Recommendation for Sakura period

[cancerguy84]

I'm thinking of doing a solo 2 weeks trip to Japan, either mid Apr (18 Apr onwards) or early to mid May.

Would I still able to catch sakura? If so, where? According to The Bloom of Cherry Blossoms 2014, I still could in Aomori and Hokkaido. However, what attractions are there in Aomori?

Haven't really gone down into the details of the trip but plan to visit the following places
1)

1) Tokyo
Tokyo Skytree
Ueno Park
Shinjuku
Akihabara
Tokyo Tower
Roppongi
Asakusa
Disneyland/DisneySea
Tsujiki Fish Market


2) Osaka

Universal Studios
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
Dotonbori and Namba
Osaka Castle / Osaka Castle Park
Umeda Joypolis Sega
Kema Sakuranomiya Park (Sakura)


3) Mount Fuji


Would 12 days trip suffice? Any recommendation for accoms for single room?


Thanks in advance.

 

[cpuer]

Aomori's attractions:
Aomori Travel Guide

 

[panDaz]

Aomori is too far, since you are planning to explore western Japan.

Try this: osaka mint bureau Osaka Travel: Osaka Mint Bureau

They are famous for late blooming sakura. If you go there on 18 maybe still can catch?

Toyama has tulip festival too. It's on my bucket list.

 

[gerald27]

Is this Cherry Blossoms?

I captured this shot in Ueno Park last friday (21 Feb 2014) ... I didn't expect to see them this early

 

[evilerniex]

Is this Cherry Blossoms?

I captured this shot in Ueno Park last friday (21 Feb 2014) ... I didn't expect to see them this early

think that is a plum blossom (ume). they usually bloom in february

 

[gerald27]

think that is a plum blossom (ume). they usually bloom in february

ahhh i see .... got excited for nothing hahaha

 

[Nalgene123]

Hi TS...you can go Japan Guide..they have an annual Sakura viewing trip reports...you can see the previous years report to get an idea of the peak Sakura season in Kanto and Kansai

 

[vincent007]

Hi TS...you can go Japan Guide..they have an annual Sakura viewing trip reports...you can see the previous years report to get an idea of the peak Sakura season in Kanto and Kansai

2013 was an exception though, with sakura being 1 week earlier

 

[cancerguy84]

Thanks for all the tips...from Japan Guide, seems like the best time to visit Japan for sakura in early April. After mid Apr, I would need to travel to Aomori or even further north to Hokkaido.

Since i'm doing multiple cities, would it be better to fly to Osaka and depart from Tokyo, or should i fly Tokyo and depart from Osaka?

Are there recommendations for accessible accommodation in Tokyo, Osaka, Mt Fuji (nearby) and Kyoto for 1 person? Budget about $80/night. Looking for own room with no shared toilet.

Based on the following places I'd like to visit, would 12-14 days suffice? Is it too much or too little?

1) Tokyo (perhaps 6 days)
Tokyo Skytree
Ueno Park
Shinjuku
Akihabara
Tokyo Tower
Roppongi
Asakusa
Disneyland/DisneySea
Tsujiki Fish Market
Harujuku
Shibuya Crossing

2) Osaka (3 days)
Universal Studios
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
Dotonbori and Namba
Osaka Castle / Osaka Castle Park
Umeda Joypolis Sega
Kema Sakuranomiya Park (Sakura)
Osaka Mint Bureau


3) Mount Fuji (2 days)

4) Kyoto (2 days)

 

[cpuer]

Thanks for all the tips...from Japan Guide, seems like the best time to visit Japan for sakura in early April. After mid Apr, I would need to travel to Aomori or even further north to Hokkaido.

Since i'm doing multiple cities, would it be better to fly to Osaka and depart from Tokyo, or should i fly Tokyo and depart from Osaka?

Are there recommendations for accessible accommodation in Tokyo, Osaka, Mt Fuji (nearby) and Kyoto for 1 person? Budget about $80/night. Looking for own room with no shared toilet.

Based on the following places I'd like to visit, would 12-14 days suffice? Is it too much or too little?

1) Tokyo (perhaps 6 days)
Tokyo Skytree
Ueno Park
Shinjuku
Akihabara
Tokyo Tower
Roppongi
Asakusa
Disneyland/DisneySea
Tsujiki Fish Market
Harujuku
Shibuya Crossing

2) Osaka (3 days)
Universal Studios
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
Dotonbori and Namba
Osaka Castle / Osaka Castle Park
Umeda Joypolis Sega
Kema Sakuranomiya Park (Sakura)
Osaka Mint Bureau


3) Mount Fuji (2 days)

4) Kyoto (2 days)

Seems like you are willing to go all out to catch sakura, then you should just remove Osaka/Kyoto this time round. From Tokyo, you can travel northward easier.

 

[Coyote66]

I also intend to travel to japan for sakura around late mar or early apr with my wife
date not fix yet
first time visiting japan
intend to spend from 6-10 days the most
hope to get some guidance

guided or non guided tour?
suggested itinery etc?
the coming NATAS fair any good offers to grab?

 

[cpuer]

I also intend to travel to japan for sakura around late mar or early apr with my wife
date not fix yet
first time visiting japan
intend to spend from 6-10 days the most
hope to get some guidance

guided or non guided tour?>>personal choice, depends on much time are you willing to spend on research and how much effort you want to put in
suggested itinery etc?>>>Lots, you can look at the sample itinerary in this forums or start from japan-guide for suggestions by locality
japan-guide.com - Japan Travel and Living Guide
the coming NATAS fair any good offers to grab?>>>you have to go there to compare on site

happy deciding

 

[snap99]

Is this Cherry Blossoms?

I captured this shot in Ueno Park last friday (21 Feb 2014) ... I didn't expect to see them this early

It's ume. Did you smell the flowers ? Ume blooms have a very nice fragrance ....

 

[gerald27]

It's ume. Did you smell the flowers ? Ume blooms have a very nice fragrance ....

too high for me to smell them hahaa ... they didn't fall either

 

[cancerguy84]

Seems like you are willing to go all out to catch sakura, then you should just remove Osaka/Kyoto this time round. From Tokyo, you can travel northward easier.

Actually Osaka is where I'd like to visit. Perhaps I can go earlier so that I can catch the sakura period. Not exactly keen to go to Aaomori. Are there any recommendations on accoms? Any particular places i missed out? =x

 

[cpuer]

Actually Osaka is where I'd like to visit. Perhaps I can go earlier so that I can catch the sakura period. Not exactly keen to go to Aaomori. Are there any recommendations on accoms? Any particular places i missed out? =x

using this as a guide
Cherry Blossoms (Sakura)

I intend to stay in chuogroup.com hostels in Osaka during my coming Dec trip there. I always use japan-guide as my reference for sights shortlisting.

 

[snap99]

Good luck in your Sakura Hunt this year !!

 

[stars87]

using this as a guide
Cherry Blossoms (Sakura)

I intend to stay in chuogroup.com hostels in Osaka during my coming Dec trip there. I always use japan-guide as my reference for sights shortlisting.

Hello cpuer

I'd be in hirosaki on April 27 and aomori and hakodate on 28

Going to the Sakura festivals at hirosaki and goryokaku.wanna link up?

 

[fuzzybear]

over the newsa say japan air is affected by china pm2.5
is it bad now?

 

[snap99]

over the newsa say japan air is affected by china pm2.5
is it bad now?

Indeed it is visibly hazy in the afternoons. I am in Osaka now and I do not remember winters in Japan with such hazy skies. There were numbers of 90 for PM2.5 ....