8 Cherry Blossom Spots in Asia You Can’t Miss

Spring in Asia means one thing—cherry blossoms. While Japan and South Korea get most of the attention, there are incredible places across the continent to see sakura in full bloom.

In this guide, I’ve teamed up with fellow travelers to share the best cherry blossom spots in Asia. You’ll find everything from classic favorites like Kyoto and Seoul to off-the-radar gems such as Ban Khun Chang Khian in Thailand and Alishan in Taiwan. If you’re planning a spring trip to Asia, these are the spots worth adding to your list.

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Best Places to See Cherry Blossoms in Asia

Seoul

South Korea’s capital is one of the best places in Asia to see cherry blossoms, with sakura season usually peaking between late March and mid-April. If you’re visiting Seoul in spring, the whole city comes alive with pink and white blooms — from historic palaces to lakeside parks.

For a classic hanami experience, start with the gardens of Gyeongbokgung Palace, where blossoms frame centuries-old architecture. Nearby, you’ll also find the National Palace Museum and the National Folk Museum of Korea. Another favorite is Changgyeonggung Palace, especially if you have time to join the Secret Garden tour.

Beyond the palaces, wander through the alleyways of Insadong, where traditional hanok houses mix with cherry blossoms, or head to Seokchon Lake, where more than 1,000 trees bloom against the backdrop of Lotte World Tower.

Since Seoul is a popular cherry blossom destination, flights and hotels book up quickly. If you’re planning your trip, check out my 4 days in Seoul itinerary or this 3-day itinerary for more detailed travel tips. For a deeper dive into bloom locations, don’t miss my full guide on where to see cherry blossoms in Seoul.

And, if you’re also heading south, my 3-day Busan itinerary is a great add-on to your Korea trip. And if you’re flexible with timing, this guide on the best time to visit Seoul will help you figure out when to visit.

Gyeongju

Cherry blossom season is a big deal in South Korea. It usually starts in late March and lasts two to three weeks, depending on the location. While Seoul has plenty of beautiful parks for blossom viewing, Gyeongju is where you’ll find the crème de la crème. Known as the ancient Silla capital, the city is home to historic sites dating back more than 2,000 years.

During cherry blossom season, Gyeongju hosts an annual cherry blossom festival and marathon. The festival runs for four days with events and performances throughout the city. The marathon takes place just outside town at Bomun Lake, where the main road is lined with hundreds of cherry blossom trees.

Getting from Seoul to Gyeongju is easy by KTX train or express bus. The travel time and cost vary, so it’s worth comparing both before you go. If you’re planning to travel by rail, consider booking your KTX tickets in advance here or look into a KORAIL Pass if you’ll be making multiple train trips.

If you want to stay overnight, Gyeongju has plenty of great options — from traditional hanok stays to modern hotels. Check the latest hotel deals in Gyeongju.

Beyond cherry blossoms, don’t miss Tumuli Park, Bulguksa Temple, Seokguram Grotto, and the Cheomseongdae Observatory, all of which make Gyeongju one of South Korea’s most fascinating destinations year-round.

Gyeryongsan Cherry Blossoms Festival

One of South Korea’s lesser-known cherry blossom spots is Gyeryongsan National Park, just west of Daejeon. Each spring, locals gather around Donghaksa Temple — the first temple in Korean history to accept female monks — to celebrate the start of cherry blossom season.

The festival usually kicks off in late February, when the trees along the roadside turn a fluffy pinkish-white, and a cushion of petals gathers below. It’s also the start of the hiking season, so you’ll see crowds climbing Donghaksa Mountain (about 1,000 meters of ascent). If you’d rather avoid the main trail, there are quieter paths to explore.

The celebrations go on well into the night, with stalls serving beer and soju. Food is a little more expensive than the norm, but you can still find relatively cheap street food if you’re on a budget. If you’re feeling brave, you can find boiled silkworm pupae or green sea snails – both local delicacies. For something milder, you can’t go wrong with roasted chestnuts.

Getting to Kyeryongsan is straightforward, with regular buses from Daejeon Bus Station. If you’d like to stay nearby, Daejeon makes a convenient base with plenty of hotel options. There’s also a youth hostel at the park called Kyeryongsan Gapsa, where you can sleep on padded quilts on the floor, Korean style, in either dorms or private rooms.

Tokyo

Japan is arguably the best destination in Asia to see cherry blossoms, and Tokyo offers some of the most iconic views. The weather in spring can be unpredictable, so if you’re unsure what to pack, check out this guide on what to wear in Japan in spring.

For a few short weeks between late March and early April, Tokyo is blanketed in sakura. But what makes cherry blossom season here so special isn’t just the scenery—it’s the culture. Locals and visitors alike gather for hanami (cherry blossom viewing), spreading picnic blankets under the trees and celebrating with food, drinks, and music from morning until night.

For picture-perfect scenery, head to Yoyogi Park, which is also one of the best things to do in Shibuya. Another classic spot is Ueno Park, though expect big crowds. These spots have free entry but are also quite crowded. As a long-time Tokyoite, I’ve found that the most stunning places to see blooms are in traditional Japanese gardens.

Since spring is one of the busiest times to visit Tokyo, book flights and hotels well in advance. You can check the latest Tokyo hotel deals, or even consider a guided cherry blossom tour if you want insider access to the best viewing spots. To catch the blossoms at their peak, plan your visit for late March or the first week of April—any later and you’ll miss the full bloom.

Osaka

In and around Osaka, you’ll find some of the best places to see cherry blossoms in Japan. It is difficult to predict precisely when the best time to see them is, as it can vary each year slightly, but early April is when the blossoms are most often at their peak.

One of the most popular viewing spots is Osaka Castle (Osaka-jō), where the castle’s gardens overflow with pink blossoms. The castle itself makes a beautiful backdrop, especially if you join the locals for a hanami picnic with sake, beer, or an obento lunch box under the trees.

Another great spot is the Osaka Mint. It’s home to a different variety of trees that bloom a little later, typically in mid-April. The gardens open for extended hours during peak season, making this a great option if you miss the earlier blossoms.

If you have time, a day trip to Himeji Castle, Japan’s famous “White Castle,” is a must. You can also book tickets or tours in advance here. Another excellent nearby spot is Shukugawa Park, just 20 minutes away by train on the JR Kobe Line (covered by the JR West Kansai Area Pass) to Sakura Shukugawa Station, where cherry trees line both sides of the river and locals gather for hanami.

Osaka is well-connected via Kansai International Airport, making it an easy entry point to the region. Since cherry blossom season is one of the busiest times to visit, book flights and accommodation early (search the best hotel deals here).

Kyoto

I’ve been lucky to see cherry blossoms in Tokyo, Osaka, and across Japan, but Kyoto is still my favorite place for hanami. The city is already beautiful with its historic streets and temples, and when the sakura are in full bloom, it’s unforgettable.

One of the best daytime spots is the Philosopher’s Path, a stone-paved trail near Ginkakuji Temple lined with more than 500 cherry trees. When the blossoms peak, the entire canal turns blush pink, with petals drifting in the breeze and coloring the ground pink.

Although Sakura is omnipresent in Kyoto, the best place to see cherry blossoms, in my opinion, is the city’s most celebrated Kiyomizu-Dera temple at night. During hanami season, the temple hosts a special night illumination where the cherry trees are lit up along the hillside. The view overlooking Kyoto from the temple is spectacular—and one of my most memorable sakura experiences. Admission is about ¥500, and tickets can be purchased at the door until 9 p.m.

Kyoto’s cherry blossoms usually bloom a few days later than Tokyo’s, so plan accordingly. If you’re planning multiple-day trips in the Kansai region (Osaka, Nara, Himeji), the JR West Kansai Area Pass is a good way to save on train travel.

Alishan

One of the classic postcard images of Taiwan is a red locomotive chugging through a tunnel of cherry blossom trees. This quintessential scene can still be experienced in Alishan, Taiwan’s most famous mountain resort. You can book your Alishan entry ticket here in advance.

The narrow-gauge Alishan Forest Railway was first built during Japanese rule to log the region’s giant cypress trees at 2,500 meters above sea level. When logging ended, the trains began carrying tourists instead. Today, visitors come for much more than the ride. Alishan is also famous for its high mountain oolong teas, misty forest trails, and breathtaking sunrises above a sea of clouds.

Nearly 20,000 cherry blossom trees grow within the Alishan National Scenic Area. Most of them belong to the Yoshino variety, which blooms in softer white shades compared to the pink blossoms found elsewhere in Taiwan. The best time to see them is from March to April, but be sure to bring warm clothing — it can still be quite cold at this altitude.

Getting there can be a bit of a mission, but it’s worth the effort. For step-by-step details on routes, trains, and buses, here’s a complete guide on how to get to Alishan. If you’d rather not figure out the logistics on your own, you can also book a guided tour to Alishan, which takes the stress out of planning.

For more tips, check out this round-up of the best places to see cherry blossoms in Taiwan. And if you’re heading north, don’t miss Wuji Tianyuan Temple near Taipei. It’s another stunning cherry blossom destination with its colorful pagoda framed by sakura trees.

Ban Khun Chang Khian

Thailand may not be the first place that comes to mind for cherry blossoms, but it is possible to see them in this tropical country. Set in the forests of Doi Suthep Mountain, Ban Khun Chang Khian is a Hmong village that turns pink each year from late December to early February.

Since it’s close to Chiang Mai, the village makes an easy day trip if you’re visiting at the right time. You can hire a driver, rent a motorbike, or even join a hiking group to reach the village and its surrounding cherry trees.

The best part of this cherry blossom experience is that it’s still relatively unknown. In Japan and Korea, you’ll be hard-pressed to see Sakura flowers without crowds of others looking to do the same. But you can have the beautiful cherry blossoms mostly to yourself in this highland oasis in northern Thailand.

Take some time to wander around the neighboring Hmong village for a taste of life outside the city. Stop at one of the rustic coffee shops to support the locals, and be sure to bring your camera so you can prove that Japan is not the only place to see cherry blossoms!

Have you explored some of these cherry blossom spots in Asia? Share your favorite springtime destinations or hidden gems we missed below. I’d love to hear your picks!

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