Last Updated on April 8, 2026 by Vlad
Best late-blooming Sakura Spots in Japan if you have missed sakura in Tokyo
If you’re in Japan in April and worried you’ve missed cherry blossom season, you haven’t.
Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka peak early. But sakura moves north and into higher elevations, which means there are still places in full bloom, more coming into peak, and late April options all the way up to Hokkaido.
This guide shows you exactly where to go based on your timing, so you don’t miss out.
๐ธ Best Places to See Cherry Blossoms Right Now (April 8โ10)
If you are in Japan this week, these are your best chances right now.
Hakone Park (Kanagawa)
Full bloom: April 7
One day past peak as of today, which is still a great time to visit. You’ll get full canopies, maybe with just a dusting of petals starting to fall. If you’re heading to Hakone anyway, the timing is perfect.
- Still in bloom right now
- Easy day trip from Tokyo
- Great scenery around Hakone Park
๐ Best quick option if you’re near Tokyo.
Nagano (Best Mountain Option Right Now)
Full bloom: April 8โ13
Higher elevation means later blooms, which is exactly why Nagano is your best bet right now if you missed Tokyo. Multiple spots spread across the region give you a safer window too.
- Matsumoto City Shiroyama Park (April 8) – the castle backdrop makes this one of Japan’s most photogenic sakura spots. Expect crowds.
- Komoro Castle Ruins, Kaikoen Park (April 9)
- Uyama no Sakuranamiki (April 9)
- Omachi Park (April 13)
- Iiyama Castle Ruins Park (April 12)
๐ Best chance right now if you missed Tokyo. Multiple spots mean you’re covered even if timing shifts.
Gunma (Sakura + Onsen)
Full bloom: April 9โ15
- Minakami Onsen (April 9) – soak in an onsen, walk out to cherry blossoms
- Sakura no Sato (April 15) – still a few days away, worth holding for
๐ Great for a quieter experience, especially if you want to combine blossoms with a hot spring stay (who doesn’t?).
Akita and Morioka (Heading North)
Full bloom: April 11โ13
- Akita (April 11) – coming into peak now, far less crowded than the major cities
- Morioka, Iwate (April 13) – the castle ruins setting here is one of Tohoku’s best kept secrets
๐ Start heading north if you want peak timing without the crowds.
๐ธ Coming into Peak (April 10โ18)
If your trip is coming up soon, these spots are on their way to full bloom.
Niigata (Reliable Mid-April Option)
Full bloom: April 14โ18
- Yuzawa Central Park (April 14)
- Yahiko Park, early variety (April 7, just past peak) + late variety (April 18)
The staggered blooms here give you a longer window than most spots, which makes Niigata a smart pick if your timing isn’t exact.
Fukushima (Scenic Sakura)
Full bloom: April 6 and April 14
Two different experiences here. Natsui Senbon-Zakura (April 14) is coming into peak soon and is known for long rows of cherry trees along a river. Lovely spot.
Miharu Takizakura (April 6) is just past peak now, but it’s one of Japan’s three great cherry trees and is worth visiting even slightly past full bloom. People travel specifically for this single tree (yes, for this single ancient tree). If you’re anywhere near Fukushima, don’t skip it.
Ishikawa and Fukui (Underrated Picks)
Full bloom: April 9โ11
- Yanagida Botanical Park, Ishikawa (April 11)
- Echizen Pottery Village, Fukui (April 9)
Fewer crowds here, very much local atmosphere. Good if you want sakura without the tour groups.
Ibaraki
Full bloom: April 16
- Shizumine Furusato Park – late-blooming varieties extend your window. Useful if you need a bit more time.
๐ธ Best Places for Late April Cherry Blossoms (April 15โ25)
Aomori: The Best Late April Region in Japan
Full bloom: April 17โ20
Late April travellers should head to Aomori. It’s the most reliable late-season option in Honshu, and the quality of the spots here is seriously impressive.
Hirosaki Park is the star of the show. With around 2,600 cherry trees, a 400-year-old castle, and a moat that fills with fallen petals (known as a “flower raft”), it’s widely considered one of Japan’s finest hanami spots. Full bloom is forecast for April 19. If you’re in Japan during the third week of April, plan around this one.
Other Aomori spots worth knowing:
- Saruka Park (April 19)
- Towada City Government Office Street (April 18)
- Azuma Park Sakurayama (April 20)
- Hachinohe Park – Children’s World (April 17). Really worth it if you are coming with kids under 12.
๐ Late April travellers should head to Aomori. Hirosaki Park alone is worth the trip.
Iwate (Your additional option)
Full bloom: April 14
- Tลni-chล Hongล Cherry Blossom Avenue – a classic row of trees lining a Japanese country-side road. Worth the detour if you’re in the area.
๐ธ Late April? Head to Hokkaido
If you’re travelling late April, this is where sakura season finishes.
Hakodate
Full bloom: April 23
The earliest of the Hokkaido spots. Good mix of city sights and natural scenery.
๐ Best starting point for a Hokkaido sakura trip.
Sapporo
Full bloom: April 25
Maruyama Park and Hokkaido Shrine are the go-to spots. Easy to get around, big parks, and the atmosphere is fantastic. Watching locals celebrate sakura after a long winter adds something you don’t get in the south.
๐ Strong option for late April travellers.
Muroran
Full bloom: April 28
One of the latest blooming spots in Japan. Quieter than Sapporo with a different vibe.
๐ Best chance if you’re very late in April.
๐ธ Places That Are Finishing (Worth Visiting Only If You’re Nearby)
These spots are at the end of their bloom. Not worth going out of your way for, but still decent if you’re passing through.
- Yamagata – full bloom April 6
- Kuroiso Park (Tochigi) – full bloom April 6
- Miharu Takizakura (Fukushima) – full bloom April 6 (still worth it for the tree itself)
- Sakurayama Park (Gunma) – full bloom April 5
- Fuji Omuro Sengen Shrine (Yamanashi) – full bloom April 8
๐ If you’re not already nearby, skip these and go north instead.
Quick Reference: Cherry Blossoms in April by Date
| Location | Full Bloom | Status (as of April 8) |
|---|---|---|
| Sakurayama Park, Gunma | April 5 | Finishing |
| Yamagata | April 6 | Finishing |
| Kuroiso Park, Tochigi | April 6 | Finishing |
| Miharu Takizakura, Fukushima | April 6 | Just past peak |
| Hakone Park, Kanagawa | April 7 | Just past peak |
| Matsumoto, Nagano | April 8 | Peak now |
| Fuji Omuro Sengen Shrine, Yamanashi | April 8 | Peak now |
| Echizen Pottery Village, Fukui | April 9 | Days away |
| Minakami Onsen, Gunma | April 9 | Days away |
| Komoro Castle Ruins, Nagano | April 9 | Days away |
| Minoyama Park, Saitama | April 9 | Days away |
| Akita | April 11 | Coming into peak |
| Yanagida Botanical Park, Ishikawa | April 11 | Coming into peak |
| Iiyama Castle Ruins Park, Nagano | April 12 | Coming into peak |
| Morioka, Iwate | April 13 | Coming into peak |
| Omachi Park, Nagano | April 13 | Coming into peak |
| Natsui Senbon-Zakura, Fukushima | April 14 | Coming into peak |
| Yuzawa Central Park, Niigata | April 14 | Coming into peak |
| Tลni-chล Hongล Ave, Iwate | April 14 | Coming into peak |
| Sakura no Sato, Gunma | April 15 | Mid-April |
| Shizumine Furusato Park, Ibaraki | April 16 | Mid-April |
| Hachinohe Park, Aomori | April 17 | Mid-April |
| Yahiko Park โ late variety, Niigata | April 18 | Mid-April |
| Towada, Aomori | April 18 | Mid-April |
| Hirosaki Park, Aomori | April 19 | Late April |
| Aomori city | April 19 | Late April |
| Saruka Park, Aomori | April 19 | Late April |
| Azuma Park, Aomori | April 20 | Late April |
| Hakodate, Hokkaido | April 23 | Late April |
| Sapporo, Hokkaido | April 25 | Late April |
| Muroran, Hokkaido | April 28 | Late April |
How to Still Catch Cherry Blossoms in April (Simple Strategy)
If you remember one thing, it’s this:
- Go north โ Tohoku โ Aomori โ Hokkaido
- Go higher – Nagano and Gunma bloom later due to elevation
- Look for staggered blooms – spots like Niigata and Nagano have multiple varieties that spread the window
๐ This is how you catch sakura in April.
Quick Tips for April Sakura
- Check forecasts
- Go early in the morning if visiting popular spots
- Dress warmer than you think – northern Japan is cooler than Tokyo
- Have a backup spot in mind – don’t rely on a single location
April Is Still Sakura Season
You didn’t miss cherry blossom season. You just need to go to the right place.
- In Japan this week? Head to Hakone, Nagano, or start the journey north to Akita and Morioka
- Arriving soon? Niigata or Fukushima (and Miharu Takizakura if you can)
- Travelling late April? Aomori is your best bet in Honshu. After that, Hokkaido carries you through to the end of the month
Follow the bloom north, and you’ll still catch that perfect sakura moment. ๐ธ
Frequently Asked Questions
Are cherry blossoms still blooming in April in Japan?
You bet. While Tokyo and Kyoto typically peak in late March to early April, the season continues through April across Tohoku (Aomori, Iwate, Akita) and into late April in Hokkaido.
Where are the best cherry blossoms in mid-April?
Morioka, Natsui Senbon-Zakura, Yuzawa, and the Aomori region are all peaking around 13โ19 April. Hirosaki Park is the standout pick.
Where can I see cherry blossoms in late April?
Head to Hokkaido. Hakodate peaks around April 23, Sapporo around April 25, and Muroran around April 28.
Is Hirosaki Park worth visiting for cherry blossoms?
Absolutely. It’s widely considered one of Japan’s best hanami spots. The castle, the moat, the petal raft – it delivers a lot. Just expect crowds please.
What is the latest you can see cherry blossoms in Japan this year?
Muroran in Hokkaido typically reaches full bloom around April 28, making it one of the last spots in Japan to see sakura each year.
For the latest forecast updates, check my Cherry Blossom Forecast 2026. Heading out with kids? My Family Hanami Guide covers the best spots for little ones. And if you want to make the most of the evening blooms, the Yozakura Guide is worth a read. If you have any other questions just post a comment please.