura. Discovered along the Kawazu River in the 1950s, the Kawazu-zakura is a particular variety of cherry blossom. With its large petals and bright pink tones, this blossom is hard to miss.
But it is especially its flowering that makes it stand out from the rest. Lasting one month, the flowering time is surprisingly long and begins in February, unlike other cherry trees that usually bloom from mid-March and for a much shorter period of time. This makes Kawazu an especially great destination to visit before peak spring travel times.
Kawazuzkura
@Raita on Wikimedia, CC BY 2.0
From February 10th to March 10th, the banks of the Kawazu River are adorned with pink. For the festival, the city always has big plans. Light displays are set up each evening from 18:00 to 21:00 to illuminate the trees, and food stands and stalls selling cherry blossom charms will allow you to discover local crafts.
6. Kitakami Cherry Blossom Festival (Iwate)
Kitakami, a small town in northern Tohoku, is very accessible thanks to its Shinkansen station. It reveals itself in its best light every year from mid-April to the beginning of May. It is one of the three best places to enjoy sakura in Michinoku (this region of northern Tohoku), along with the other famous spots of Kakunodate and Hirosaki. In Kitakami, you will appreciate the beauty of a huge "tunnel of cherry blossoms" two kilometers long on the banks of the Kitakami River, with the waves swollen by the freshwater coming from the surrounding mountains, which, very often, are still snow-capped in this season.
To make the party even more beautiful, Kitakami sets the time for the children's party with the "Koinobori." These carp in fabrics flying in the wind, mouths wide open and very colorful, unfold above the Kitakami River, which is very wide. It is, therefore, necessary to have very long cables stretched between the two banks on which about 300 koinobori move. All these carp swimming in the sky are a magnificent sight, almost hypnotizing!
Sakura tunnel in Kitakami
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7. Yasukuni Shrine Cherry Blossom Festival (Tokyo)
The cherry trees at Yasukuni Shrine serve as a reference point for the national cherry blossom season: when five flowers appear, it signals the start of the sakura season per the Japan Meteorological Agency. The shrine grounds are home to around 500 cherry trees, including a specimen of Somei Yoshino that serves as Tokyo’s official benchmark tree for announcing the start of the cherry blossom season. During the festival period, visitors stroll along lantern-lined paths, enjoy hanami picnics beneath the blossoms, and experience the serene yet celebratory atmosphere unique to shrine grounds.
Yasukuni Shrine Cherry Blossom Festival
@Toshihiro Gamo on Flickr, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
In the evenings, the trees are softly illuminated, creating a tranquil yozakura setting that contrasts with the busier hanami spots elsewhere in the city. Traditional performances are held on the grounds as well during the cherry blossom season. Food stalls and small festival booths often appear during peak bloom, offering seasonal snacks and drinks, while the shrine’s traditional architecture provides a striking backdrop to the pale pink canopy overhead.
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