By tight travellers, June 2026
Cherry blossom season in Japan is iconic and is on many traveller’s bucket list; ours too. But after spending 10 weeks exploring Japan, watching the season change from winter to spring, and prices double we didn’t think it was all it cracked up to be!
Cherry Blossom Season in Japan
This was one of the costs that us tight travellers were dreading; and for good reason. We expected higher prices, larger crowds, but in return we also expected to see Japan’s cities covered in a blanket of pink. And we did, kind of, but after exploring Japan during plum blossom season the cherry blossoms did not really compare. Plus, we ‘av cherry blossoms back ‘ome in Yorkshire so it ain’t like we ‘aven’t seen ‘em before.
The Reality of Cherry Blossom Season
Prices double. Flights? Extortionate. Accommodation? ‘ow much?! Transport? Bloody ridiculous. Travelling on a budget can still be done – we averaged £40 each per day, but I guess you need to ‘av a good ol’ ponder and decide whether it’s worth it.
Everywhere is rammed. Not only are you paying a fortune, but so is every man and his dog! Gone is the peace and quiet you have in the months prior and after; instead, you’re squeezing yoursen through crowds and waiting around for donkeys (not literally).
The cherry blossoms themselves, lack colour and only fully bloom for about a week – you’ll have to do a lot of research to find when the exact bloom is, but chances are you just look for the most spenny week.
When You Should Visit Instead
February – March
We thought that plum blossom season was more impressive and more budget friendly. This is February to March; the blossoms are more vibrant, and you can enjoy then wi’out feeling like a sardine.
Best Places to View
Mt. Tsukuba Plum Blossom Garden, Ibaraki
Many places also have yearly Plum Blossom Festivals which have tea ceremonies, dances and music, and food stalls. Similar to the Cherry Blossom Festivals, but a lot less crowded.
October – November
Japan looks proper good in Autumn, with vibrant colours and 100’s of maple leaves. Most of the crowds have dispersed, the prices are more reasonable, and it is the perfect weather for spending time outside.
Best Places to View
If you’ve decided Cherry Blossom season cannot be missed, then make sure to check out some more local spots that hopefully won’t be as busy! Try places like Kyoto Botanical Gardens, Kema Sakuranomiya Park in Osaka. Remember to use our GYG code ‘TIGHTTRAVELLERS5’
*This page contains affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site at no additional cost to you. Thanks for taking the time to read and helping us keep the blog going!
