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Jan 8, 20233 min read

Kyoto Sakura 2023: Best Places to See Cherry Blossoms in Kyoto 2023

Updated: Feb 18, 2023

Spring is coming. If Kyoto is in your Japan itinerary, you are in the right direction.

Sakura is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Kyoto among locals. Is it a surprise, though? Not really. Kyoto has some of the best cherry blossom viewing spots in Japan. It’s on the bucket list of many travelers because Kyoto just delivers the most outstanding ‘hanami’ or flower viewing in all of Japan.

Also Read: 10 Most Beautiful Places to See Cherry Blossoms in Japan 2023

When is cherry blossom season in Japan in 2023?

Cherry blossom season in Japan often falls between late March and early May. However, there’s no certainty as to when exactly they bloom as it varies depending on the region.

Per the latest Japan sakura forecast 2023, cherry trees are expected to start budding with flowers on March 17 in Fukuoka, the earliest among all prefectures. Meanwhile, sakura in Sapporo is expected to start budding on April 23.

Here’s the cherry blossom prediction in Japan in 2023 as of February 18, 2023:

Fukuoka - Flowering on March 21; Full bloom on April 1
Tokyo - Flowering on March 18; Full bloom on March 27
Hiroshima - Flowering on March 24; Full bloom on April 3
Nagoya - Flowering on March 22; Full bloom on April 1
Osaka - Flowering on March 26; Full bloom on April 3
Kyoto - Flowering on March 24; Full bloom on April 2
Kanazawa - Flowering on April 1; Full bloom on April 7
Sendai - Flowering on April 4; Full bloom on April 9
Sapporo - Flowering on April 29; Full bloom on May 2
Wakayama - Flowering on March 25; Full bloom on April 2
Kochi - Flowering on March 20; Full bloom on March 28
Kagoshima - Flowering on March 30; Full bloom on April 9
Aomori - Flowering on April 18; Full bloom on April 22
Nagano - Flowering on April 6; Full bloom on April 11

Use this Japan 2023 cherry blossom forecast as a guide. This is just a forecast, thus we don’t know exactly when the cherry blossoms start.

As we approach springtime, we will be able to tell clearly when cherry blossoms start to flower and bloom in full. So stay tuned for updates!

Also Read: Kyoto Illumination 2022-2023 Guide: Best Winter Illuminations in Kyoto

What is the best time to visit Japan for cherry blossoms in 2023?

The best time to visit Japan for cherry blossoms is between March and April. However, you need to consider two things before deciding.

First, cherry blossom dates are only mere forecasts. There’s a fair chance you won’t catch cherry blossoms in full bloom if the timing is wrong. That’s just how nature works.

Second, where are you going? In some prefectures, cherry blossoms don’t last as long as in other places. Typically, cherry blossoms last for two weeks. But in places like Sendai and Sapporo, cherry blossoms wither away after a couple of days.

Also Read: 5 Best Ramen in Kyoto

Cherry Blossom Season Kyoto 2023

Watching sakura in Kyoto in 2023 is one of the most exciting things to do in Kyoto. The flowering of cherry blossoms in Kyoto is expected to start on March 24 while the full bloom is expected on April 2.

Kyoto has some of the best cherry blossom spots in Japan. Its abundance is definitely a reason to come visit Kyoto.

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