Spring Wonders: Chasing Cherry Blossoms Across Japan & Korea

If you’re dreaming of a pastel-pink spring, few journeys rival a two-country sweep through Japan and South Korea at sakura time. The trick is timing: blossoms open in the south first and ripple north over 6-10 weeks. With smart routing, you can start early in Japan’s south, hop to Korea for peak bloom, then finish in Japan’s north as the season closes. Here’s how to plan (with the latest reference dates), what to expect, where to go, and how far ahead to book.

When do cherry blossoms bloom?

Japan (south to north):

Broadly, cherry blossoms open from late March through early May, earlier in southern regions and later in Hokkaidō. 

Korea (south to north):

Korea’s season generally runs late March through mid-April, starting in the south and moving north.

Festival anchors you can plan around:

Jinhae Gunhangje (Korea’s biggest cherry festival) ran March 28 to April 6, 2025. Expect a similar late-March/early-April window each year. 

Seoul’s Yeouido Spring Flower Festival took place April 4 to mid-April 2025, lining Yunjung-ro with thousands of blossoms would be great for evening strolls and street food.

What to expect (and how to avoid crowds)

Cherry blossoms are short-lived (typically 7-10 days from first bloom to petal fall in a given city). Peak days bring packed parks, popular “picnic under the petals” spots (hanami in Japan; bomnal vibes in Korea), and night illuminations that cast trees in soft pink light. Plan for:

Early starts & weekday visits. Arrive at major parks before 9 a.m.; reserve nights for illuminated walks.

Weather swings. A warm spell can bring an earlier peak; rain or wind can end the show quickly. Keep an agile plan and a backup neighborhood. Forecast trackers and official tourism pages update frequently each spring.

Where to go (to have the best scenes)

Start in Korea (south → north)

Jeju Island: Early blooms, coastal walks, canola flowers, and lower crowds if you arrive in the last week of March.

Busan: Cherry-lined streets near Oncheoncheon Stream and Dalmaji Hill; usually just after Jeju.

Jinhae: Iconic photo spots at Yeojwacheon Stream and Gyeonghwa Station during the Gunhangje festival. Plan for early April.

Seoul: Yeouido Hangang Park, Seokchon Lake, Seoul Forest.

Hop to Japan (central → north)

Tokyo: Ueno Park, Chidorigafuchi Moat, Meguro River; late March to early April in many years. 

Kyoto/ Osaka: Philosopher’s Path, Maruyama Park, Osaka Castle; often early April for full bloom.

Fuji Five Lakes (Kawaguchiko): Mt. Fuji framed by blossoms; typically a touch later than central Tokyo. (Use annual weekly updates to time this leg.) 

Tohoku & Hokkaido: Hirosaki Park (Aomori) and Matsumae Park (Hokkaido) bloom later; think late April into early May to “chase” the tail end. 

How far in advance to book (2026 planning guide)

Sakura season is the busiest travel period in both countries. Here’s a realistic lead-time plan for March–April trips:

International flights: at least 4-6 months ahead for competitive fares (earlier if you need fixed school-holiday dates).

Hotels (Tokyo, Kyoto, Seoul, Busan): at least 6-9+ months ahead for top locations/ryokan; boutique hotels sell out first. Premium properties during peak festivals may open inventory 10-12 months ahead.

Domestic transport passes:

Japan Rail (digital JR passes/area passes): Buy 2-6 weeks before travel after locking your route; reserve limited-express seats as soon as your dates are set. (Season windows are late Mar-early Apr in Tokyo/Kyoto, late Apr-May in Hokkaido.) 

Korea KTX/festival shuttles: For Jinhae and Yeouido weekends, book trains/buses 2-3 weeks out; for rental cars in Busan/Jeju, secure 1-2 months out around festival dates. (Jinhae’s 2025 dates: Mar 28-Apr 6)

Timed attractions: TeamLabs, Ghibli Park (Japan), palace night openings (Korea), and observatories release tickets in batches, watch official pages once your dates are firm.

Pro tip: Plan two blossom attempts (e.g., Kyoto and Seoul; or Seoul and Hirosaki). Even if weather steals one peak, your second location often hits.

Perfect days under the petals (sample days)

Kyoto “classic circuit” (full bloom): Dawn at Philosopher’s Path → mid-morning tea at a teahouse near Nanzen-ji → Maruyama Park hanami lunch → wooden lanes of Ninenzaka/Sannenzaka → evening illumination at a shrine. 

Jinhae photo day: Early train from Busan → Yeojwacheon Stream walkway (pastel reflections) → Gyeonghwa Station blossom tunnel → cherry-flavored soft-serve at a street stall → blue-hour shots back at Yeojwacheon. (Anchor to the late-March/early-April festival window.) 

Seoul night stroll: Sunset at Seokchon Lake loop (Lotte Tower mirrors pink petals on the water) → late snacks at a pojangmacha (street tent) → Han River views from Banpo or Yeouido during the festival period. 

Hokkaido finale: Castle-park views at Matsumae or canal-side petals in Otaru as the season closes in early May. 

Practical tips to keep your trip stress-free

Build “wiggle days.” Add at least one flexible day in each city to slide sightseeing into the best bloom window.

Check local forecasts the week before travel, Japan’s sakura trackers and city pages update frequently as weather shifts.

Go early, stay late. Sunrise photos beat crowds; yozakura (night viewing) can be just as magical.

Mind etiquette. Don’t shake branches or step on roots for photos; pack a small mat for hanami picnics and carry out all trash.

Book restaurants. Popular kaiseki, omakase, and Seoul’s trending cafés can sell out during festival weeks, reserve as soon as you know your dates.

Have a rain plan. Museums, tea ceremonies, food tours, jjimjilbang (Korean bathhouse), and onsen (Japanese hot springs) keep the day special if petals drop early.

Quick packing checklist for sakura season

Lightweight layers (mornings/evenings can be cool): think sweater, light down or windbreaker.

Compact umbrella and waterproof shoes for spring showers.

Picnic sheet and small trash bags for hanami.

Tripod substitute: a mini clamp or phone stand is handier (and less intrusive) than a full tripod in crowds.

Allergy meds if you’re sensitive to pollen.

Cherry blossom chasing is part planning, part serendipity. Lock in your flights and stays early, keep an eye on the weekly bloom forecasts (from mid-February), and allow yourself a day or two of flex per city. With that little bit of preparation, you’ll swap the stress of missing peak bloom for tranquil hanami picnics, lantern-lit strolls, and that magical moment when a gentle breeze turns the riverside into a shower of pink petals.

If you prefer a journey crafted just for you (with reserved guides, scenic rail connections, and hotels timed perfectly to the blossoms), Asia Tours can design and monitor a personalized sakura itinerary around your travel dates and pace, so all you have to do is arrive and let spring unfold around you.