Blooming season of cherry blossoms: tourist routes in Japan

Spring in Japan is associated with the main event for the whole country - the cherry blossom season. Cherry blossoms occur between late March and mid-April, and it is during this time that millions of travelers embark on a trip to this country to admire this captivating spectacle.

According to official forecasts from the Japan Meteorological Agency, this year's blossoming is expected to begin on March 20, so you should start planning your trip now. The Straits Times provided guidance on where to go to see the best views of spring bloom.

Kitakyushu - "Japanese Venice"

In this region, tourists can take a boat ride while observing the blooming trees. Additionally, from here, you can venture to the Amakusa Islands by sea, take a train to the active volcanic ridge between Miyazaki and Kagoshima prefectures, and visit Kirishima Jingu, one of the country's oldest shrines. You can also explore Japan's largest stalactite cave, located in Yamaguchi, and await the Hello Kitty Shinkansen train, which travels from Hakata to Shin-Yamaguchi station.

Fuji Shibazakura Festival in Tokyo

During this capital's festival, the foot of Mount Fuji transforms into a complete pink sea. You can reach there from Tokyo by special buses. Additionally, in the capital city, visitors can admire the beauty of Tokyo Bay from Odaiba Park and savor delicious food from local markets.

Cherry Blossom Trail in Kyoto and Nara

Travelers can head here for a day trip to see the local temples adorned with flowering trees. In particular, sakura trees can be found along the Katsura River near Togetsukyo Bridge, a landmark in Kyoto's Arashiyama district, and along the route to Nara Park near Todaiji Temple, where local deer roam among thousands of sakura trees.

Sakura in Okinawa

This is the first place to celebrate the cherry blossom season. Here, you should take in the magnificent view of the sea from the terrace of Senagajima Umikazi, visit the Nago Pineapple Park, and explore the Peace Memorial Park and the Naminue Shrine.

Earlier TravelWise reported that this year Japan was named the most popular tourist destination.