Spring in Tokyo: Cherry Blossoms, Wisteria & Cruises

Many think that Tokyo is at its most beautiful in the spring, especially once the highly-anticipated cherry blossoms paint the cityscape in pastel hues. Spanning from March to May, springtime brings pleasant weather, longer days and plenty of festivals and celebrations.

It’s only normal, then, that spring is the most popular time to visit Tokyo, and a hectic season for many. Graduations and commencement ceremonies, changes of employment or place of residence all typically happen during this time, keeping Tokyoites busy. 

And for visitors, it’s not much slower, either, with many sightseeing spots swarmed with tourists and bookings for anything from hotels to restaurants selling out.

However, with some planning, spring in Tokyo can be an enjoyable time to visit, as the city awakens from the winter offering fresh new activities and exciting opportunities to celebrate the season in a unique way.

According to traditional Japanese microseasons, spring starts on the vernal equinox day, which typically falls on March 20-21. 

By then, the harsh cold of winter is gone, giving way to a more pleasant weather that typically reaches its warmest point around noon every day, with highs of around 15°C (60°F) and chilly nights and mornings with lows of around 5°C (41°F.) 

When April comes, the days become slightly longer and warmer, averaging around 15°C (60°F.) May already anticipates the summer heat, with slightly warmer temperatures and less need for jackets.

You can expect plenty of sunny skies, but it’s not uncommon for clouds and rain to show up, with some high-wind days also in the mix. 

Cherry blossoms typically bloom in Tokyo between mid-March and early April. The exact date varies depending on the weather during the previous weeks, which affects the cycle of the blossoms. A warmer winter could accelerate the blooming season, while colder weeks leading up to the blooming date could delay it by days or even weeks.

According to the latest forecast by the Japan Meteorological Association, cherry blossoms are expected to start blooming in late March and reach full bloom in the first few days of April. Although this is an approximation, it is a good point of reference to start planning your travels.

As for the best spots to go, check out our best places to see cherry blossoms in Tokyo!

Find out more: Japan’s Cherry Blossoms Forecast

Spring sees families and groups of friends gather to celebrate and share a few drinks under the sakura trees. But breaking into this local tradition can be daunting if you’re going at it alone. 

Let local guide Alejandro welcome you into the customs and traditions of Tokyo, while enjoying the picture-perfect blossoms and exploring little-known bars and izakaya restaurants at Harmonica Yokocho in Kichijoji. 

This fun tour is perfect for making new friends, enjoying the blossoms and learning more about the local food and drink culture in a residential area of Tokyo.

If you’ve watched the Japan by Food YouTube channel, you might not need an introduction to our charming YouTube host Shizuka Anderson, but did you know that Shizuka also has her own byFood Original tour?  

During this experience, available only for a limited time in 2025, Shizuka will guide you through one of Tokyo’s main hanami spots, the riverside of Nakameguro. Try delicious street foods and drinks, handpicked by Shizuka, and see one of the city’s main cherry blossom festivals. 

Be sure to book your spot early, as this tour is in extremely high demand and only a few slots are left!

Visiting Tokyo during peak season and seeing the main sights in a single day without scrambling through crowds might seem impossible, but it’s doable. In this unique experience, glide through the city aboard Tokyo’s first restaurant bus, which will take you through some of the city’s main sights. 

Enjoy a delectable meal with ingredients like snow crab, fresh fish and premium beef, as well as free-flowing beverages (including sake) while passing by Chidorigafuchi, Meiji Jingu Gaien and Tokyo Tower.

Finally, make way to Odaiba, where the view of the cityscape framed by the blossoms is nothing short of spectacular. This is the perfect way to sightsee in comfort and enjoy a delicious meal while you’re at it.

Another way to enjoy the blossoms without the crowds? Travel by water. The Sumida riverside, lined with over 600 sakura trees, is one of the most romantic and picturesque places to sightsee in Tokyo during cherry blossom season.

Aboard a yakatabune cruise (traditional boat), celebrate by taking in the views while sipping on French champagne and enjoying a luxurious kaiseki multi-course meal. This comfortable cruise will allow you to capture the best views of Asakusa and Skytree with breathtaking views of the riverside sakura.

Find out more: Best Kaiseki Restaurants in Tokyo

From mid-March to mid-April, Symbol Promenade Park will be home to 160,000 tulips of 300 different varieties, the largest collection in the Kanto region. Visitors can explore various attractions, including the "Mixed Color Flower Beds" featuring around 110,000 tulips and the "Sample Garden." 

In Central Square, the cherry blossoms typically bloom during this time, creating a beautiful collaboration with the tulips. Don't miss the Rinkai Fukutoshin Tulip Festival, which showcases Japan's largest variety of tulips.

Head to Odaiba’s Tulip Festival.

The Chiyoda City Sakura Festival illuminates the 700-meter sakura-lined Chidori-ga-fuchi Green Way with energy-efficient solar-powered LED lights each night. This eco-friendly lighting ensures no harm to the sakura or the environment, adding a charming sustainable angle to this seasonal sight. 

The illuminations begin from sundown (around 6 pm) and last until 10 pm from Friday, March 22 to Tuesday, April 2.

Enjoy Chiyoda’s sakura illuminations.

The Kameido Tenjin Wisteria Festival features stunning wisteria illuminations after dusk, along with food stalls and cultural events such as tea ceremonies, taiko drumming and ikebana flower arrangement displays. While the festival dates are fixed, the wisteria bloom varies. 

In warmer years, the flowers may be gone by early May, while in cooler years, the blooms may start later and be less abundant. The festival celebrates the beauty of wisteria, regardless of the bloom's timing.

Nezu Shrine, located in eastern Tokyo, is a historic shrine with a nostalgic atmosphere, designated as one of Japan’s National Important Cultural Properties and one of Tokyo’s top ten shrines. 

The Nezu Shrine Azalea Festival runs from March 30 to April 30, showcasing around 3,000 azaleas and 100 varieties in full bloom across the shrine's vast grounds. This large-scale flower festival is rare for shrines in Japan, making it a unique and special event to experience.

Just as landscapes get transformed by the colors of spring, so do Japan’s food and drinks. Sweets turn pink and flower-shaped, and flavors of cherry, strawberry and peach are suddenly all around. 

Spring also inspires seasonal drinks and experiences, from flowery afternoon teas to sake. And, after a whole day out seeing the actual blossoms, you can continue enjoying the best of spring by indulging in Japan’s amazingly intricate seasonal treats.

How to find and enjoy the best spring foods and snacks in Tokyo? Here are some ideas:

Pay tribute to the beauty of sakura with a creative sweets-making workshop! Learn to craft Japanese nerikiri confectioneries, a type of wagashi (traditional sweet) often served in tea ceremonies. 

In Southern Tokyo’s Ikegami Plum Garden, a wagashi instructor will guide you on your nerikiri-making efforts, before you enjoy your sakura-shaped sweets with matcha.

After the experience, we recommend taking a stroll by nearby Ikegami Honmonji Temple, one of the city’s lesser-known sakura spots, boasting incredible views of its approximately 300 cherry blossom trees against the backdrop of its ancient grounds.

Find out more: What Is Wagashi?

Proving that the sakura season can be enjoyed indoors as much as outdoors, the aesthetic MOSKA by Ginger Garden Cafe never fails to impress with its seasonal displays. 

Sit among a cloud of pink flowers, enjoy an Instagram-worthy sakura and matcha afternoon tea full of intricate and surprising savory and sweet foods and drinks in one of Tokyo’s most coveted cafes in the centric district of Omotesando.

Not even the stoic cases of Japanese sake remain unaffected by the magic and beauty of the sakura season, and who can blame them? 

For a limited time only (between March 20 and April 15), this sake tasting in Tsukiji becomes sakura-themed! You can enjoy sipping on sakura-inspired Japanese sake led by a professional sake sommelier who will introduce you to Japan’s national drink and provide you with an assortment of 60 bottles for all-you-can-drink sipping.

Spring weather is perfect for wearing a soft silk kimono and heading enjoying the outdoors! 

This flower-viewing picnic at Tokyo’s Yoyogi Park is held by friendly locals who will bring an assortment of snacks and drinks to give you a taste of Japan’s most iconic spring flavors. 

Dressed in kimono, you’ll take part in an open-air tea ceremony, play traditional Japanese games and savor spring-inspired treats that pair well with matcha.

Want to learn more about spring-inspired foods in Japan? Check out these must-try Japanese spring foods. Or follow spring in Japan by learning more about spring in Kyoto and Osaka.