🌸 Hanami calendar: sakura blooming season in 6 countries

Early April seems like the only time for cherry blossoms. That's not true. In Thailand, the trees start blooming in late December, and in Brazil the pink canopies appear in July. Hanami stretches across almost ten months if you know where to go.

We've put together six destinations in Japan, the US, Brazil, Ireland, Thailand, and Australia. For each one, we've listed the season, specific parks, and the reason to go there. In Washington, the cherry trees were a gift from the mayor of Tokyo, and ever since they've defined spring in the American capital.

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When cherry blossoms bloom: a calendar by country

💡 In short:

The season opens in northern Thailand in late December and closes in Australia in October.
The peak doesn't last long, so build some buffer into your travel dates.
Peak bloom dates: verified on 09/13/2026 on the official NPS website and the Hirosaki tourism office site.

Country	Region	When it blooms
Thailand	Chiang Mai	late December - February
Japan	Hirosaki, Kochi	late March - early May
USA	Washington	late March - mid-April
Ireland	Dublin	April - May
Brazil	São Paulo	July - August
Australia	Cowra	September - October

The schedule depends on the hemisphere and elevation. In the tropics, the trees bloom during the local winter, in Japan and the US in spring, and in Brazil and Australia during their cooler months. Use the table as a guide, and look for date-picking tips in the section below.

If you're going for peak bloom, book early. Hotels near the parks in Washington and Tokyo sell out months in advance, so pick your dates first, then your accommodation. In the low season, the same room will cost less, but you'll miss some of the blossoms.

1. Japan

Hirosaki Castle tower in spring with cherry blossoms

Japan sets the standard for hanami. Here, cherry blossoms get festivals, souvenirs, and even seasonal dishes, and locals plan their vacations around the bloom. But the famous trees don't only grow in Tokyo and Kyoto: up north, in Aomori Prefecture, the season shifts to late April, and that's where you'll find the country's most spectacular scenery.

The main stop on the route: Hirosaki Park. Around 2,600 trees of 52 varieties grow around the castle, and the castle itself was founded in the early 17th century (as of 09/2026, Hirosaki tourism office). In spring, the moats turn into a pink corridor: petals fall onto the water and hold in a dense layer. Rent a boat to see it from the water without the crowds on the shore.

The second destination is on the island of Shikoku. Kochi Castle stands in the city center, and less than an hour's drive away is Nishigawa Park. There, rapeseed blooms alongside the cherry blossoms, and the pink field sits next to a yellow one. You rarely see that kind of contrast on postcards, which makes it memorable.

When: late March - early May, later in the north.
Where to see it: Hirosaki Park and Kochi Castle with Nishigawa Park.
Who it's for: people willing to push their vacation to May for northern Japan.
Hotels nearby: check prices on Trip.com

2. Washington, USA

Tidal Basin with cherry blossoms and the Washington Monument

Washington received more than 3,000 cherry trees in 1912 as a gift from the mayor of Tokyo (as of 09/2026, washington.org). The National Cherry Blossom Festival lasts about four weeks: in 2026 it ran from March 20 to April 12, and the peak fell in the last days of March (as of 09/2026, US National Park Service).

The most convenient place to see the trees is around the Tidal Basin, where they frame the Roosevelt and Jefferson memorials. The pink canopies soften the strict architecture and take the formal edge off the main landmarks. Come at dawn: by ten in the morning, the waterfront is already packed.

The line for photos at the White House and the Capitol during the season pales next to what happens at the basin. If you want a shot without strangers in it, pick a weekday and a spot on the east shore. From downtown, you can walk to the Tidal Basin or take the metro to the Smithsonian station.

Americans call this period cherry blossom, and it has long been the city's main spring celebration. The festival program includes concerts, tours, and boat rides on the basin. Leave your car at the hotel: at peak bloom, parking near the waterfront is nearly impossible, and walking will get you there faster.

When: late March to mid-April, the peak is short.
Where to see it: Tidal Basin and the Roosevelt and Jefferson memorials.
Who it's for: for those who want to combine the blossoms with sightseeing in the US capital.
The catch: at peak bloom the pond area is crowded even in the morning.
Hotels nearby: find a hotel on Trip.com

3. São Paulo, Brazil

São Paulo is home to one of the largest Japanese communities in the world. Early 20th-century immigrants brought not only their belongings but also cherry tree saplings, which is why the city is second only to Japan in the number of cherry trees. Not even Washington could outpace São Paulo.

The main hanami spot in the city is Parque do Carmo. In July and August, the walkways turn into pink tunnels, and families come here for the whole day. The blossom festival takes place right in the park: stages, Japanese food, dancing, and drums. Events usually kick off in late July, so plan your trip for that period.

When: July to August, in the middle of the Brazilian winter.
Where to see it: Parque do Carmo and the city blossom festival.
Who it's for: for those traveling to Brazil who want to add Japanese culture to their itinerary.
Hotels nearby: prices on Trip.com

4. Dublin, Ireland

Panorama of Dublin from the River Liffey and the Harp Bridge

Cherry blossoms in Dublin didn't arrive as a gift or through the efforts of immigrants. In the middle of the last century, residents planted cherry trees all over the city center themselves because they had grown fond of them. Some saplings were later relocated: not every spot suited the roots, and the authorities found better locations for the plants.

The best spots for a walk: Trinity College, Herbert Park, St. Stephen's Green, and the National Botanic Gardens. If you have a free day, take a trip to Kildare, to the Irish National Stud. The stud farm has been operating for over a century, and its gardens are home to Japanese cherry trees you definitely won't miss.

Thanks to the mild climate, the season here is stretched out. The first flowers can appear as early as March, with the main wave arriving in April and May. Bring an umbrella: Irish weather changes quickly, but rain doesn't get in the way of the blossoms.

When: April to May, sometimes from March.
Where to see it: Trinity College, Herbert Park, St. Stephen's Green, National Botanic Gardens, Irish National Stud.
Who it's for: for a short weekend trip from Europe.
Hotels nearby: compare hotels on Trip.com

5. Chiang Mai, Thailand

Two pagodas and a garden on Doi Inthanon

Thailand is prized for its warm sea and mild winter, but few people know that cherry blossoms bloom here too. We're talking about trees that grow in the mountains around Chiang Mai. The trees bloom in the cool mountains, and the season starts earlier than anywhere else in the world: as early as the last days of December.

In January and February, the blossoms reach their peak. In the mountains to the north, the air is cooler, and the area is crisscrossed with walking trails and mountain roads. You'll find yourself in a landscape that bears little resemblance to beach Thailand.

In February, a blossom festival that is already several decades old takes place here. Over three days, you'll have time to see exhibitions, try local food, and watch a street parade with flower floats.

When: late December to February.
Where to see it: mountain roads and viewpoints around Chiang Mai.
Who it's for: for winter sun and those who have already seen the country's beaches.
Hotels nearby: see options on Trip.com

6. Cowra, Australia

Japanese garden with a pond and flowering trees

If fall is approaching and you still haven't seen cherry blossoms, buy a ticket to Australia. In the town of Cowra in New South Wales, blooming happens in September and October, and the local Japanese garden could easily pass for a corner of Japan.

Every year the town hosts the Sakura Matsuri festival, celebrating the start of spring and Japanese culture. The program includes taiko drumming, traditional dance, sumo, and a tea ceremony. A craft market runs nearby where you can buy work by local artisans.

Come in early September and you'll be enjoying the pink blossoms for about a month. Walk deeper into the garden: apricots, plums, and magnolias bloom there, opening one after another.

When: September to October.
Where to see it: the Japanese garden and the Sakura Matsuri festival.
Who it's for: for a trip to Australia in the spring months.
Hotels nearby: book a hotel on Trip.com

How to pick your travel dates

Bloom dates shift every year. A warm winter speeds up bud opening, while late frosts push the peak back by a week or more. Keep an eye on tourism office forecasts: they're updated from late winter onward and give you a rough window.

Plan your trip with a few days of buffer. The peak doesn't last long, and if you arrive for exactly one date, you risk seeing trees that are already losing their petals. Book tickets you can change and choose accommodation with free cancellation.

Pick a hemisphere that fits your vacation. In spring, Japan, the US, and Ireland work well; in winter, Thailand; in summer, Brazil; and in fall, Australia. That way you can see cherry blossoms in any season of the year.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

When does cherry blossom season in Japan happen?

Usually from late March to early May. In Tokyo and Kyoto the peak falls in the first half of April, while in the north, in Hirosaki, blooming shifts to late April and lasts into the first days of May.

Where can you see cherry blossoms in winter?

In northern Thailand. In the mountains around Chiang Mai, trees start blooming in the last days of December, with the peak in January and February. The same area hosts a bloom festival in February with exhibitions and a street parade. The warm weather makes it easy to combine the trip with a beach holiday in the south of the country.

Why do bloom dates change every year?

It all comes down to winter temperatures and spring weather. A warm winter moves blooming earlier, while frosts push it back by a week or more. The peak lasts less than two weeks, so plan your dates with some buffer and check the forecast before you fly.

Can you see cherry blossoms in summer?

Yes, in Brazil. In São Paulo the season falls in July and August, in the middle of the local winter. Cowra in Australia blooms later, in September and October. In almost any month, cherry blossoms are blooming somewhere, so you just need to pick the right hemisphere and fit your vacation around it.

Is Washington worth a trip for cherry blossoms?

Yes, if you also want a city itinerary. The trees frame the Tidal Basin and the memorials, and the festival runs about four weeks with concerts and tours. Keep in mind that at peak the pond area gets crowded, so the best shots happen at dawn or on a weekday.

In short: what to book

If you only have a week in April, go with Japan. If you want to combine blossoms with city sightseeing, choose Washington. For winter sun, Chiang Mai works; for summer, São Paulo; for fall, Cowra. Dublin is a good short weekend trip from Europe.

Pick a city from the list above and check the dates against the table.

Hanami at different times of the year: 6 destinations from Thailand to Australia