Where to See Sakura in Japan – The 20 Best Cherry Blossom Photo Spots

Are you looking for the best places to capture gorgeous cherry blossoms now that spring is on the horizon? Japan should be at the top of your list! From crowd-favorite destinations to more secluded gems, the country shows off its incredible beauty when the pink petals are in full bloom. Spring in Japan usually spans late March to April, so plan accordingly to enjoy these wonderful spots. To help you plan your trip, check out the forecast dates for cherry blossom in Japan here.

Below are the 20 best cherry blossom photo locations in Japan. I’ve kept the original details intact, only reformulating for clarity. I’ve also included some simple photography tips in each section without summarizing or omitting content. Finally, I’ve replaced detailed addresses with location names, as requested.

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Want to learn more? Check out our cherry blossom photoshoot below.

• Sakura Memories in Tokyo: Special Cherry Blossoms Photoshoot at Gorgeous Photo Spots
• Timeless Sakura Moments: Special Cherry Blossom Photoshoot in Tokyo
• Exclusive Sakura Photoshoot in Hidden Location Near Tokyo (Without Crowd)
• Cherry Blossom Dreams – Sakura Photoshoot For Couples In Tokyo With Local Photographer
• Sakura Elegance: Exclusive Cherry Blossom Photoshoot in Kyoto

1. Kita-no-maru Park (Tokyo)

Kita-no-maru Park sits next to Chiyoda’s Imperial Palace, in the central part of Tokyo. During spring, it becomes a top choice for travelers wanting to see cherry blossoms at their peak. Because of its popularity, expect large crowds during bloom season, especially at night when lanterns illuminate the trees. We especially love the dramatic effect of the glowing blossoms in the dark.

Try going around sunset for a beautiful orange sky behind the pink petals. For something extra special, consider renting a boat from nearby rental spots so you can capture the sakura from different angles. If you’re using your phone, hold it steady against the boat’s edge to avoid blurry photos.

Location: Kita-no-maru Park

2. Ueno Park (Tokyo)

Ueno Park has been a famous hanami (flower-viewing) spot since the Edo Period. It’s easily accessible from the Ueno Station, which is a big reason for its popularity. Here, you can spread out a picnic blanket and admire the vibrant pink blossoms while enjoying lunch with family or friends. At night, the trees light up, creating a warm, festive vibe.

Within Ueno Park, you’ll find museums, a zoo, and charming cafes that are also Instagram-worthy. If you’re traveling with kids, they’ll love a quick stop at the zoo, which makes for a fun family outing. For your photos, try standing at the edge of a row of trees so you can show the blossoms stretching out behind you.

Location: Ueno Park

3. Meguro River (Tokyo)

The Meguro River area bursts into life each spring, thanks to over 800 cherry blossom trees lining both sides of the water. The river stretches about 8 kilometers and passes through Meguro, Setagaya, and Shinagawa wards. You’ll also encounter boutiques, shops, and restaurants along the way, so it’s easy to spend a day here.

If you want to secure the best photo spots, head out early in the morning before the crowds arrive. At night, the blossoms glow under lanterns, making the river look magical. For phone photography, keep your device close to your chest or use a railing for support to avoid shaky images in the low light.

Location: Meguro River

4. Asukayama Park (Tokyo)

Asukayama Park is perfect for those who love both cherry blossoms and trains. The park features antique steam engine trains on display, which make for unique photo backdrops. It has over 650 cherry blossom trees of various types, so you’ll get plenty of diverse shots.

Because it’s not as central as Ueno or Kitanomaru, Asukayama tends to be less packed with tourists. That means more breathing room if you want to capture the sakura without too many people in the frame. Families also frequent this park for picnics, so it has a warm, welcoming atmosphere.

Photography Tip: If you’re near the trains, step back a bit to include both the locomotive details and the overhead branches of blossoms.

Location: Asukayama Park

5. Ryushuin Temple (Tokyo)

Ryushuin Temple lies in the Akiruno Mountains. It’s a bit of an adventure to get there, involving a few hiking trails, but the reward is well worth it. This serene area features weeping cherry trees and Somei Yoshino, plus other seasonal blooms like Mitsuba azaleas and rhododendrons. For an even more flower-filled experience, visit the nearby Otsu Hana-no Sato Flower Garden.

Because it’s more remote, you’ll likely find fewer crowds here, perfect if you want plenty of time to frame your shots. If you visit in the morning, the mountain light can add a soft glow to your photos.

Location: Ryushuin Temple

6. Sumida Park (Tokyo)

Sumida Park, along the Sumida River in Asakusa, showcases both modern cityscapes and classic Japanese esthetics. The riverside walkway, lined with cherry blossom trees, is ideal for a casual stroll while snapping shots. If you want to capture a unique perspective of the sakura, consider renting a yakatabune (roofed boat).

During spring, you’ll also get a nice view of Tokyo Skytree in the background. Try positioning the tower behind a few branches of the blossoms for a classic Tokyo-in-spring photo. If you’re using your phone, simply tap on the screen to keep the petals in focus and let the Skytree slightly blur.

Location: Sumida Park

You can find more similar locations in Tokyo in this article on where to see Sakura in Tokyo!

7. Philosopher’s Walk (Kyoto)

The Philosopher’s Walk, or Tetsugaku no Michi, is a pedestrian path that stretches between Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion) and Nanzenji Temple. You’ll find cherry blossom trees forming a canopy along the walkway, creating a postcard-worthy sight in spring. There are also small shrines and cafes nearby, so you can explore at a leisurely pace.

Because this path isn’t very long, it can become crowded during peak bloom. For clearer photos, visit early in the morning. If you like detail shots, focus on the clusters of petals hanging over the canal, with the walkway blurred in the background.

Location: Philosopher’s Walk

8. Maruyama Park (Kyoto)

Maruyama Park is Kyoto’s oldest garden and transforms dramatically when cherry blossoms bloom. Expect to see different sakura varieties, including the famous weeping cherry trees (shidare-zakura). These create a graceful waterfall-like effect with their hanging pink petals.

This park gets busy, but it retains a calm and traditional feel. Arrive in the early morning for softer light on the blossoms or in the evening if you like the gentle glow of lanterns. Try wide shots to show the expansive garden dotted with blossoms, and then move closer for intimate photos of individual flower clusters.

Location: Maruyama Park

9. Kiyomizu-dera (Kyoto)

Kiyomizu-dera Temple shines in spring, especially during the first week of April when the cherries reach full bloom. You’ll see a vast number of sakura trees scattered around the temple grounds, so each corner offers a fresh perspective. Because the temple hosts multiple varieties of cherry trees, they don’t all bloom at the same time, extending the viewing window.

At night, lights and lanterns illuminate the blossoms, giving them a magical quality in photos. If your camera has a night mode, switch it on and keep your hands steady by resting them on a railing. That way, you can capture the lantern-lit petals in clear detail.

Location: Kiyomizu-dera

10. Daigo-ji Temple (Kyoto)

Daigo-ji Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage site, featuring vast temple grounds packed with well-maintained gardens and lush landscapes. It also has historical buildings that house paintings deemed national treasures. During spring, hundreds of cherry blossom trees burst with color, blending harmoniously with the temple’s aged architecture.

If you prefer a wide shot that includes both the temple buildings and the sakura trees, stand back slightly and tilt your phone or camera upward. This captures the entire scene without cutting off the top of the pagoda or the trees.

Location: Daigo-ji Temple

11. Ninenzaka (Kyoto)

Ninenzaka is a quaint pedestrian street known for its charming stone steps, traditional homes, and picturesque cafes. In spring, you’ll see cherry blossoms adorning this historical neighborhood. While it can get crowded, especially since many people pass through here en route to Kiyomizu-dera or Kodai-ji Temple, the old-world atmosphere is still unbeatable.

Our favorite spot is the short staircase that connects the two temples. The space is narrow, so you might have to wait for a moment with fewer passersby to get a clear shot. If you can, snap a quick photo from a lower angle to highlight the blossoms against the sky and surrounding architecture.

Location: Ninenzaka

12. Arashiyama (Kyoto)

Arashiyama, on Kyoto’s western side, boasts a blend of natural scenery and traditional Japanese structures. You’ll find over 1,500 cherry blossom trees across the area in spring. The pink hues look especially stunning against the clear blue skies. Every corner seems Instagrammable, from the riverside to the quaint temples.

The Togetsukyo Bridge in Arashiyama is particularly famous. If you stand near the water, you can capture the bridge, sakura trees, and forested hills in one shot. Just keep in mind that it’s also a popular place for autumn foliage, so you might see references to fall if you’re doing additional research, but spring is equally gorgeous here.

Location: Arashiyama

Feel free to also read our guide on where to see Sakura in Kyoto!

13. Tsubosaka Dera Temple (Nara)

 

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Tsubosakadera Temple is an ideal choice if you want fewer crowds and a peaceful cherry blossom experience. The temple sits in a more remote part of Nara, so you’ll need to ride a local train and possibly a bus or taxi to get there. Still, the serenity and emptiness make it worth the journey.

In spring, you’ll see cherry blossoms accenting the temple grounds. If you like temple architecture, try framing shots that include the curved rooftops and a cluster of pink branches. For phone photography, gently tap on the screen to focus on the blossoms, letting the temple facade blur behind them.

Location: Tsubosaka Dera Temple

14. Nara Park (Nara)

Nara Park is famed for its friendly deer that wander freely, but it’s also home to a variety of shrines and temples, including Todaiji Temple. During spring, cherry blossoms fill the park, making it an enchanting spot to photograph animals and nature together. The local deer often appear in your frames, which can make for unique and adorable shots.

If you want a close-up photo with the deer and sakura as the backdrop, move slowly and remain calm so you don’t startle them. Families often gather here to stroll around and feed the deer, contributing to a lively atmosphere.

Location: Nara Park

15. Mount Yoshino (Nara)

Mount Yoshino is believed to be where the history of hanami (cherry blossom–viewing) began. Poetry from the Heian and Nara periods often references this mountain’s sakura. There are thousands of cherry trees that bloom along the slopes, creating sweeping layers of pink and white.

Hiking up Mount Yoshino can be a bit challenging, but the panoramic views make it rewarding. If your phone has a panorama feature, try using it from a high vantage point for an epic shot of the endless blossoms stretching down the valley. Also, consider visiting Kinpusenji Temple on the mountain, another historic gem.

Location: Mount Yoshino

16. Osaka Castle (Osaka)

Osaka Castle is one of Japan’s most famous castles, featuring impressive architecture and a rich history. Every spring, the surrounding garden is dotted with over 300 cherry blossom trees in full bloom. You can explore the castle interior, but don’t forget to step outside and snap pictures of the sakura contrasting with the castle’s towering facade.

Check out the plum grove if you have extra time. It’s a smaller space showcasing other seasonal flowers and offering additional photo ops. For an interesting angle, shoot upward from near the moat, capturing the blossoms and castle walls in the same frame.

Location: Osaka Castle

17. Okawa Riverside (Osaka)

The Okawa River flows through Osaka’s Miyakojima and Kita wards. It’s close to the Osaka Mint Bureau and Kema-Sakuranomiya Park, both known for spectacular spring blooms. The park alone features over 4,000 cherry blossom trees, giving you countless spots to photograph the sakura against the river.

For a different perspective, consider a nighttime boat cruise. You’ll see the softly lit blossoms reflecting in the water, adding an elegant touch to your shots. If you’re walking along the riverbank, try setting your phone on a low wall for a stable, ground-level angle that includes the sky and treetops.

Location: Okawa Riverside

Read this to discover more cherry blossom photo spots in Osaka!

18. Koriyama Castle (Nara)

Koriyama Castle in Nara Prefecture is steeped in history. During spring, over 1,000 cherry blossom trees bloom around the castle grounds, providing a gorgeous backdrop for photos. The annual Yamatokoriyama Castle Festival celebrates the season with traditional dances, local food, and cultural performances.

If you visit during the festival, you can capture lively snapshots of people in traditional costumes alongside the blossoming trees. To freeze the action, take shorter bursts on your phone’s camera if it allows rapid shots, ensuring you don’t miss that perfect moment.

Location: Koriyama Castle

19. Mount Fuji and Lake Kawaguchiko (Fuji)

Mount Fuji is an iconic symbol of Japan, and Lake Kawaguchiko offers some of the most breathtaking springtime views of the mountain framed by cherry blossoms. The drive from Tokyo might take around two hours, but once you arrive, you can’t help but be awed by the scenery.

Because of the higher altitude, cherry blossoms here usually bloom later than in Tokyo—often around late April. If you arrive early in the morning, you might catch the reflection of Mount Fuji and the pink flowers in the still water. For an extra pop in your photos, wait for the sunrise or golden hour to add warm light to the scene.

Location: Mount Fuji and Lake Kawaguchiko

20. Chureito Pagoda (Fuji)

Chureito Pagoda is one of Japan’s most photographed landmarks for capturing Mount Fuji, the pagoda, and cherry blossoms in a single shot. If you come during the first week of April, the sakura are typically in full bloom. Late afternoon is a good time to arrive, so you can watch the sky change colors as sunset approaches.

The pagoda stands on a hillside, which means you’ll need to climb some steps. But this higher vantage point lets you photograph the blossoms in the foreground and Mount Fuji behind them. If you can, switch your phone’s camera to a wide-angle setting to include as much of the scene as possible.

Location: Chureito Pagoda

These cherry blossom viewing spots are more than just pretty places – they’re living proof of Japan’s natural charm and cultural richness in spring. Keep your camera or phone ready, and remember to pause and truly appreciate the fleeting magic of sakura season.