One of the things I notice from people is that in February, many say they saw the cherry blossoms.
In Japan, typically in Tokyo or Kyoto the cherry blossoms are seen during the tail end of March and early April, but the more you go north of Japan, in colder regions, cherry blossoms may show up in April and May.
But in February or early March, what people mostly see are plum blossoms (ume). But how can you tell the difference? Primarily by color.
The confusion is because when people think of “Cherry Blossoms” (sakura), they think pink. But cherry blossom petals are actually white, plum blossom petals are purplish pink.
Plum Blossoms are absolutely beautiful and when you start seeing it, it’s a reminder that in a few weeks later, the cherry blossoms are coming.
In Tokyo, cherry blossoms come around the last week of March. This is probably one of the things I tell people who go to Japan and are wanting to see the cherry blossoms, they plan their vacations in early March, but in reality, if you want to see the cherry blossoms, set it for the last week of March and first week of April.
And when you do, you will see the white petals of the cherry blossoms on the trees.
It’s a beautiful sight to see. Especially when they have both next to each other.
I am often asked if someone books their vacation in mid-April, if the cherry blossoms can still be seen in Tokyo?
Here is a comparison of Yoyogi Park from the last week of March, the first week of April and the second week of April:
March 30
April 6
April 13:
And another big question, some ask if they book a trip in late March (typically the third week and fourth week of March), will they still see the cherry blossoms? The answer is yes but a few days makes a big difference.
For example, near Meguro River, the difference between March 27 and April 2:
So, a difference a week makes?
I remember when I went to Japan in 2015, and went in the third to fourth week of March and I left Japan on March 25th, while I saw the plum blossoms, I saw the trees start to show the sakura buds, but I learned a big lesson and thus I extend another week. A lot of major events in Tokyo happen on the third weekend of Japan, so they go in the second week of March and the third week of March before heading home. But if you can work it out where you try to make it to the third weekened and the fourth weekend of March, you’ll get to see both the plum and cherry blossoms.
