Japan’s cherry blossom season is expected to arrive slightly earlier than usual in 2026, following a mild winter punctuated by cold snaps. According to forecasts by the Japan Meteorological Corporation and Weather Map, cities such as Kyoto and Tokyo could see first blooms in the second half of March, with full bloom about a week later. Northern regions from Tōhoku to Aomori are projected to reach their peak in early to mid-April.
To help travellers make the most of the season, Hoshino Resorts has curated a collection of sakura-themed stays across Japan, pairing prime blossom viewing spots with local cuisine, traditional crafts and hot spring experiences.
Riverside Hanami at HOSHINOYA Kyoto
Hanami forecast: Late March to Early April
Located in the quieter reaches of Arashiyama, about a kilometre upriver from Togetsukyō Bridge, HOSHINOYA Kyoto offers a tranquil alternative to the district’s bustling blossom crowds. Every room overlooks the Ōi River, with sweeping views of cherry trees lining the banks and wooded hills beyond.
One party per night enjoys exclusive access to three private viewing spots on the property. Evenings unfold on the Hanazakura Terrace beneath illuminated weeping cherry trees, where guests dine on seasonal dishes such as cherry sea bream sashimi, clam soup with white miso and bamboo shoot rice.
The experience continues the next morning with sakura tea in a floating tea room above the river, followed by a private breakfast cruise aboard the houseboat Hisui through the scenic Ran-kyō Gorge, a serene way to admire blossoms framed by traditional Kyoto craftsmanship.
Lantern-Lit Blossoms at KAI Tsugaru
Hanami forecast: Early to Mid-April
In Aomori’s Tsugaru region, cherry blossoms arrive later, offering travellers a chance to extend their sakura season. KAI Tsugaru in Ōwani’s highlands presents the “Harumachi Sakura Lantern Terrace” from 14 March to 14 April 2026.
The Tsugaru Four Seasons Water Garden is illuminated with lanterns crafted from Tsugaru Vidro glass and Kanayama-yaki pottery, creating a soft glow known as hana akari, the ethereal light cast by blossoms at twilight. Floating lamps drift across ponds while pathways highlight the first signs of spring growth.
Guests can savour a Snow Thaw amuse bouche featuring yukimuro apples traditionally stored under snow, paired with chilled soup and hot cider served in handcrafted glassware, blending local produce, craftsmanship and night-time hanami in one immersive experience.
Indoor Blossom Festival at Aomoriya
Hanami forecast: Mid-April
For those wary of unpredictable spring weather, Aomoriya in Misawa offers an indoor alternative. From 4 March to 31 May 2026, the property hosts the “Tange Hanasaka Matsuri” (Great Blossom Festival), extending the hanami spirit even after petals have fallen outdoors.
A corridor adorned with Nanbu sakiori textiles and Tsugaru Vidro glass leads to a grand hall where a three-metre-tall Nebuta festival figure stands surrounded by over 200 lanterns shaped like apple blossoms, a tribute to Aomori’s famed apple harvests.
Guests can sample a limited-edition Spring Bouquet Crepe made with local apples and cassis, pick up blossom-themed rice cracker fortunes, and unwind in an onsen beneath illuminated cherry trees and floating lamps.
Open-Top Sakura Tours at KAI Anjin and KAI Ito
Hanami forecast: Late March to Early April
On the Izu Peninsula, KAI Anjin and KAI Ito in Ito City are launching a “Sakura Open Bus Tour” from 27 March to 7 April 2026. The three-hour excursion takes guests on an open-top bus to Sakura no Sato near Mount Ōmuro, home to 1,500 trees spanning 40 cherry varieties.
The route passes through Umenokitaira, where branches hang close to the upper deck, before arriving at the expansive park known for Somei Yoshino, Kawazu-zakura and Ito-zakura blossoms. KAI staff serve as guides, explaining local geography and the differences between cultivars.
Guests can pre-order special hanami bento boxes, either seafood chirashi or a sandwich selection with soft-serve ice cream, to enjoy beneath the blossoms. Afterward, they can return to their ryokan for restorative soaks in coastal hot springs, complemented by seasonal cherry-themed drinks in the lounge.
Riverside Serenity at KAI Kinugawa
Hanami forecast: Late March to Early April
In Tochigi Prefecture’s Kinugawa Onsen, KAI Kinugawa offers a more understated, on-site hanami experience. Overlooking the Kinugawa River gorge, the ryokan allows guests to admire blossoms from terraces and communal lounges illuminated in the evening.
Seasonal kaiseki dinners highlight local mountain vegetables and river fish, while guided walks explore quieter riverside viewing spots and the history of Kinugawa as an early 20th-century onsen retreat for Tokyo residents.
