The cherry blossom in Japan features a gentle color and a small body, but also has a strong character. The beauty of cherry blossoms lies in the warmth of their bloom, and even more in the heroic scene of purity, innocence, and determination when they fall after blossoming. If a thousand people have a thousand imaginations of Japan, it is believed that among the thousands of landscapes, there must be the silhouette of Mount Fuji Cherry Blossom as it is the ironic scenery of Japan, and also a neon complex that lingers in the hearts of many people. Mount Fuji is the highest peak in Japan, but also a symbol of Japanese culture, and many tourists go to Japan to see the elegance of Mount Fuji. Are there cherry blossoms on Mt. Fuji? Where can you enjoy the most beautiful Japanese cherry blossom on Mt. Fuji? Here is the complete guide on the Mount Fuji Cherry Blossom Season.
And if you hope to explore West Lake Village, Oshino Hakkai, Narusawa Hyoketsu Ice Cave, and Arakurayama Sengen Shrine to enjoy the natural and historical charm around Fuji Mountain and experience the natural hot springs in a traditional Japanese ryokan during your Mt. Fuji Sakura tour, lose no time to tell us your requests and your travel date to tailor the best Fuji itinerary and book the accommodation with the Fuji view for you.
Table of Contents
1. Best Time for Mt. Fuji Sakura Hanami 2024
2. Celebrations on Mt. Fuji Cherry Blossom Season
3. Best Spots to Capture Panoramic View of Mt. Fuji and Cherry Blossoms
4. Must-see Sights in Lake Kawaguchikom at Sakura Time
5. Sakura Viewing Places in Mount Fuji Neighborhood
6. 1-day Trip from Tokyo Directly to Mt. Fuji Transport Guide
7. Focus on Mt. Fuji Shibazakura Festival
1. Mount Fuji Cherry Blossom Season Forecast 2024
The cherry blossom season in Japan starts when the first bouquet of cherry blossom trees blooms and lasts until all the petals of the cherry blossoms have faded. In March and April every year when it is the best time to visit Japan for cherry blossoms, the whole of Japan is filled with a pink romantic atmosphere. When can you see cherry blossoms at Mt. Fuji 2024? According to the related forecast, the Mount Fuji Sakura season may be at the beginning of April and usually lasts for about a week. The Japan Sakura period runs from south to north from late March to early May. The cherry blossom dates in popular destinations like Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto are in late March, but if it rains it fades quickly. However, because Japan geographically spans many latitudes, there are significant climatic differences between regions, so the Sakura time in Japan varies from region to region, and you can see the Japan Cherry Blossom Forecast for more details. Overall, early April is the best time to see Sakura in Mt. Fuji.
2. How to Celebrate the Mount Fuji Cherry Blossom Season
The Cherry blossom season in Japan is one of the most famous festivals of the spring, and one of the biggest of the year. Every spring, when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, the Japanese people organize various forms of celebrations to celebrate this wonderful natural landscape. The celebration of the Sakura season is deeply rooted in Japanese culture and expresses an admiration of the beauty of nature and a reflection on the transient nature of life. In Hokkaido, people enjoy Hanami to celebrate the cherry blossom season in Sapporo. Here in Mt. Fuji, people also often organize Hanami festival parties, have picnics under the cherry blossom trees, drink and enjoy the cherry blossoms, play guitars, taste food and drinks and wear traditional kimonos to take pictures with the best Japanese cherry blossom tree to celebrate with family and friends. In addition, there are Hanami Sake, a banquet with the theme of Japan Hanami, and Hanamatsuri, a ceremony to pray to the god of Hanami. These celebrations reflect people's love of nature and appreciation of life and demonstrate the uniqueness of Japanese cherry blossom culture.
3. Best Spots to Capture Panoramic View of Mt. Fuji and Sakura
There are so many attractions under and around Mt. Fuji, but if you just make a 1-day Sakura tour there, you can spend your time visiting the best spots where you can capture panoramic views of Mt. Fuji and Cherry Blossoms. If you are not in a hurry, you can also head to Hakone, one of the best places for onsen in Japan, to stay overnight at the best ryokan in Hakone with view of Mt Fuji, which is another way to enjoy the charm of Mount Fuji during the Mt. Fuji Cherry Blossom Festival
●Lake Kawaguchiko: the Largest Lake of the Fuji Five Lakes
Best Viewing Time: March 31- April 3
Address: Fujikawaguchiko, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi, Japan
Lake Kawaguchi is one of the five lakes of Fuji, along with Lake Yamanaka, Lake Saiko, Lake Motosu, and Lake Seishin. Each of the five lakes is located in a different part of Mt. Fuji, and Lake Kawaguchiko offers the most complete view of Mt. Fuji and the most captivating scene of the Fuji cherry blossoms. On a clear and cloudless day, the entire top of Mt. Fuji is reflected in the blue surface of the lake, making Lake Kawaguchiko look like the exclusive dressing mirror of Mount Fuji. Lake Kawaguchiko is the best place to admire the most beautiful cherry blossoms in the Mount Fuji Sakura season and also the incredible scenery of Japanese red maple during the best time in autumn to visit Fuji Mountain.
●Arakura Fuji Sengen Shrine: Perfect Photography Viewpoint to Shoot Mt. Fuji and Sakura and the Chureito Pagoda together
Best Viewing Time: April 1- April 4
Address: 2-chome-4-1 Asama, Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi 403-0031, Japan
Opening Hours: Closed at 5 PM
Tel: +81 555-23-2697
Arakurayama Sengen Park is famous for its majestic view of Mt. Fuji and the five-story pagoda, Chureito Pagoda. There are about 650 cherry trees planted in the park. If you want to have a glimpse of the stunning view, you have to climb up a stone staircase that extends from Arakura Fuji Sengen Shrine to the Chureito Pagoda. This stone staircase has 398 steps and is called "Sakuya Hime Stairs". It is recommended that you wear shoes that make it easy to climb the steps.
●Oshino Hakkai: The Only Place Where You Can See Winter Cherry Blossoms and Red Leaves
Best Viewing Time: March 30 1- April 3
Address: Shibokusa, Oshino, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi 401-0511, Japan
Opening Hours: Open 24 hours
Tel: +81 555-84-4222
Located between the southeast side of Lake Kawaguchiko and Lake Yamanaka, this popular scenic spot takes its name from the eight ponds formed in Oshino Village by the melting snow of Mount Fuji. The snow water is extremely clear as it flows under the ground and is naturally filtered for decades before gushing out. Oshino Hakkai is famous and many tourists will go there for the best cherry blossom viewing in Japan. It is recommended to go there early, as the later it is, the more crowded it will be, and taking photos of Mt. Fuji in the morning will be softer as it's smooth light. There is no entrance fee and it is one of the most recommended attractions for Japanese Fuji Sakura season.
●Fuji-Q Highland: to Admire Mount Fuji Sakura on a Roller Coaster
Best Viewing Time: April 1- April 5
Address: 5 Chome-6-1 Shinnishihara, Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi 403-0017, Japan
Opening Hours: 09:00 - 17:00
For those who like thrill rides, you can schedule 1 more day to experience the "horrifying" Fuji-Q Highland. Fuji-Q Highland has gathered a number of giant thrilling roller coasters. When the roller coaster slowly climbs to the highest point, the beautiful view of Mt. Fuji appears in front of your eyes, allowing you to briefly take a break from the extremely tense mood, and then the next second's rapid fall causes even more screams, which is the most stimulating way to view Mt. Fuji’s cherry blossoms.
●Stairway Town: One of the Best Places to Shoot Mount Fuji
When you come down from Asama Shrine, you can open Google Map and find "Hikawa Clock Shop", and then you can walk for about 20 minutes to reach the town, which is one of the most beautiful places to take photos of Mt. Fuji. There are not many pedestrians on the street, and at the end of the street is the snow-capped Fuji Mountain, which is so beautiful against the backdrop of Japan spring flowers that you even don’t know how to describe the amazing scene.
4. Must-see Sights in Lake Kawaguchiko at 2024 Sakura Time
When it comes to the Mt. Fuji tour, the "Five Lakes" area, which consists of five lakes at the foot of the northern side of the mountain, is the best place to see the mountain. Among them, Lake Kawaguchi is the most conveniently located, has the best surrounding facilities, and is the most popular spot for Japan Sakura viewing in Mt. Fuji cherry blossom season. Here are some attractions you cannot miss in Lake Kawaguchiko in Sakura month in Japan. If you are not in a hurry, highly recommend you stay overnight at a Fujikawaguchiko hotel, from where you can enjoy the stunning view of Mt. Fuji while soaking in the best onsen in Kawaguchiko.
●Kawaguchiko Museum of Art: An Art Museum Themed on Mount Fuji
Address: 3170 Kawaguchi, Fujikawaguchiko, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi 401-0304, Japan
Opening Hours: 9:00-16:30
Tel: +81 555-73-8666
Transportation: Take the Fujikyu Bus and get off at the 14 Kawaguchiko Museum of Art stop, then walk or ride to the museum.
The Kawaguchiko Museum of Art mainly displays artworks based on the theme of Mount Fuji, and the large lawn in front of the museum and the café inside are good places to take a break while appreciating the beauty of the cherry blossom of Mount Fuji. Enjoying Mt. Fuji's splendor in the museum and seeing Mt. Fuji in front of you as you walk out of the museum gives this small but beautiful museum the ultimate romantic feeling.
●Kawaguchiko Tenjozan Park: Enjoy All-around View of Mt.Fuji at Sakura Season
Address: 1163-1 Azagawa, Fujikawaguchiko, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi 401-0303, Japan
Tenjozan Ropeway Fee: 720 yen/adult, 360 yen/child
Opening Hours: 9:00-7:10
Tel: +81 555-72-3168
Transportation: Take a bus and get off at the ropeway entrance stop to reach the Tenjiyama Ropeway
In Kansai's Nara, Mount Wakakusayama is the essence of Cherry Blossom Viewing in Nara as you can enjoy the beautiful view of Nara City, with Kasuga Taisha to the south, the ruins of the Kofu Temple and Heijo Palace below. When it comes to the Mt. Fuji, the observation deck of Kawaguchiko Tenjozan Park offers an excellent view of Mount Fuji. Visitors can take the Kawaguchiko Fuji Panorama Ropeway up the mountain, which takes about three minutes to reach the observation deck. If your energy allows, you can also hike up the mountain, which takes about 40 minutes each way, and you can see the Dazaiji Literary Monument on the way. When you arrive at the observation deck, you can take a photo with the view of Mt. Fuji and the Japanese Sakura cherry blossom tree and ring the heavenly bell to pray for happiness.
●Kawaguchiko Natural Living Center: Perfect Place to View Mt. Fuji's Sunset
Address: 2585 Oishi, 富士河口湖町 Fujikawaguchiko, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi 401-0305, Japan
Opening Hours: 9:00 to 18:00 from April to October; 9:00 to 17:30 from November to March
Admission: Free
Tel: +81 555-76-8230
Transportation: Take the Fujikyu Bus and get off at 20 Kawaguchiko Natural Life Center stop
In this area, there is a blueberry orchard where you can try fresh blueberries and a café where you can sit and enjoy the scenery of the Hanami in Mt. Fuji. And Oishi Park, which is popular with many tourists, is also in this area. Oishi Park is also home to the Shibazakura Festival in spring and summer, where rose-pink flowers and Mt. Fuji form a picture-perfect scene. There are lavender in summer and dirty-pink clumps broom grass in fall. It is also an excellent location for photographing Kawaguchiko Sakura and is suitable for enjoying Mt. Fuji's sunset.
●Kawaguchiko Music Forest Museum: A Romantic Rose Garden with Delicate Hachibakushi-show
Address: 3077-20 Kawaguchi, Fujikawaguchiko, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi 401-0304, Japan
Opening Hours: 9:30-17:30
Tel: +81 555-20-4111
Admission: 1,800 yen/adult on weekdays, 2,100 yen/adult on weekends, 2,300 yen during peak season
Transportation: Take the Fujikyu Bus and get off at the 15 Music and Forest Art Museum stop
It's a small courtyard by the lake modeled after the Alpine region, with rustic European-style architecture and a garden full of flowers that's perfect for taking photos if you want to explore more charm of the Japanese flowers in season except the Japan Sakura. In addition to the courtyard, its pavilion houses a number of elaborate musical instruments and an oversized dancing organ. You can also enjoy wonderful music concerts here while enjoying the Fuji Kawaguchiko cherry blossom festival. The rose garden in the atrium is dreamy and romantic for taking photos for any nature tour in Japan, and on a good day, you can look out over Mt. Fuji here. The souvenir store offers creative and exquisite souvenirs that feature Mt. Fuji.
5. Sakura Viewing Places in Mount Fuji Neighborhood
For Mt. Fuji cherry blossom viewing, many people choose 1-day trip to Mt. Fuji, but if you have enough time, you may also want to consider extending your Mt. Fuji trip to the surrounding areas as there are quite a few other worthwhile places to explore more of the beauty of Mt. Fuji's cherry blossoms, and these are also excellent viewing places among all the Japanese Cherry Blossom Spots to avoid crowds during the Japan Sakura Tour.
●Mount Fuji Sakura in Aomori: Beautiful Cherry Blossom Tunnel to Enjoy the Sakura in Japan
Access: About 40 minutes by municipal bus from JR Hirosaki Station and get off at the "Komoriyama Entrance".
Have you ever seen a picture of Mt. Fuji and cherry blossoms in the same frame? What if it's Mt. Fuji in Aomori Prefecture? Aomori Prefecture has its own Mt. Fuji. The first thing that comes to mind when you go to Aomori Prefecture for cherry blossom viewing is the romantic beauty of Hirosaki Park, but I would like to recommend another secret viewing spot for Aomori Sakura: the Iwaki area in the western part of Hirosaki City, which is popularly known by the nickname "Tsugaru Fuji".
In the town at the foot of Mount Iwaki, there is a cherry blossom viewing spot called " World's No.1 Cherry Blossom Road" 世界一の桉并木 where cherry blossoms bloom from the end of April to the beginning of May every year. The view of 6,500 cherry blossoms trees in full bloom along the 20-kilometer-long prefectural road is so spectacular that you can't help but press the shutter to capture every moment. This Sakura Hanami spot is now one of Aomori's most famous sightseeing spots.
The cherry blossom avenue extends at the foot of Mt. Iwaki at an altitude of 200-450m, so the maximum difference in altitude is 250m, and you can see the stunning view from the depths of the cherry blossom avenue here. At the end of the Cherry Blossom Avenue, 枯木平桜並木 is the best area to view Sakura in early May, and because it is located at the end of the avenue, you can take pictures of the magnificent view of Mt. Iwaki from this location. On a sunny day, you can also see a breathtaking view of the mountain, which is very impressive.
The Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival held in Hirosaki Park where Hirosaki Castle is located is the most famous cherry blossom festival in Hirosaki cherry blossom season, but the cherry blossoms of the "World's No.1 Cherry Blossom Road"世界一の桉并木 is also stunning. In the past, the cherry blossoms bloomed early in the city, but if you have the right timing, you may be able to enjoy them in both places during your trip. If you are able to enjoy both, don't forget to take pictures of the cherry blossoms in both areas and enjoy the Japanese Onsen in the Iwaki area and Iwakiyama Shrine together, making this an in-depth tour of Hirosaki while exploring Mt. Fuji.
●Mount Fuji Sakura in Izu-Kōgen: 3-kilometer-long Cherry Blossoms Tunnel to Stroll around
Address: Yawatano, Itō, Shizuoka 413-0232, Japan
Opening Hours: Open 24 hours
Izu Kogen Station's Izukogen cherry trees is a popular cherry blossoms tunnel in Shizuoka, and it is especially romantic to walk along the 3-kilometer road which is lined with 550~600 pink cherry blossoms trees. In late March when it is the best time for Sakura viewing in Japan, the road turns all pink. When the wind blows, light pink cherry blossoms fall and the ground is covered with cherry blossom snow, making the ground look like a pink carpet of cherry blossoms.
●Mount Fuji Sakura in Shizuoka: Iyashi no Sato to Admire the Best Japanese Cherry Trees
Mt. Omuro is known as "Matcha Mountain", and at the foot of which is Iyashi no Sato, is highly recommended for Shizuoka cherry blossom viewing in the Mount Fuji tour. There are 1,500 cherry Sakura trees and 40 varieties of Japanese cherry blossom types in Iyashi no Sato, including Izu Cherry Blossom, Someiyoshino Cherry Blossom, Yae Cherry Blossom, and even Taiwan Himura Cherry Blossom, so you can see cherry blossoms from Januray to May. The full Sakura blooming time of the cherry blossom season is still in March, which attracts many cherry blossom lovers who come here to admire cherry blossoms.
6. How to Easily Get a 1-day Trip to Mt. Fuji during Cherry Blossom Season
When Sakura in Tokyo has drifted into a pink dreamscape, and Fuji Kawaguchiko cherry blossom festival is at its peak. There is a direct line from Tokyo to Mt. Fuji! Japan Railways JR offers a direct train from Shinjuku to Mt. Fuji Kawaguchiko, the Fuji Excursion, which saves passengers 30 minutes each way. On this train, you can arrive at the bottom of Mt. Fuji in 2 hours without changing trains, making it an easy 1-day trip to enjoy the Mount Fuji Japan cherry blossom. Here is the transportation guide for Tokyo direct to Mt. Fuji.
How do I get on the train?
The departure station is Shinjuku Station. In fact, this is not a new line built specifically for Tokyo-Fuji. Instead, the JR Chuo Line section is connected to the JR Fujikyu Line section, so that you no longer need to get off the train and change trains. If you are traveling in Tokyo, you can simply leave from Shinjuku.
Where should I get off?
First, let's look at the relationship between these three stations. They are not far from each other, but each one has different things to do and features:
Mt. Fuji Station
This is a place you would basically never visit on a 1-day Mt. Fuji trip, as this is a transportation hub and the center of the nearby town. If you're staying in the area, consider the area around Mt. Fuji Station, where there are a number of hotels with good views of Mt. Fuji.
Fuji-Q Highland Station
This amusement park is famous for its many exciting roller coasters, and its super scary haunted house is also a major selling point. Fans of amusement parks, haunted houses, and roller coasters should not miss this place.
Kawaguchiko Station
This is the most popular destination for regular Mt. Fuji tourists which offers a spectacular view of the Fuji Mountain and Kawaguchiko cherry blossom, as well as a number of hot spring hotels with Japanese-style lake and Mt. Fuji views. If you choose to visit Mt. Fuji in a day during the Sakura season by taking the Fuji Excursion, be sure to get off at this station.
How to read the schedule?
The timetable for the Fuji Excursion is designed entirely for a 1-day trip to Mt. Fuji from Tokyo! There are 2 departures per day from Tokyo, namely "Fuji Excursion 1" and "Fuji Excursion 3", both in the morning, to ensure that visitors arrive at Mt. Fuji before noon.
There are also 2 trains returning from Kawaguchiko to Tokyo, namely "Fuji Excursion 16" and "Fuji Excursion 20", both in the afternoon, with the earliest departure at 3:05 p.m. The two trains return to Tokyo at 16:58 p.m. and 19:27 p.m. respectively.
Departure Time from Tokyo
Departures from Shinjuku Station are at 8:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m., with a total of 8 stops, and arrivals at Kawaguchiko are at 10:22 a.m. and 11:22 a.m. respectively.
Return Time from Kawaguchiko
Departures from Kawaguchiko Station are at 15:05 p.m. and 17:38 p.m., and arrivals in Shinjuku are at 16:58 p.m. and 19:27 p.m.
Note: There is a 1–2-minute difference between departure times at some stations on weekdays and weekends, so be sure to check the times as they are very accurate in Japanese transportation.
Here are more cherry blossom tour ideas for your reference, which will include Tokyo and Mt. Fuji in the itinerary:
>>>2-Week Japan Cherry Blossom Tours Ideas
>>>1-Week Japan Cherry Blossom Tours Ideas
7. Focus on Mt. Fuji Shibazakura Matsuri
When the Mt. Fuji Japan cherry blossom is fading, the Mount Fuji Shibazakura is in full bloom, and at a glance, you can't help but marvel at the fact that there is such a wonderful sight in this world, and it's really heartbreakingly beautiful! Shibazakura is for those of you who miss the Sakura time in Japan.
Shibazakura is not cherry blossoms, and it is a kind of perennial species of the genus Oleander with different colors of red, white, purple, and other flower colors. It features a diameter of about 1.5 centimeters. Because the flower shape is similar to the Japanese cherry blossom flower, the bloom height is not high, and it is growing densely close to the ground, like a lawn, so it is called Shibazakura (Shiba in Japanese means grass).
The Mt. Fuji Shibazakura Festival, selected by CNN as one of the 31 most beautiful places in Japan, is the largest Shibazakura season in Japan and is held in mid to late April every year, culminating in May. The scene of the pink Shibazakura spreading out like a carpet, accompanied by the peak of Mt. Fuji and the green grassland, makes Mt. Fuji Shibazakura an unforgettable place to visit and an excellent alternative to Mt. Fuji cherry blossoms viewing for Japan spring tour.
Mt. Fuji Shibazakura Festival is generally held from April 15 to May 28, and a total of seven kinds of Shibazakura debut from white to light pink, to peach color to deep pink as if it was a big pink flower carpet, and the majestic Mt. Fuji complements each other to make the mountain more sacred and the flower more beautiful. Please make sure to go there on a sunny day with no clouds. If you head to Hokkaido later, you will find that there is also Shibazakura in Hokkaido.
Mt. Fuji Shibazakura Festival Info:
Location: Lake Honshu Resort, Fujikawaguchiko-machi, Nantoriu-gun, Yamanashi Prefecture (212 Honshu, Fujikawaguchiko-machi, Nantoriu-gun, Yamanashi Prefecture)
Forecasted Opening Hours: daily 8:00 – 17:00 from April 15 to May 28
Tip: This is subject to change depending on blooming conditions. There will be no breaks during this period.
Admission: 600 yen/adult; 250 yen/child up to 3 years old
Conclusion
Mt. Fuji is known as the "Sacred Mountain" by the Japanese people. During the Sakura season in Japan Fuji Mountain, you can see Mt. Fuji from a moving train, you can also see Mt. Fuji from afar at Kawaguchiko Tenjozan Park which is recognized as one of the best spots to view Mt. Fuji on the shores of Lake Kawaguchiko, you can find the most prestigious photography viewpoint to shoot Mt. Fuji and cherry blossom flower in Japan and the Chureito Pagoda together at Arakurayama Sengen Park, you can also see Mt. Fuji by the sea in Shizuoka and view Mt. Fuji by the harbor in Shimizu Port.