When planning a trip to Japan to see the cherry blossoms, it’s ideal to allocate enough time to enjoy the beauty of the blooms while also exploring the country’s rich culture and landmarks. Depending on your preferences, here’s a general breakdown of the number of days you might want to consider for a cherry blossom-focused trip
Day 1 :
Arrival in Tokyo
Explore Ueno Park for an evening cherry blossom view.
Day 2 :
Tokyo
Visit Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden and Chidorigafuchi for sakura viewing.
Explore other attractions like Meiji Shrine and the bustling districts of Shibuya or Harajuku.
Day 3 :
Day Trip to Kyoto
Take the Shinkansen to Kyoto (about 2.5 hours).
Visit Maruyama Park and the Kiyomizu-dera Temple for cherry blossoms.
Day 4 :
Kyoto
Explore the Philosopher’s Path, Gion district, and other cherry blossom spots like Nijo Castle.
Enjoy a traditional tea ceremony or visit Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion).
Day 5 :
Osaka
Take the Shinkansen (or train) to Osaka (about 30 minutes from Kyoto).
Visit Osaka Castle Park and Kema Sakuranomiya Park for more cherry blossoms.
Day 6 :
Hiroshima
Take the Shinkansen to Hiroshima (about 2.5 hours from Osaka).
Explore Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Shukkeien Garden for sakura.
Optionally, visit Miyajima Island and Itsukushima Shrine.
Day 7 :
Return to Tokyo or Departure
Take a morning or early afternoon Shinkansen back to Tokyo (or leave from Osaka if you're flying out of Kansai Airport).
Spend the last few hours in Tokyo visiting any missed spots or last-minute shopping.