The best cities for spring and cherry blossom
For travelers chasing blossom, tulips or the first warm weeks. Ordered by how good the season is and how well the itinerary meets it, with the usual windows given loosely because the trees do not keep a calendar: a warm February brings Japan forward a week and a cold one pushes it back.
Late March to mid-April for Japan, April for Seoul and Vancouver, late March to mid-May for the tulips, April and May for Paris and Madrid. Taipei's blossom is earlier, in February and March.
Checked October 10, 2026. Every city links to a day-by-day itinerary with the hours and prices looked up.
- Kyoto · Japan · 3 days
Kyoto
Late March to mid-April most years, and the itinerary is already built for it: the Philosopher's Path on day 3 runs two kilometers along the canal under the cherry trees to Ginkaku-ji, and Arashiyama's riverbank and the Nijo Castle grounds are the other two. Book the Ninomaru Palace timed entry in blossom weeks. Hotels fill months ahead, so May, mild and calmer, is the fallback.
See the itinerary: 3 days in Kyoto
- Tokyo · Japan · 4 days
Tokyo
Blossom usually opens in the last week of March and holds for about ten days. Ueno Park on day 1 is the big hanami crowd; the cherry-lined Yanaka cemetery on day 4 is the quiet one, and the Imperial Palace East Gardens and Hamarikyu add moats and a teahouse. Golden Week in early May fills everything, so stay with late March or April.
See the itinerary: 4 days in Tokyo
- Osaka · Japan · 3 days
Osaka
Late March to early April for the castle park: the Nishinomaru garden is only worth its ¥300 in blossom season, with the keep rising behind the trees, and the moats are free. Be at the main tower at 9 a.m. before the groups. Nakanoshima's rose garden takes over in May.
See the itinerary: 3 days in Osaka
- Seoul · South Korea · 4 days
Seoul
April, when the cherry trees along Yeouido's riverbank bloom and the day 3 bike ride through Yeouido Hangang Park runs under them; Seoul is usually a week or two behind Tokyo. The Secret Garden tour at Changdeokgung sells out in spring, so book six days ahead at 10 a.m. Days are 50 to 68°F (10 to 20°C) and dry.
See the itinerary: 4 days in Seoul
- Vancouver · Canada · 3 days
Vancouver
The city planted some forty thousand cherry trees and they bloom from late March through April, with a festival of walks and picnics most years. The Stanley Park seawall by bike on day 1 and the Nitobe Memorial Garden at UBC on day 3 are the itinerary's blossom stops. It still rains most weeks until May, so pack a hooded shell.
See the itinerary: 3 days in Vancouver
- Amsterdam · Netherlands · 3 days
Amsterdam
Late March to mid-May for the tulips, with Keukenhof's gardens outside the city open for about eight weeks and the fields around them striped from mid-April. In town, Vondelpark on day 1 and the canal ring on day 2 are at their best in the long light. King's Day on April 27 is the crowded one; book a room early if your dates touch it.
See the itinerary: 3 days in Amsterdam
- Paris · France · 4 days
Paris
April is the month: the magnolias and cherries in the Jardin des Plantes and the Jardin du Luxembourg on day 2, then the chestnuts along the Seine by May. Giverny, Monet's garden, opens for the season in April and is the day trip to add. May, June and September are the best weather, so late April gives you both the flowers and the terraces.
See the itinerary: 4 days in Paris
- Taipei · Taiwan · 3 days
Taipei
March and April are mild and green. The Yangmingshan day trip is the blossom: cherry trees from mid-February to early March and calla lilies from mid-March to mid-April, with a park shuttle looping the sights. Check the park webcams for fog before you go; the plum rains begin in May.
See the itinerary: 3 days in Taipei
- Madrid · Spain · 3 days
Madrid
April and May are warm and clear: the Retiro's rose garden on day 1 comes into bloom in May, the almond trees of Quinta de los Molinos go in late February and early March, and the terraces fill around Las Vistillas by sunset. The Palacio de Cristal is closed for restoration until around 2027 but the park is the point. Many kitchens close for August, so spring is the better season for eating too.
See the itinerary: 3 days in Madrid
Questions
When exactly is cherry blossom in Kyoto?
Late March to mid-April most years, with full bloom usually in the first week of April. Forecasts firm up in February; book the hotel first and the dates second.
Where is spring less crowded?
Seoul and Vancouver. Japan's blossom weeks fill months ahead and Amsterdam around King's Day, while Yeouido and the Stanley Park seawall absorb a crowd.
What if I miss the bloom?
The itineraries still work. Kyoto's Philosopher's Path is green and quiet a week after the petals fall, Osaka's castle park is free all year, and Amsterdam's canals do not need the tulips.
More trips by theme
Found your city? Open it in Waystop.
Add your dates and your hotel, then ask Chat for any changes. Every place is checked on Google Maps before it goes on your day.