Sakura Season in Japan–Catch the Blossoms Away from the Crowds

They say April showers bring May flowers, but in the country known poetically as the “Land of the Rising Sun,” April is the peak time when Japan’s famous cherry blossoms, or sakura, burst to life, opening their delicate pink petals for a brief span of roughly two weeks. Another of Japan’s most iconic sights is of the often snow-capped volcano, Mount Fuji. The sweeping slopes of this dormant giant have inspired centuries of Japanese artwork, poetry, and religious pilgrimages, and for travelers wishing to get a rare glimpse of the mountain framed majestically by cherry blossoms, there’s no better place than the Fuji Five Lakes region.

Enjoying a soft serve amongst the cherry blossom trees around Mount Fuji

Cherry blossoms in full bloom over the river at Oshino Hakkai, a small village near Mt Fuji

A lake resort area sitting at the northern base of Mount Fuji, the Fuji Five Lakes region is just a few hours outside of Tokyo and is one of the best places to see the famous mountain up close, while also offering plenty of outdoor activities, cultural attractions, and of course, cherry blossoms in mid-April.

Lake Kawaguchiko is the most notable of the five lakes, and the eastern and northern shores are where you’ll be able to see cherry blossoms flowering against the backdrop of Mount Fuji. It’s also the most easily accessible by public transportation: both buses and trains from Tokyo terminate at Kawaguchiko Station, and the surrounding resort town of the same name serves as a cozy base to start exploring one of Japan’s most breathtaking landscapes.

An Escape from the Crowds

It’s no secret that overcrowding is becoming a problem in Japan, with foreign tourist numbers reaching a whopping new record of 36 million in 2024, particularly in the top cities of Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. Scroll through Instagram for long enough and you’ll come across clips of crowds moving through Kyoto’s historic alleyways packed together like sardines. Groups of tourists will be practically unavoidable while in Japan, especially during peak seasons like March and April, but the Fuji Five Lakes is still far less crowded than other destinations in the country, with off-the-beaten path landmarks that afford a more leisurely appreciation of the scenery.

Yoshino cherry blossoms begin to bloom near Mount Fuji during mid-April

One spot rather still under the radar that all nature-lovers shouldn’t miss is Oshino Hakkai, which means “the Eight Seas of Oshino,” named for the charming village where eight freshwater ponds are fed by snowmelt from Mount Fuji. Just a 20-minute bus ride from Kawaguchiko Station, here you can take a relaxing stroll alongside a lazy river bordered on both sides by rows of sakura trees, whose long branches, at peak bloom during mid-April, arch across the water to create a flowering tunnel worthy of a Ghibli film. A little further south from Oshino Hakkai is Lake Yamanakako, the largest of the five lakes and yet even more scarce of tourists. Anyone fancying a leg workout can rent the swan paddle boats available here, or else purchase birdseed to feed the real swans.

Fun for Everyone at Mount Fuji

There’s no shortage of things to do around the Fuji Five Lakes: nature enthusiasts will love the camping options along the shores of Lake Kawaguchiko and Lake Yamanakako, while adrenaline-seekers are sure to enjoy a trip to Fuji-Q Highland, a theme park filled with scream-inducing rollercoasters without the hours-long entry lines of the sort you’d find at Tokyo Disneyland (and also conveniently located just a few bus stops before Oshino Hakkai).

At Oshino Hakkai you can enjoy the view of cherry blossoms on both sides of the river

If you’re not a fan of the great outdoors, there are plenty of museums in the area showcasing aspects of Japanese culture, like the Kubota Itchiku Museum with its displays of vividly dyed kimono, or the Fujiyama Museum, a gallery devoted to paintings and illustrations of Mount Fuji. Then after a long day of adventure, consider soaking in a steamy mineral hot spring at one of the many onsen bath facilities around town, a favourite pastime of Japanese locals.

If your schedule accommodates it, staying overnight is recommended as this gives you an advantage for catching sight of Mount Fuji: early mornings (before 9am) are the best time for an unobstructed view, as clouds tend to gather around the mountaintop in the late afternoon even on clear days. So whether you’re a nature-lover looking to immerse yourself in the sweep of iconic landscapes, or a city slicker needing a breath of fresh air away from the crowds, the Fuji Five Lakes region is a fantastic juncture of traditional local culture, dramatic scenery, and diverting activities.