Travel ideas and tips for each season in Japan.
2026/01/12(Mon)For travelers planning a trip to Japan in early 2026, there’s exciting news: the famous Kawazu Sakura (cherry blossoms) in Shizuoka Prefecture are predicted to bloom earlier than ever, offering a rare chance to see Japan’s iconic flower well before…
Welcome to Japan’s cherry blossom season! Hanami (flower viewing) is a beloved tradition, but it comes with unwritten rules rooted in a culture of sharing public spaces. While many parks are quite relaxed, knowing the core etiquette ensures you can…
Japan’s cherry blossom season is a world-renowned spectacle, but the early-blooming Kawazu Sakura in Shizuoka Prefecture offers a unique, month-long preview starting in early February. Unlike the more common Somei Yoshino, these blossoms are a vibrant pink and last longer,…
For travelers planning a spring trip to Japan, the wait is over. The first official 2026 cherry blossom forecast has been released by WeatherNews, providing the earliest glimpse of when to expect Japan’s iconic sakura to arrive. This guide is…
Current date: 2026-01-06 (JST) What Happened The dates for the 36th annual Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival have been officially announced. The event will take place from Saturday, February 7 to Sunday, March 8, 2026. This festival celebrates the early-blooming Kawazu-zakura,…
Current date: 2026-01-05 (JST) What This Guide Covers This is a guide to understanding the Japanese cherry blossom season. It explains the cultural background, different types of blossoms, and the general timing of the season across Japan. The goal is…
Current date: 2026-01-04 (JST) What This Article Explains Planning a spring trip to Japan is no longer about aiming for a vague early-April window. For 2026, official cherry blossom forecasts have been released significantly earlier than in past years, providing…
What This Article Explains Current date: 2026-01-02 (JST) Spring in Japan is often marketed as a singular, perfect season of cherry blossoms and mild weather. However, the reality for a traveler on the ground is more complex. This article provides…
Current date: 2025-12-27 (JST) What Is Happening The traditional winter phenomenon known as “Omiwatari” (御神渡り), or “The God’s Crossing,” on Lake Suwa in Nagano Prefecture has not occurred since the winter of 2018. If the lake does not freeze completely…