Behold, the annual Sakura season in Japan, a time when the cherry blossoms bloom in all their pink glory, and the streets are filled with tourists left and right.
Picture this: millions of visitors from all around the world fight their way for the perfect cherry blossom selfie. It’s a beautiful sight, but also a crowded nightmare that even the most seasoned traveller might find overwhelming.
We all want to see these pink petals at their peak… which is why we made this guide just for you! It’s designed to navigate you through this sea of tourists and help you avoid the classic cherry blossom blunders. So, buckle up and learn what not to do to survive Japan’s Sakura season.
Cherry Blossom Crowds and Overtourism in Japan
First, let’s address the elephant in the room: Japan is facing a looming overtourism problem. During Sakura season, Japan transforms into a pink cloudy paradise that attracts the largest population of tourists. Cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto become the major hubs of Sakura enthusiasts, with visitor numbers skyrocketing from late March and throughout April.
Photo: jessedyck, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Overtourism in Japan has one simple cause: there are too many people in one place at almost any given time. It reaches a point where the influx of tourists has turned what used to be peaceful landmarks into bustling tourist attractions.
While it’s great that these foreign tourists contribute to the Japanese economy, oftentimes they unintentionally disrupt the everyday life of local people. Because of cultural differences, many overseas visitors, perhaps unknowingly, fail to recognise local customs and norms.
Reported Tourist Misbehaviour, from Torii Pull-ups to Meiji Jingu Graffiti
It’s not uncommon to witness tourists in Japan act as if they own the place, which they do not. There have been a few reports about foreign visitors exhibiting misbehaviour on the streets of Japan. To some, these actions may not seem like a big deal, but for the Japanese, they are actually considered offensive.
Common incidents of tourists misbehaving are being noisy on trains or leaving rubbish on sacred mountains, much to the dismay of Japanese locals who value respect and cleanliness. These cases of “bad tourist behaviour” are so common that Japanese media has even coined a term for these tourists, meiwaku gaikokujin, which translates to “nuisance foreigner.”
There are even more incidents similar to these that will make you facepalm, like the time a foreign woman was caught doing pull-ups on a torii gate at a shrine in Japan. Other cases include a tourist chasing a maiko (geisha apprentice) in a street of Kyoto and an American man who was arrested in November 2024 for scratching letters into a torii gate at Meiji Jingu in Tokyo.
Photo: Joli Rumi, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Truthfully, the majority of the inappropriate behaviour caused by tourists is unintentional, since most of these foreigners are unfamiliar with Japanese customs and culture. However, that doesn’t give them the green light to keep doing what they think is okay to do. After all, when in Japan, do as the Japanese do!
How the Japan Tourism Agency Is Tackling Overtourism
Government efforts have been made to combat overtourism. The Japan Tourism Agency has been encouraging visitors to explore lesser-known regions instead of only Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto, and it funds local measures to ease congestion. Campaigns also inform tourists about respecting customs and norms in Japan, hoping to reduce the impact on local communities.
If you’re second-guessing about visiting Japan during cherry blossom season, there’s no need to! Japan is still more than willing to welcome you, so just remember to avoid these common mistakes during your visit.
Mistake #1: Choosing Only Tokyo, Osaka or Kyoto for Sakura Season
As mentioned earlier, millions of overseas visitors flock to Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto during Sakura season, so limiting your trip to these famous places at this time is one of the biggest mistakes you can make.
Photo: Syced, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Imagine the streets bustling with tourists as the noise levels rise and the crowds thicken, leaving you with no area to see the cherry blossoms perfectly. Why waste your time navigating through these mobs of tourists when you can still enjoy Sakura season in other cities of Japan?
Mistake #2: Skipping Hokkaido, Okinawa and Fukushima’s Quieter Blossoms
Let us guide you through the Sakura season across all regions. If you prefer a quieter experience, consider waiting until late April or early May for Hokkaido’s cherry blossoms, when Goryokaku Park in Hakodate is usually at its best and you can enjoy the full bloom without the overwhelming crowds. You can also head to Okinawa from mid-January to mid-February so you can beat everyone else and see the Sakura flowers bloom first!
Photo: Goryokaku-Tower, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Other underrated Sakura destinations include Shinobuyama Park in Fukushima City, Hakodate Park in Hakodate, and Sapporo’s Moerenuma Park. These beautiful places offer a more serene experience, allowing you to truly appreciate the beauty of Japan’s cherry blossoms without the tourist madness.
Mistake #3: Planning Your Entire Japan Trip Around Cherry Blossoms Alone
We get it: it’s not a trip to Japan without seeing those iconic pink flowers bloom. You may feel like you need to create an itinerary that focuses on viewing Sakura, but we think that will just leave you disappointed. Why? Well, it’s because the timing of cherry blossom season is incredibly unpredictable.
The bloom period varies each year, influenced by factors such as weather conditions and regional climate differences. This unpredictability means that even with careful planning, you might find yourself missing the peak bloom by a few days or arriving too soon.
Photo: Takashi Hososhima, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
And even though cherry blossoms still remain the star of the show, don’t forget that Japan has other flowering tree seasons to enjoy. Plum blossoms (Ume blossoms) grace the land from January to March, apricot blossoms fill Anzu no Sato in Chikuma, Nagano, from late March to early April, peach orchards in Fuefuki, Yamanashi, turn pink in early April, and apple blossoms open around Hirosaki in Aomori in May. It’s a fruity and floral frenzy!
Mistake #4: Skipping Sakura Food, Spring Festivals and Seasonal Souvenirs
Here’s another reminder for you: there are other things to do during Sakura season. Why not indulge in Sakura-flavoured foods and drinks? Or perhaps visit shrines and temples during the vibrant spring festivals? Local shops sell Sakura-themed products during this season as well, so don’t forget to bring home some souvenirs.
Photo: Ocdp, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
While it’s tempting to schedule your entire Japan trip around the cherry blossoms, remember there’s a world of wonder waiting beyond those pink petals. You’ll find that Japan’s charm extends far beyond its famous Sakura flowers.
Mistake #5: Booking a Single Fixed Day for Cherry Blossoms
So, let’s say that you don’t plan your trip around the cherry blossoms yet still add them to your itinerary. You dedicate one day to seeing them and when that day comes… you’re staring at flower buds! The blooming period shifts every year, and once the flowers open, they stay at their best for only a short window before the petals fall.
Photo: 些細な日常, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Many tourists make the rookie mistake of planning their entire Japan trip around a fixed schedule to catch Sakura bloom, only to arrive while the trees are still in bud or after the petals have fallen. A cold snap can hold the buds back for days, and a spell of wind or rain can strip the branches soon after full bloom.
Mistake #6: Overlooking the Cherry Blossom Forecast
To avoid committing the mistake of following a rigid itinerary, plan your trip with a flexible mind. Japanese news media outlets show “cherry blossom forecasts” to help locals and tourists figure out when and where to view the flowers.
Image Credit: Japan Weather Association (JWA)
Keep an eye on daily weather forecasts and cherry blossom updates you can find online. This way, you can always hit the Sakura jackpot and witness the best blooms during this season.
Another pro tip: seek out Sakura during off-peak times to dodge the large crowds. Avoid afternoons and aim for early mornings or later evenings. Trust us, seeing cherry blossoms at odd hours is still just as captivating.
Mistake #7: Eating While Walking, Queue Jumping and Other Street Manners
One of the main reasons local authorities in Japan are tightening rules for visitors is behaviour that may offend Japanese locals. Whether these actions are intentional or not, it’s your responsibility not to be that kind of tourist.
Photo: Ludvig14, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
In Japan, it’s important to be mindful of your surroundings and observe how the locals behave in public spaces. From here, you get to understand how public etiquette works in Japan, from bowing to keeping to one side of the pavement.
Bad street manners in Japan include eating while walking, cutting in line, and drinking on the street. Consideration towards the people around you is highly valued in Japan, so carry this reminder with you at all times to better understand etiquette.
Mistake #8: Blocking Paths, Touching Trees and Leaving Rubbish
Yes, it’s tempting to take pictures of the flowers from every angle, but let’s not turn the streets into an obstacle course for others. Do not block the pathways, especially if you have large suitcases. This is just one of the few dos and don’ts in Japan during cherry blossom season.
DO NOT touch or climb the cherry trees either. They’re easily damaged, and your Facebook feed will survive without that tree-hugging shot. Do dispose of your rubbish properly, as Japan is a country that highly values cleanliness. Mother Nature will definitely appreciate that!
Photo: Syced, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Talking loudly might be the norm in some big cities, but do avoid loud and rowdy behaviour that might disrupt the experiences of the tourists and locals around you. Sure, the Sakura season is exciting, but let’s keep our noise levels to a minimum.
As you explore the streets of Japan during Sakura season, keep in mind to respect the space of others so you can fully embrace the serenity that the Japanese people value.
Mistake #9: Missing Out on Hanami Picnics Under the Blossoms
Ladies and gentlemen, introducing to you the tradition of Hanami, or “flower viewing!” Hanami is a Japanese traditional custom where people gather around the cherry blossom trees with family and friends and celebrate springtime together.
Photo: EllieBellie25, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
As a tourist, you are more than welcome to partake in this lovely tradition. Set your large luggage aside and picture yourself sitting beneath the cherry blossom trees, watching the Sakura petals flutter away in the wind. This is your chance to truly discover why Japanese people hold the cherry blossom dear to their hearts.
Before you spread out a picnic mat, check the park’s own rules. Shinjuku Gyoen in Tokyo, for example, charges adults 500 yen to enter and bans alcohol entirely, so save the beer for another park.
Mistake #10: Treating Sakura Only as a Photo Backdrop
Cherry blossom season is a highly anticipated time of the year for Japanese people as the Sakura holds great significance in their culture and history. However, some tourists simply see Sakura as a backdrop for their next Instagram story.
Photo: Guilhem Vellut, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Although there is no harm in taking pictures of the cherry blossoms for your next social media post, ignoring the true meaning behind the Sakura is one of the greatest mistakes you can make during this season. Let’s remember that there’s more to these famous flowers!
Bloom Forecasts, Local Etiquette and a Flexible Itinerary
As you embark on your Japanese spring journey, make a promise to yourself to dodge the Sakura tourists’ overkill and avoid committing the mistakes above. Remember, you can still revel in the beauty of Sakura flowers while being a responsible and respectful tourist. Stay updated with bloom forecasts, respect local etiquette, and maintain a flexible itinerary!
Jetpac’s Japan eSIM for Staying Connected Across Japan
Photo: bruchez, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
To make the most out of your trips to Japan, stay connected on the go with a fast and reliable eSIM. Lucky for you, we have the perfect suggestion for you, and it’s none other than Jetpac!
Jetpac’s Japan eSIM is designed specifically for travellers exploring Japan. With Jetpac, you can enjoy seamless connectivity across all regions of Japan, leaving behind the hassle of searching for Wi-Fi hotspots or dealing with faulty SIM cards.
From the bustling streets of Tokyo to the breathtaking views of Mount Fuji, Jetpac keeps you connected with ease. With a reliable connection, you can stay informed 24/7 and discover more underrated spots of Japan.
For your next Japan trip, make the Jetpac Japan eSIM your trusted travel companion. With Jetpac’s trustworthy eSIM service, you are guaranteed a Sakura experience filled with unforgettable moments.
