Japan is turned powder pink between January and May, when the country’s annual cherry blossom season provides one of Earth’s most vivid natural displays.
The Japanese believe that sakura (the Japanese word for a flowering cherry tree) represents the transience, and beauty, of human life and locals often travel huge distances to see the most impressive displays.
Next spring may seem unthinkably far away but if you book flights to Japan now for next year, you’ll pay much less.
Flights are expensive during this high season for Japanese tourism, although temperatures aren’t sky high. They rise from around 13C in March, to around 18C in April and then 23C in May.
Holidaymakers can book return flights for around £500 in the peak seasons if booked now, but the deals won’t stick around for long.
The cheap flights
Fly from London to Tokyo in January 2019 from £489 return with Air China. Flights in February 2019 are priced from £467 return with LOT Airlines, and in March from £511 return with Air China.
Fly from London to Tokyo in April 2019 from £548 return with Scandinavian Airlines, or from London to Tokyo in May 2019 from £488 return with Air China.
Where to see cherry blossom
There are a number of key locations to see the blossom throughout Japan, however it is important to research properly where the blossom is at certain points of the spring.
The fleeting blossom only lasts a week or two in each location as it manoeuvres from the south of the country to the north from January over the spring – so don’t be caught short by lazy planning.
Japan’s ‘blossom forecasts’ keep the country updated as to where the best areas are week-to-week, so you’ll need to be reactive and to be prepared to travel.
The blossom moves from south to north
Yoshino is Japan’s most popular, and most internationally famous, spot for cherry blossom viewing. Beware of the big crowds, and be sure to book your train journey to the rural village before you travel or you’ll be stuck standing up with the hordes.
Kameoka Yawaragi No Michi Sakura Park in Kameoka, Japan has 1,500 tress which display over 30 types of blossom and is an unmissable attraction.
Yoyogi Park in Tokyo is more of a casual place to enjoy the blossoms, where groups gather to enjoy ‘hanami’ (cherry blossom viewing) in a park where barbecues and sing-a-longs are encouraged.
The forests of Yanbaru in Okinawa in the south or Hokkaido in the north are best for early and late-season blooms.
For more of the best international destinations for blossom, check this guide to 12 of the most beautiful displays.
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