Known as ‘Hanami’ (flower viewing), there are various things you can do to ensure you enjoy the experience to the full:
Category Archives: Japan Travel Blog
Valentine’s Day in Japan
5 Street Foods in Osaka You Must Try
Osaka is the birthplace of many delicious local cuisines, and the street food is one you really should treat yourself to on any trip to the city. Whether you like fish, meat, noodles or soups, there is bound to be something to suit your pallet.
The MUST GO Lavender Farms in Hokkaido
You may have wandered around some of the beautiful lavender farms in England and France, absorbing the fragrant aroma’s, but did you know that there are lavender farms in Hokkaido, Japan, that you really should visit on any summer journey to this fascinating country. The best time to go is in July, when the lavender in Furano is in full bloom. Stroll around the picturesque fields, with your camera at the ready for some great photo opportunities. The lavender ice creams sold at Farm Tomita, are a must for anyone with a sweet tooth, especially on a hot summers day, they are cool and delicious. While you are there, why not treat yourself to a Yubari King melon flavoured soft ice cream, a famous top grade melon in Japan which was sold at auction for 3 million yen (about £21,500) for a pair earlier this year!
Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan
Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan is going to be held from 20th September to 2nd November!
20 nations will gather in Japan for the rugby’s world most important event that holds once every four years! Japan is the first Asian country to host such grand tournament in Rugby. We are very excited and cannot wait for all these big sporting events that are happening in Asia… 2017 Japan Formula 1 Grand Prix, 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympic, 2019 Rugby World Cup Japan, 2020 Tokyo Olympic and 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic etc…
The venues of the Rugby have all been announced and are as follows:
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The pool draw results are out today 10th May 2017 at Kyoto. 20 qualified teams have been divided into four pools of 5 teams to play against each other.
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The Draw |
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| Pool A | Pool B | Pool C | Pool D | |
| Band 1 | Ireland | New Zealand | England | Australia |
| Band 2 | Scotland | South Africa | France | Wales |
| Band 3 | Japan | Italy | Argentina | Georgia |
| Band 4 | Europe 1 | Africa 1 | Americas 1 | Oceania 1 |
| Band 5 | Play-off winner | Repechage winner | Oceania 2 | Americas 2 |
Discover the UNESCO Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama
Immerse yourself into the folk lives of UNESCO Shirakawa-go and Gokayama villages
Best view from the Ogimachi Castle ruins view point
The historic villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama were registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1995. The 114 farmhouses are famous for preserving the traditional Gassho-zukuri style houses with their iconic ‘A’ shaped thatched roofs, built without nails, some of which are more than 300 years old.
Top 5 places to admire cherry blossom in Tokyo
Cherry Blossom is in full bloom in Tokyo now!
Here are the top 5 places to admire Cherry Blossom in Tokyo, voted by the local Japanese!
Cherry Blossom Varieties You will see in Japan right now
Which cherry blossom varieties are blooming right now?
It is the middle of the cherry blossom blooming period.
The forecast from the Japan Weather Association indicates that next week is going to be full bloom in Kanto (e.g. Tokyo), Chubu (e.g. Nagoya) , Kansai (e.g. Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, Nara), Chugoku (e.g. Hiroshima) and Shikoku area (e.g. Matsuyama).
Top 3 foods you must bring to Hanami (Cherry Blossom picnic)
With the cherry blossom months approaching, people in Japan are excited to be preparing their annual hanami party (picnic party). Most people start to check the cherry blossom forecast to find out the best time and place to have a picnic under the full bloomed cherry blossom tree and prepare the food to bring to the party. It is a tradition for people to gather for food, drinks, dance and playing games while enjoying the scenery and letting the natural floral fragrance refresh people senses.
There are 3 foods that you must not miss out on and they are traditionally accompanied with sake and green tea.
1. Hanami Bento (Lunch box/picnic food)
Inside the Hanami Bento, it is normal to find items like makizushi (sushi rolls), inarizushi (sushi rice stuffed in fried tofu pouches, tamagoyaki (Japanese-style omelet), or kamaboko (pink and white fish cakes)
2. Hanami Dango
The Hanami Dango is made with glutinous rice flour and 3 dangos are usually served in a skewer in pink, white and green symbolising the three main spring colours in Japan.
3. Sakura Mochi
Kanto Style (e.g. Tokyo)
The Kanto style sakura mochi is made with rice flours and red bean paste wrapped in a salted cherry blossom leaf.
Kansai style (e.g. Kyoto)
While, Kansai style sakura mochi is made with glutinous rice flour with red bean paste inside and wrapped in a salted cherry blossom leaf.
Start preparing for your hanami party and enjoy a lovely time under the cherry blossom trees with your friends and family!
Related article:
Check out Cherry Blossom Blooming forecast for 2017 in Japan
5 Spectacular Places to See Cherry Blossom in Japan
Related Tour
You are always welcome to give us a ring on 020 8543 8133 or email info@japanlinkstravel.co.uk for more inspiration.
Cherry Blossom Forecast in Japan 2017
Cherry Blossom Forecast in Japan 2017
29/03/17 Updates
Are you wondering when is the best time to visit Japan for it’s cherry blossom season?
Check out the Forecast table below for more information for your journey.
Geography Facts: Japan is made up with 4 main islands: Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu( listed from north to south)
| Region | First Bloom | Full Bloom |
| Hokkaido | ||
| Sapporo | 2 May | 6 May |
| Hakodate | 29 April | 4 May |
| Honshu- Tohoku (Northern) | ||
| Aomori | 23 April | 29 April |
| Akita | 17 April | 22 April |
| Morioka | 19 April | 25 April |
| Yamagata | 14 April | 19 April |
| Sendai | 7 April | 14 April |
| Fukushima | 8 April | 12 April |
| Honshu – Kanto (Eastern) | ||
| Tokyo | 21 March | 2 April |
| Choshi | 30 March | 6 April |
| Yokohama | 25 March | 2 April |
| Mito | 31 March | 10 April |
| Utsunomiya | 31 March | 9 April |
| Maebashi | 30 March | 8 April |
| Kumagaya | 28 April | 5 April |
| Nagano | 13 April | 18 April |
| Honshu- Chubu (Central) | ||
| Kofu | 29 March | 3 April |
| Niigata | 8 April | 14 April |
| Toyama | 4 April | 9 April |
| Kanazawa | 2 April | 8 April |
| Fukui | 3 April | 9 April |
| Nagoya | 28 March | 6 April |
| Shizuoka | 31 March | 7 April |
| Gifu | 28 March | 6 April |
| Honshu – Kansai region ( Western Central) | ||
| Tsu | 1 April | 7 April |
| Osaka | 29 March | 5 April |
| Hikone | 3 April | 9 April |
| Kyoto | 29 March | 6 April |
| Kobe | 29 March | 6 April |
| Nara | 31 March | 5 April |
| Wakayama | 29 March | 6 April |
| Honshu – Chungoku region (Western) | ||
| Hiroshima | 27March | 5 April |
| Okayama | 31 March | 8 April |
| Matsue | 1 April | 8 April |
| Tottori | 1 April | 8 April |
| Shimmonoseki | 29 March | 6 April |
| Shikoku | ||
| Takamatsu | 31 March | 8 April |
| Tokushima | 30 March | 7 April |
| Matsuyama | 30 March | 6 April |
| Kochi | 29 March | 6 April |
| Kyushu | ||
| Fukuoka | 25 March | 4 April |
| Oita | 3 April | 10 April |
| Nagasaki | 30 March | 7 April |
| Saga | 1 April | 9 April |
| Kumamoto | 1 April | 9 April |
| Miyasaki | 4 April | 11 April |
| Kagoshima | 4 April | 11 April |
| Okinawa | 14 January | 8 Feburary |
Related Tours
Our expert has hand-picked and put together a tour to some of the best spots to see Cherry Blossom in Japan.
Check out our Cherry Blossom tour!
Remember, you can always tailor-made your journey to Japan with us.
As always, you are welcome to give us a ring at 020 8543 8133 or email us info@japanlinkstravel.co.uk to arrange your journey to Japan with us.