Every spring, the arrival of cherry blossom season brings a sense of excitement and beauty that is exciting for locals and visitors. Hanami, the traditional Japanese custom of enjoying flowers, especially cherry blossoms, is at the heart of this experience. To celebrate this time, we asked a few of our experienced guides – who lead our popular cherry blossom tours – about what makes this season so special to them. From sharing their favorite moments with travelers to memories on why cherry blossoms hold a unique place in their hearts, each guide offers a glimpse into their world during this unforgettable time of year. We’re excited to share the amazing tours we’ve had, filled with appreciation for sakura blossoms, as we commemorate this beloved season.
Michie
Michie With The Cherry Blossoms – Photo Credit: Michie
Hi, I’m Michie Kubota, a Tokyoite living in Sendagaya, Shibuya, near Shinjukugyoen Park and Yoyogi Park, which are popular spots for Cherry blossom viewing in Tokyo. I have been a guide with Arigato Travel for nearly 6 years.
With the cherry blossom season being so short and unpredictable, planning is key for a successful viewing! How do you prepare for the tours each year and create an engaging experience for all ages?
I always look forward to the full bloom of Sakura, as it’s truly beautiful, but I find joy in every phase of the blossoms. The budding Sakura represents new energy and growth, and I draw strength from the new leaves. The falling petal phase is romantic and reminds me that everything has an end, evoking a sense of sentimentality. Japanese culture has a deep appreciation for things that are fragile and impermanent, teaching us to appreciate the present moment, much like the philosophy of Zen. I often share this perspective with my guests during tours. When I host a tour, I always pray for a sunny day so that we can enjoy a picnic outside, which I believe is the best way to view the Sakura. Sometimes, during the actual viewing, I like to play games with my guests to make the experience even more enjoyable!
How do you celebrate the cherry blossom season when you’re not guiding tours?
I enjoy indulging in Sakura-themed treats such as Sakura mochi, Sakura latte, Sakura cookies, Sakura parfait, and Sakura beer, to name a few. There are numerous Sakura-related food options available in Japan!
What do you hope visitors take away from experiencing cherry blossom tours with you?
I want to give my guests a once-in-a-lifetime experience! I want them to have a lot of fun, and if possible, I would like them to understand a little bit of Zen philosophy associated with the tradition of hanami, which encourages people to focus on the present moment.
Anything else you would like to share with our readers?
I hope you get the chance to see Sakura here in Japan. Before finalizing your travel dates, consider asking local experts (Arigato Travel specialists) about the best time to see the Sakura. If Sakura hasn’t bloomed in Tokyo when you arrive, consider traveling south to see them, and if the Sakura season has ended in Tokyo, consider traveling north. This year, I visited Hirosaki, Aomori during Golden Week (late April and early May) and enjoyed the stunning cherry blossoms spread all over town.
Ray
Lanterns on the Night Cherry Blossom Tour – Photo Credit: Ray
I’m Ray, from Kazan (Tatarstan) and I have been a guide for over a year now!
With the cherry blossom season being so short and unpredictable, planning is key for a successful viewing! How do you prepare for the tours each year and create an engaging experience for all ages?
I try to create the atmosphere of hanami (Japanese traditional admiring cherry blossoms) on my tours, so that my guests truly imagine themselves as the Japanese enjoying strolls among gorgeous sakura trees and having delicious food in restaurants and food stalls around.
How do you celebrate the cherry blossom season when you’re not guiding tours?
I usually have a picnic in a park with my wife or friends. We chat, play boardgames, laugh, have fun, enjoy hanami related seasonal food, drinks, snacks, and sweets.
What advice would you give to someone visiting Japan during the cherry blossom season for the first time?
Check the sakura blooming forecast and plan everything in advance as it will get super crowded everywhere and get ready for prices to skyrocket during the period.
What do you hope visitors take away from experiencing cherry blossom tours with you?
Genuine experience of enjoying hanami like a local, trying delicious Japanese food and drinks, unforgettable beautiful photo memories, and general useful knowledge about Japan, sakura, traditions, food, and manners.
Sandra
Sandra & Her Puppy With The Cherry Blossoms – Photo Credit: Sandra
My name is Sandra, and I’m from Barcelona, Spain. I have been a guide in Tokyo for two years, and it has been a wonderful experience. I’ve had the opportunity to meet many amazing people and try a wide variety of delicious food!
What makes the cherry blossom season unique compared to other times of the year?
The cherry blossom season is special because it’s a short but beautiful time when cherry trees bloom with lovely pink and white flowers. This amazing sight lasts only a few weeks, creating a magical atmosphere that encourages people to go outside and enjoy the beauty. It’s also a time for renewal and reflection, reminding us how temporary life can be. In Japan, this season includes festivals, picnics, and gatherings under the blossoms, called “hanami,” which adds to its cultural importance.
What is your favorite part of guiding cherry blossom tours?
My favorite part of guiding cherry blossom tours is seeing the smiles on everyone’s faces when they see the blooms in full swing. It’s so fun to share stories about the cherry blossom traditions and the whole hanami vibe. I love watching people connect with nature and each other, making great memories together. It’s just such a special time that brings everyone together!
When you’re surrounded by beautiful cherry blossoms, there’s nothing better than pairing the view with a tasty treat! What is the best food or snack to enjoy while viewing the cherry blossoms?
A picnic with a bento box full of sushi, tamagoyaki, and fresh vegetables is a great way to enjoy light snacks under the cherry blossoms. You can also find sakura-flavored treats during the season, like cookies, cakes, and even sakura ice cream, which have a nice floral taste and are perfect for the time.
What do you hope visitors take away from experiencing cherry blossom tours with you?
I hope visitors come away from my cherry blossom tours with a genuine appreciation for the beauty and meaning of the blossoms. I want them to connect with nature and understand the cultural traditions of hanami. It would be wonderful if they left with lasting memories and stories to share with loved ones. Most importantly, I want them to feel inspired by the temporary nature of the season, reminding them to cherish beautiful moments in their own lives!
Kay
Kay With The Cherry Blossoms – Photo Credit: Kay
I’m Kay. I grew up in Osaka and Tokyo and went to college in the States. My family are Korean immigrants, so I had Japanese education at school and Korean style at home. I joined Arigato Travel as a guide before COVID spread, and it has brought me various joys through meeting people from all over the world.
What makes the cherry blossom season unique compared to other times of the year?
Cherry blossom season is very short, approximately 10 days up to 2 weeks every year, and that’s enough to say how special it is to try and gaze at them. Cherry blossom trees represent beauty and mortality for Japanese people. Their natural beauty is fleeting, which illustrates the Japanese concept of wabi-sabi: accepting and recognizing the beauty of imperfection. This is why this season is very much special and unique.
With the cherry blossom season being so short and unpredictable, planning is key for a successful viewing! How do you prepare for the tours each year and create an engaging experience for all ages?
To prepare for Sakura tours, I like to go out and check the routes beforehand to find where buds are coming out. I make sure to have Sakura-themed disposable items like napkins and chopsticks, and prepare pictures and videos of Sakura-themed products. I try to come up with Sakura-related questions to do trivia quizzes during the tour. And of course I prepare pink outfits!
What is your favorite part of guiding cherry blossom tours?
My favorite thing about the Sakura tours is sharing the Japanese people’s passion for Sakura and why it is so important. It’s important to share the reasons and feelings behind it, not just to view the pretty flowers. For Japanese people, this time of year brings out warm feelings. You can just smile without trying. It’s always busy, but so fun! Japanese people’s excitement for Sakura can be so much that they will plan up to a year ahead of time and travel to follow the Sakura forecast or join a tour.
What do you hope visitors take away from experiencing cherry blossom tours with you?
Wear something pink even if it’s something little! Find as much Sakura-flavored food and drinks as you can!
Katayama
Cherry Blossom Tree – Photo Credit: Katayama
I’m Katayama, born and raised in Kyoto city. I have been a guide for 9 months!
When you’re surrounded by beautiful cherry blossoms, there’s nothing better than pairing the view with a tasty treat! What is the best food or snack to enjoy while viewing the cherry blossoms?
Green tea or Kobu-cha (kelp tea) with Hanami dango!
What advice would you give to someone visiting Japan during the cherry blossom season for the first time?
Try to book accommodation near the Kamogawa river so that you can enjoy the beautiful cherry blossom atmosphere easily by walking all the way along the river. That’s very special and already worthy of visiting Kyoto in the high season.
What do you hope visitors take away from experiencing cherry blossom tours with you?
Peaceful feelings and a pinky atmosphere while having nice sweets!
Sanae
Sanae With The Cherry Blossoms – Photo Credit: Sanae
I’m Sanae, born and brought up in Kyoto. I have been a guide for one year and half.
What makes the cherry blossom season unique compared to other times of the year?
After long cold days in winter, we Japanese always wait for cherry trees to bloom. Plum blossoms are a harbinger spring, which starts in February, but the gorgeousness of cherry blossoms is totally different. The short, limited period of cherry blossoms is also a big player. We have to rush to cherry blossom viewing sites.
With the cherry blossom season being so short and unpredictable, planning is key for a successful viewing! How do you prepare for the tours each year and create an engaging experience for all ages?
There are various kinds of cherry trees, which do not bloom at the same time. Last year when somei yoshino (Yoshino Cherry Tree) bloomed later than usual, there were still a certain kind of cherry tree in bloom at different gardens. They were impressive among cherry trees not yet in bloom.
What are your favorite spots to see cherry blossoms?
In Kyoto: along the riverside promenades of the River Kamo, on Philosopher’s Path, Nijo Castle, Daigo Temple, Heian-jingu Shrine, the Kyoto Prefectural Botanical Garden and Nakaragi Path along the northern part of the Kamo River.
In Osaka, Nishinomaru Garden in Osaka Castle. In Shiga, Mii Temple.
How do you celebrate the cherry blossom season when you’re not guiding tours?
It is deeply tied to food and drinks. I never fail to buy Japanese sweets like tri-colored dumplings and Sakura-mochi. I make a special kind of sushi called barazushi (sushi decorated with fish, shredded egg and shiitake mushroom) and have a family party with good sake.
Thank you so much for taking the time to be interviewed and sharing your experience as a guide! Our 2025 cherry blossom tours are open for booking – check out which one fits your needs using the links below!
2025 Daytime Hanami (Cherry Blossom) Tour: Osaka
Dates: March 25th-April 11th 2025
2025 Cherry Blossom Season Evening Hanami Tour: Kyoto
Dates: March 25th-April 11th 2025
2025 Daytime Hanami (Cherry Blossom) Tour: Tokyo
Dates: March 18th-April 8th 2025
2025 Evening Hanami (Cherry Blossom) Tour: Tokyo
Dates: March 18th-April 8th 2025
Featured Photo Credit: mapman
