Best 5 viewing spots for cherry blossoms

There is a short window in which to see the cherry blossoms, so this can make it somewhat tricky for budget travelers. Train passes can really come in handy here, as if the weather changes before you visit and the conditions aren't quite right in the place you booked a hostel, you can quickly head somewhere better. For latest times, check the official Japan national tourism site, but here are the averages from the last 10 years:
- Tokyo: First bloom 22nd March, full bloom 30th March
- Kyoto: First bloom 24th March, full bloom 3rd April
- Osaka: First bloom 25th March, full bloom 3rd April
- Hiroshima: First bloom 24th March, full bloom 2nd April

There are great cherry blossom spots in every village, town and city in Japan, but here are our favorites:

The biggest park in Tokyo for cherry blossoms, and it’s all free. Can get super busy, but all the small stalls selling cheap food is a real plus.
A huge park, and known as a great place to view the cherry blossoms. Apart from the museums and zoo, free highlights include Bentendo (7am-5pm), an octagonal temple hall, and Toshogu Shrine (9am-4:30pm). Maps are located all over the park, so getting around is easy. To get there, use the Koen (Park) exit of Ueno station and walk over the road.
Access: Ueno Station
Cost: Free

Along Sumida river in Asakura, Tokyo. A fun, party atmosphere fills the park, which has a varied selection of cherry blossom trees.
Access: Asakusa Station
Cost: Free

A short walk from Meguro, the main action is around Naka-Meguro (The Meguro Parasitological Museum - Dedicated to bugs, parasites and other creepy crawlies). This long, winding river is the coolest place to see the cherry blossoms, as it’s lined with hip cafes and clothing shops. Come in the night with a beer or two.
Access: Naka-Meguro stations
Cost: Free

It's Beautiful shrine. See the big Buddha hanging out with all the cherry blossom trees in Kamakura. The grand, wide road leading up to the shrine is lined with cherry blossoms.
Cost: Free

The Philosopher’s Walk is another hotspot in Kyoto. There are cherry blossoms all along the way, plus a few attractions, such as small shrines surrounded by blossoming trees, to mix things up along the way.
Philosopher’s Walk is Kyoto’s quintessential walk, from Ginkaku-ji Temple in the north, down a quiet narrow canal and eventually to Nanzen-ji and surrounding temples. The canal is fed by Japan’s largest lake, Lake Biwa, and is lined with cherry blossom trees in spring. It’s lovely any time of the year though, with fireflies in the summer and autumn leaves in the fall. The route was given its name after Kitaro Nishida, a famous philosopher in the 19th century, who enjoyed walking through it as he developed his thoughts and theories.
Difficulty: Easy • Walk time: 30 minutes