Japan is well known for a number of things — sushi, tea ceremonies, kimonos, ninjas, anime, manga, and most importantly, cherry blossoms. The very word Japan conjures images of Mount Fuji surrounded by the pink flowers. The sakura (Japanese for ‘cherry blossom’) symbolizes mortality — the fleeting nature of life; it reminds us of how something so beautiful can also be short. The cherry blossom reminds us to live every day to the fullest. Here are some Japan cherry blossom tours you can take to experience the graceful beauty of nature, while making the most of life.
Cherry blossoms are a symbol of high importance in Japan, so much so that the flower is even featured on the 100 yen coin. The flower reaches full bloom in spring, which is when visitors flock to popular spots around the city to view these blossoms from and have a picnic under the blanket of these blushing petals. Spring typically is a bit chilly in Japan, with temperatures reaching an average of 12°C in March and about 17°C in April. However, the mornings and nights are especially chilly, with northern parts of Japan such as Hokkaido being especially cold. Hence, it is advised that when you are packing for your cherry blossom tour in Japan, carry along sweaters as well in case it is cold.
Cherry blossom season in Japan typically starts around March and goes on till the end of April. The northern parts of the country, such as Hokkaido, typically experience cherry blossom season much later — around May. In some cases, the season starts in February for slow blooming cherry blossom varieties like the Kawazuzakura (found in the city of Kawazu in Izu Peninsula) and the Atamizakura (found in the city of Atami, in Shizuoka perfecture). During this time, you can take a cherry blossom tour in Japan and check out the numerous cherry blossom festivals across the country that take place specifically around this time.
The following is a rough approximation of when cherry blossom season starts across the different cities in Japan:
The sakura (cherry blossom) is a flower of high importance in Japan. A symbol of transience, it is a reminder of the impermanence of life. To look at the beautiful pink canopy surrounding you may make you feel wistful, but is also an inspiration to enjoy every single minute.
The cherry blossoms only appear for about a month, so this time is filled with lots of revelry. Many people get together to indulge in hanami (cherry blossom viewing) with picnics or by attending sakura-themed festivals. A cherry blossom tour in Japan takes you to different places in the country from where you can admire the raw beauty of nature with a beautiful pink hue. To admire these delicate flowers is a peaceful experience in its own right.
Shizuoka Prefecture is about three hours away from Tokyo, and offers some of the best cherry blossom-viewing opportunities. It is also home to Kawazu, Izu Peninsula, which is known for local cherry blossom species, Kawazukzakura, which typically has a longer life than most of the other species. When you go to see the Kawazuzakura, here are some other things you can do in and around Shizuoka Prefecture.
Yes, cherry blossom tour tickets can be purchased online. It is actually recommended that you purchase your cherry blossom tour tickets online and in advance to secure your visit on the day of your preference.
Yes. There are several guided cherry blossom tours from Tokyo that take you to different parts of the country to see the flowers in full bloom.
The best day tours are combo tours as they include a variety of other experiences such as strawberry picking, ziplining, and the Mishima Skywalk.
You can take your pick from a wide range of options, such as guided tours, park entry tickets (non-guided), and combo tours. The benefit offered by guided and combo tours is an English-speaking guide and the inclusion of transfers in your ticket. Combo tours, in addition, take you to more experiences in the surrounding area after the cherry blossom viewing.
This depends on the tour — some allow you to cancel 24 hours in advance, some require a week’s notice, and some cannot be cancelled or rescheduled. It is highly advisable to check the cancellation policy before booking your tickets.
Your cherry blossom Japan tour tickets are valid for the date selected when booking the ticket.
It is recommended that you purchase your cherry blossom tour tickets in advance to get the date of your choosing.
Guided cherry blossom tours in Japan are typically conducted in English.
The best time to see cherry blossoms is during the bloom season, which falls between March and April.
While this depends on the tour chosen, an average cherry blossom tour from Tokyo takes about half a day (12 hours) including transfer time.
You can cancel these tickets up to 48 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
