Cherry Blossoms in Unexpected Seasons

How to find sakura in February and throughout the year

photo by the author

“I want to go to Japan to see the cherry blossoms!”

Many visitors to Japan share this dream. Seeing trees covered in soft pink blooms signals the arrival of spring.

For 2026, the current cherry blossoms forecast predicts the flowers will bloom in Tokyo starting March 21 in a wave starting a little earlier in southern areas and later in the north and in the mountains.

But not every tourist can visit Japan during the peak cherry blossom season. If fact, given the overwhelming surge of tourists during that time which aligns with spring break, you might even want to avoid traveling to Japan then. But you might feel disappointed if you have to miss the beauty of the cherry trees in bloom.

Wait! It’s too early to give up on your blossom dreams. You still have a chance to find them at different times throughout Tokyo and the rest of the country.

What if I told you…

You can see cherry blossoms in Tokyo as early as January.

Surprised? The photo below was taken at the beginning of January. No, it’s not AI-generated; I took it myself!

photo by the author

It’s true that the peak cherry blossom season in Tokyo is usually from late March to early April.

Still, no worries! You can enjoy various cherry blossoms in Tokyo from December all the way through late April.

But how?

Early & Late-Blooming Cherry Trees

photo by the author

How can you see cherry blossoms in different seasons? The answer is simple: Not all cherry trees are the same!

When most people think of cherry blossoms, they imagine Somei Yoshino, the most common variety in Japan. These bloom in late March and the flowers only last about 10 days before falling.

While about 80% of Tokyo’s cherry trees are Somei Yoshino, there are many other varieties with different colors, shapes, and blooming schedules.

Here is a photo gallery of the main cherry blossom varieties and their peak seasons (photos by the author):

somei yoshino — photo by the author

Okame-zakura (Mid Mar) — Deep pink, downward-facing flowers.

okamezakura — photo by the author

Kan-zakura (Late Feb–Mid Mar) — Deep pink flowers; one of the first to bloom.

kanzakura — photo by the author

Yaezakura (Mid Apr) — Multi-layered blossoms with thick, lush petals.

yaezakura — photo by the author

Kawazu-zakura (Late Feb–Early Mar) — Bright pink blossoms, famously celebrated in Kawazu.

kawazu zakura — photo by the author

Oshima-zakura (Late Mar–Early Apr) — White flowers that bloom alongside green leaves.

oshima sakura — photo by the author

Additional common varieties of cherry trees:

• Jugatsu-zakura (Oct–Dec & Late Mar–Apr) — Small flowers that bloom twice a year.
• Okan-zakura (Mid Mar) — Elegant blossoms with pale petals.
• Yama-zakura (Late Mar–Early Apr) — Beautiful wild white flowers.
• Shidare-zakura (Late Mar–Early Apr) — Cherry blossoms with elegant, drooping branches.

Best Spots in Tokyo to View Cherry Blossoms Other than Somei Yoshino

While Tokyo has many famous sakura spots, most focus on Somei Yoshino trees. If you want to see other varieties, check out these hidden gems:

• Yoyogi Park — A spacious city park featuring Kawazu-zakura for an early bloom.
• Nihonbashi — Home to beautiful Okame-zakura, perfect for photography.
• Kyobashi — One of the best places to see Jugatsu-zakura in full bloom.
• Azabudai — Near Azabudai Hills, you’ll find vibrant Kawazu-zakura in early spring.
• Aoyama — A stylish district where you can spot a hidden Jugatsu-zakura tree.
• Toyosu Gururi Park — A waterfront park where you can enjoy Jugatsu-zakura with a scenic bay view.
• Hibiya Park — A relaxing city oasis with a diverse mix of sakura varieties.
• Shiba Park — Enjoy cherry blossoms with Tokyo Tower as your backdrop, including early-blooming Kan-zakura!