Japan Cherry Blossom Itinerary: 10 Days of Sakura
Cherry blossoms usually open in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka between late March and early April, and full bloom lasts about a week. This route follows the classic hanami spots and keeps flexible days for the peak.
- Length10 days, 9 nights
- RouteTokyo → Kyoto → Nara → Himeji → Osaka
- Best forFirst-time visitors in spring
- When to goLate March to early April
- Rail passA 7-day JR Pass can pay off from Tokyo to Kyoto, Himeji and Osaka.
Make it yours: open this route in the trip planner, add your dates and get travel times, seasonal alerts and links to flights and hotels.
Open in the trip planner →The route at a glance
- Day 1 · Tokyo: Arrival
- Day 2 · Tokyo: Ueno and Chidorigafuchi
- Day 3 · Tokyo: Shinjuku Gyoen and Asakusa
- Day 4 · Kyoto: To Kyoto
- Day 5 · Kyoto: The Philosopher's Path
- Day 6 · Kyoto: Arashiyama and Heian Shrine
- Day 7 · Nara: Nara
- Day 8 · Himeji and Osaka: Himeji Castle
- Day 9 · Osaka: Osaka
- Day 10 · Osaka: Departure
Day 1 · Tokyo
Arrival
Evening walk under the lantern-lit trees along the Meguro River.
- Meguro River
Day 2 · Tokyo
Ueno and Chidorigafuchi
Ueno Park's hanami picnics, then a rowing boat under the blossoms at Chidorigafuchi near the Imperial Palace.
- Ueno Park
- Chidorigafuchi
Day 3 · Tokyo
Shinjuku Gyoen and Asakusa
Shinjuku Gyoen's many varieties of cherry, then Senso-ji and the Sumida River.
- Shinjuku Gyoen
- Senso-ji
- Sumida Park
Tip: Shinjuku Gyoen does not allow alcohol: it is the calmest of Tokyo's hanami parks.
Day 4 · Kyoto
To Kyoto
Shinkansen to Kyoto (about 2 hours 15 minutes). Evening at Maruyama Park's great weeping cherry, lit up at night.
- Maruyama Park
- Gion Shirakawa
Day 5 · Kyoto
The Philosopher's Path
Walk the canal-side Philosopher's Path from Ginkaku-ji to Nanzen-ji, then the Okazaki canal.
- Philosopher's Path
- Nanzen-ji
- Okazaki canal
Day 6 · Kyoto
Arashiyama and Heian Shrine
Arashiyama's river banks in the morning, Heian Shrine's weeping cherries in the afternoon.
- Arashiyama
- Heian Shrine garden
Day 7 · Nara
Nara
Blossoms, deer and temples in Nara Park, Todai-ji and Kofuku-ji.
- Nara Park
- Todai-ji
- Kofuku-ji
Tip: Mount Yoshino, Japan's most famous cherry mountain, usually blooms in early to mid April: add it as a day trip if your dates are later.
Day 8 · Himeji and Osaka
Himeji Castle
Shinkansen to Himeji (about 45 minutes from Kyoto): the white castle surrounded by blossoms. Continue to Osaka.
- Himeji Castle
- Koko-en
Day 9 · Osaka
Osaka
Osaka Castle Park and the Mint Bureau's cherry passage (open about a week in April), then Dotonbori.
- Osaka Castle Park
- Japan Mint cherry passage
- Dotonbori
Day 10 · Osaka
Departure
Train to Kansai Airport.
Getting around
Shinkansen Tokyo–Kyoto and Kyoto–Himeji–Osaka; local trains to Nara.
When to go
Late March to early April. Add your dates in the trip planner to see cherry blossom and autumn leaf timing, the rainy season, typhoons and holidays for this route.
Where to stay
- Tokyo (3 nights): Ueno or Shinjuku.
- Kyoto (4 nights): near Kyoto Station.
- Osaka (2 nights): Umeda or Namba.
Frequently asked questions
When do cherry blossoms bloom in Japan?
Okinawa in January–February, Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka in late March–early April, Tohoku in mid–late April, Hokkaido in early May.
How long does full bloom last?
About a week, depending on rain and wind.
How do I follow the forecast?
The Japan Meteorological Corporation and Weathernews publish forecasts from February.
Prefecture guides for this trip
- Tokyo travel guide (東京都)
- Kyoto travel guide (京都府)
- Nara travel guide (奈良県)
- Hyogo travel guide (兵庫県)
- Osaka travel guide (大阪府)
Want a different pace or more stops? The planner rebuilds the itinerary around your dates and choices.
Customise this itinerary →Last updated: 19 October 2026 · Japan47.org, by Francesco Consalvo. Travel times are approximate; check timetables and opening days before you go. Photos: Wikimedia Commons.
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