Best Spots to See Late Blooming Cherry Blossoms in Japan

Cherry blossoms live in fleeting moments. The most common and widely planted cherry blossoms in Japan is Somei Yoshino that has light pink petals and starts flourishing from mid-late March to early-mid April for about a week including in Tokyo and many cities in Japan. But if you miss the peak season of cherry blossoms in Japan during spring, it’s not the end! Because there are several amazing spots where you can enjoy late blooming cherry blossoms around mid April to even early May.

Especially in northern part of Japan since the temperature is raising slowly there, the cherry blossom season arrives there later than the rest of Japan. Moreover, there are kinds of cherry blossoms that start flourishing slower than Somei Yoshino. In this article, I’d like to introduce the best places to see late cherry blossoms in Japan!

▽Check out the best season to see cherry blossoms in Japan!▽

Hokkaido

Due to the cold weather, the peak season for cherry blossoms’ blooming usually arrives to Hokkaido a month later than in Tokyo, which is late April to early May. Hakodate Fort Goryokaku is one of the best spots in Hokkaido to enjoy cherry blossoms as the star-shaped fort is filled with approx 1,600 cherry trees along its moats. Visitors can enjoy walking around the cherry trees inside the fort, riding a boat on the moats and gazing the spectacular view from the 100m tall observation tower (Goryokaku Tower), overlooking the fort filled with pink cherry blossoms.

▶ Hakodate Fort Goryokaku Cherry Blossoms

▶ More Cherry Blossom Viewing Spots in Hokkaido

Tohoku

Like Hokkaido, because of the cold temperature, the cherry blossoms in Tohoku area bloom 2–3 weeks later than in Tokyo, which is usually from mid to late April. One of the most popular cherry blossom spots of all Japan is Hirosaki Castle in Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture. Approx 2,600 cherry trees are planted on the grounds of the castle in Hirosaki Park. After the peak season of cherry blossoms, the spectacular scenery of fallen petals covering the surface of castle moats can be captured.

Here are some of the most recommended cherry blossom viewing spots in Tohoku area.

▶ Hirosaki Castle, Aomori Prefecture

▶ Kitakami Tenshochi, Iwate Prefecture

▶ Shiroishi River, Miyagi Prefecture

▶ Nicchu Line, Fukushima Prefecture

▶ Hanamiyama Park, Fukushima Prefecture

▶ More Cherry Blossom Viewing Spots in Tohoku Region

Tokyo

While the majority of cherry blossom viewing spots in Tokyo features Somei Yoshino which usually blooms from late March to early April, you can enjoy different types of cherry blossoms in some places, which start flourishing 1–2 weeks later than Somei Yoshino.

Shinjuku Gyoen is one of the most popular places to see cherry blossoms in Tokyo, and the amazing thing about Shinjuku Gyoen is that there are a wide variety of cherry blossoms, and some of them can be enjoyed till mid to late April. Showa Memorial Park is home to 30 kinds of Cherry trees, and some of them are late blooming comparing to regular cherry trees. Some of cherry trees at the park start flourishing from early and can be enjoyed till mid April. The popular nature spot in Tokyo, Mt Takao is known as the place for autumn leaves viewing, yet it’s also a great spot to enjoy the late-blooming cherry blossoms in nature as they start blooming about 2 weeks later than other areas in Tokyo.

▶ Shinjuku Gyoen Cherry Blossoms

▶Showa Memorial Park: Flower Park in Tokyo

▶ Mt Takao: Best Hiking Spot in Tokyo

Nagano

Nagano is famous for its mountain ranges and ski resorts. Cherry blossoms in Nagano starts usually in mid April and in some places, you can enjoy cherry blossoms with snow-covered mountains at the same time. Here are some of the most gorgeous cherry blossom viewing spots in Nagano.

▶ Best Cherry Blossom Spots in Nagano

Shirakawago Village

The scenic countryside village, Shirakawago is situated in Gifu Prefecture and surrounded by mountain ranges and serene nature. The best viewing time of cherry blossoms in Shirakawago usually starts mid April.

Related article ▶ Shirakawago: Best Time to Visit

Kyoto & Osaka

Kyoto and Osaka have similar blooming period as Tokyo (or slightly late) which usually is usually from late March to early April. But some types of cherry trees can be enjoyed till mid April. Ninnaji Temple is home to over 200 Omuro Cherry trees which can be enjoyed in early to mid April usually. The Osaka Mint Bureau is one of the most popular cherry blossom viewing spots in Osaka featuring mainly Yae Zakura which peak season is usually mid April.

▶ Ninnaji Temple: Late Blooming Cherry Blossoms in Kyoto

+ Enjoy Shibazakura

It’s different type of cherry blossoms, but as spectacular as them. Shibazakura (pink moss in English) start blooming from mid April and can be enjoyed till mid May. There are some spectacular Pink Moss festivals available around Tokyo and Hokkaido. Fuji Shibazakura Festival is held annually in Lake Motosuko on the foot of Mt Fuji. Visitors can enjoy the beautiful scenery of pink carpet formed by pink moss against a backdrop of Mt Fuji.

▶ Fuji Shibazakura Festival

▶ Best Shibazakura Spots in Hokkaido

▶ Best Shibazakura Spots in Japan

Check out the best late-blooming cherry blossom spots in Tokyo!

More cherry blossoms information available here!

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