The sakura season is not too far away!
Every Spring, tons of locals and tourists alike flood Japan to see the cherry blossoms reach full bloom. According to the official forecast from Japan Meteorological Corporation, the sakura season of 2019 will start mid-February in southern Japan and move northwards, hitting Kyoto and Tokyo around late March, and the northernmost regions by early May.
As the full bloom only lasts about a week, you have to fight through huge crowds at for a place to relax and take good photos. So skip the most popular viewing spots this year; hidden across Japan (even in Tokyo and Kyoto), are lesser-known but no less scenic spots full of the pink and white beauties. Even better, you have the peace and space to admire them and even picnic under the trees.
5. Makino Botanical Garden, Kochi Prefecture
The rural Kochi Prefecture in Shikoku Island doesn’t see too many tourists throughout the year, so you can look forward to spending a rather peaceful and intimate time with your loved ones at most of the cherry tree areas in Kochi. The flowers come to full bloom towards the end of March in Kochi, and one of the most beautiful places to enjoy them is Makino Botanical Garden. A big tranquil garden on the slopes of Mount Godaisan, it’s home to about 30 different kinds of cherry trees alongside many other flowers, affording you stunning and colourful sights everywhere you turn. With such a wide variety of cherry blossoms, you can witness many different shades of white and pink, at various stages of blooming.
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