Plan your perfect spring trip to Japan! We are sharing the best places to see cherry blossoms in Japan and best time to see them on this Sakura Forecast 2019.

Due to higher expected temperatures in March, 2019, the cherry blossom season in 2019 is expected to arrive Japan slightly earlier than average year. Usually cherry blossoms start opening in late March to early April, reach full blooming after 5–7 days, and can be enjoyed viewing for about 1 week depending on weather condition. Last year, the cherry blossoms in most parts of Japan including Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka started 7–10 days earlier than the average year.

 3Where to See Cherry Blossoms in 2019. Here are some of best places to see cherry blossoms in Japan in 2019!
Tokyo Best Cherry Blossom Tours (Available from March 20th to April 7th only!)

Tokyo: Cherry Blossom Shinjuku Gyoen, Meguro River, Chidorigafuchi, Ueno Park, Sumida River, Top 12 in Tokyo, Cherry Blossoms Night Viewing Spots, Cherry Blossom Festivals in Tokyo, Cherry Blossom Viewing Restaurants, Cherry Blossom Viewing Cruises in Tokyo

Kyoto: Philosopher’s Walk, Maruyama Park, Daigoji Temple, Ninnaji Temple, Heian Shrine, Top 10 in Kyoto

Mt. Fuji:  Odawara Castle, Saitama, Kamakura, Yokohama, Mt.Akagi, Top 10 near Tokyo
Mt. Fuji: Fuji Kawaguchiko Cherry Blossom Festival, Fuji 5 Lakes, Oshino Hakkai, Fuji Shibazakura Festival
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Osaka: (Osaka Castle, Osaka Mint Bureau, Expo’70 Commemorative Park), Nara (Yoshinoyama, Tanzan Shrine)

Shikoku: Mt.Shiude

Tohoku: Hirosaki Castle, Kitakami Tenshochi, Shiroishi River, Takada Castle

Hokkaido: Hakodate, Sapporo

​Others: Onsen with cherry blossom views, Top night viewing spots, Late blooming cherry blossoms, Spring Activities with Cherry Blossoms, Best Cherry Blossom Festivals in Japan

#2019cherryblossomforecast #cherryblossom #bestcherryblossomsites #mytokyoguide #tokyobest cherryblossomsites

Yoshida Route (3,720m)

• The most popular route – Most Mountain Huts
• Views of Yamanaka Lake and Kawaguchi Lake
• 5th station at 2,305m, Separate Ascending/Descending Routes

 
Subashiri Route (3,720m)

• Forest at start of route - Connects to Yoshida route from 8th Station
• Views of Yamanaka Lake and Kawaguchi Lake
• 5th station at 1,970m, Separate Ascending/Descending Routes

 
Fujinomiya Route (3,715m)

• Shortest Route – Views of Hoei Crater from 6th Station
• Views of Pacific Ocean (Suruga Bay) Izu Peninsula  
• 5th station at 2,400m, Ascending/Descending Route are the same

 
Gotemba Route (3,715m)

• Longest Route – Sand Run - least Mountain Huts
• Views of Gotemba City, Gotemba Golf Courses
• 5th station at 1,440m, Separate Ascending/Descending Routes

Ok now for "My Two Cents" as a Mt. Fuji Guide:

The Fujinomiya Ascending Route:
For me personally I enjoy the Fujinomiya Ascending route the best, as this trail skips all those zigzagging loose gravel lallygagging trails and gets strait to the bones of the climb, from the 6th station upwards it is almost a direct route to the summit.  Some may find this challenging but the fact is all the ascending climbs on Mt. Fuji are hard, however this route just gets to the hard part faster, and has less loose gravel trails and more steady rock portions that can be found on each trail. Also, the people that come to the Fujinomiya trail unlike other trails come entirely to climb Mt. Fuji so there is a pleasant mountaineering vibe and the local guides/Mountain hut staff Fujinomiya still have that local friendly camaraderie.
 
The Gotemba Descending Route:
The Gotemba Descent/Sand Run is by far the easiest descending route on Mt. Fuji – the soft sandy trails make the decent enjoyable after a long hike up, and many that still have energy actually run down this trail, (at your own risk) however as there are few mountain huts on this trail rest-room breaks are few are far between, also due to the wide-open position on that side of the mountain the Gotemba trail gets some strong wind conditions especially near the Hoei Crater.
 
The Yoshida Route:
I absolutely avoid the Yoshida route like the plague, not because of the route itself, but because of how over-crowded it has become, due to the easy access and large 5th station the Yoshida route gets the bulk of the tourist and climbers. Around 70~80% of the people who climb Mt. Fuji use this route, as well each day in the summer time up to 200 tourist buses stop at the 5th station along their Hakone/Mt. Fuji Day Tour route making the Yoshida 5th Station another Shibuya Crossing. Also, and I do not want to sound too harsh here but due to the large number of tourists SOME of the Yoshida workforce = Staff/Guides seem to lost some of their local Mt. Fuji friendless that made Mt. Fuji famous in the first place.

Trail Views & Sunrise:
Each trail offers a different view and distinctive view of the sunrise: So, this is hard to comment on as I enjoy all and really a lot depends on the weather on the day of your climb: You can see next to the route name I but the put the route summit elevation, in fact many people who climb Mt. Fuji reach the trail summit and think they have reached the summit of Mt. Fuji when in fact they have not. Mt. Fuji summit as you can see on the map is Kengamine Peak at 3776m about another 50m higher than the trail summits. So, to reach the summit you need to walk also the crater and climb to the highest point Kengamine Peak at 3776m. From here the highest point is one of my favorite Sunrise points as this overlooks the summit crater to view the sunrise.
 
The Craters – The Hoei Crater and the Summit Crater
Both these craters show the scars of Mt. Fuji and display a spectacular sight on a clear day,  The summit crater can be accessed by all the trails however the Hoei Trail can only be accessed from the Gotemba/Fujinomiya routes and you can hike right into the Hoei crater from here.

#1 Mt. Mitake (Mount Mitake)
Mt. Mitake, located about 50 kms Northeast of Shinjuku, Mt. Mitake is still considered inside the Tokyo ward.  The summit is 929 meters high and is covered with beautiful forested area with a picturesque stream, lots of moss covered stones and two nearby waterfalls. Like most mountain in Japan there is also a rope-way that takes you half-way up the mountain. It takes less than an hour to reach the summit after getting off the rope-way. Once you reach the summit you can hike another hour and reach Mt. Otake (1,267 meters).
 
Access: Mitake station from Shinjuku Station using the JR Chou Line
(Change at Ome Station to local Ome Line) Fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass

Mt. Fuji Day Tour (Open-Air Onsen). An Opportunity to experience a real traditional onsen (Hot Spring) while enjoying the beautiful Mt. Fuji scenery. This special tour includes relaxing at the open-air bath while overlooking Mt Fuji.

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​Mt. Fuji Hot Spring - Private Itinerary 

• Private Pick-up at your Hotel
• Mt. Fuji Vistor Center
• Mt. Kachi Kachi rope-way (with view of Mt. Fuji and Kawaguchi Lake)
• http://www.kachikachiyama-ropeway.com/en/
• Houdou Noodle Lunch (See Picture below)
• Sengen Mt. Fuji Shrine
• Mt. Fuji Hot Spring (Swimsuits OK) -enjoy hot spring together with your family!
• Return to your Tokyo Hotel
• Price will depend on the group size and options:
• ​Note:  *Mt. Kachi Kachi can also be hiked - add 2 hours hiking time:

Mt. Fuji Hot Spring - Group Itinerary 
- The Group Tour operates M~F
- Leaves from Shinjuku at 8:00am
- Visit Mt. Fuji 5th Station and Gotemba Outlet Mall
- Includes Japanese Style Lunch and free time to stroll around Lake Kawaguchi.
- 60 Min Hot Spring Time
- For the Group Tours Swimsuits are also not allowed.
- Yamanashi Prefecture regulations prohibit people with tattoos 

For more information on Group and Private Mt. Fuji Hot Spring Tours, see our Mt. Fuji Hot Spring Tour Page
or contact us using our Contact form

Getting to Mt. Fuji:
 
Numerous first timers to Japan often make the same mistake, assuming Mt. Fuji is easily accessible,
when in fact most do not understand the vast area Mt. Fuji actually covers and often fail to plan accordingly.
The Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is 1,227 square kilometers, larger than both the area of Singapore and Hong Kong.

There are four distinctive climbing routes on Mt. Fuji and several different ways to access these Mt. Fuji climbing routes.
 For the purpose of climbing Mt. Fuji, there are three Key Access Points:
 
1.North Mt. Fuji – Kawaguchi Lake Station Access Point:
- You get can to here by Bus or Local JR Train
- From Kawaguchi Lake Station, there are regular buses to the Yoshida Trail 5th Station
 
2. East Mt. Fuji - Gotemba Station Access Point:
- You can get here by Romance car or local JR train or Bus.
- From Gotemba Station there are climbing buses to the Gotemba and Fujinomiya 5th stations
 
3. South Mt. Fuji – Shin-Fuji Station Access Point
- This is the only area on Mt. Fuji you can access by Bullet Train
- You can get there by Bullet Train from Kyoto, Tokyo, Yokohama and Hakone (Odawara)
- From Shin-Fuji Station there are climbing buses to the Fujinomiya 5th station (Summer Only)

Tour Notes:
* Mt. Fuji climbs are available from (May to Oct)
* For more information on Mt. Fuji Climbs please Contact Us:

- Take an exciting adventure to Nagano to watch the world-famous "snow monkeys″ relaxing and soaking in the natural hot springs of the Jigokudai Yaen-Koen near the snowy Nagano mountains. Visit the National Treasure Zenko-ji Temple  which has been a place of worshipped for over 1400 years. It enshrines one of the oldest Buddha statues and the main hall is designated a national treasure. The Day Tour also visits Jigokudani Monkey Park, which is famous for its Japanese Snow Hot Springs during the winter season.

Tour includes the following:
- Return Bullet Train Tickets from Tokyo
- Japanese Soba Lunch 
- English Speaking Guide
- Jigokudani Monkey Park entrance fees
- Transportation to/from Nagano Station to Jigokudani Monkey Park ​

See Itinerary below:
Until day prior to tour 
Depart from Tokyo Station or Ueno Station 
Arrive at Nagano Station 
Depart from Nagano Station 
Visit Zenko-ji Temple 
Local Noodle Lunch 
Depart from Zenkoji Station 
Arrive at Roman Museum Parking Lot 
Depart from Parking Lot 
Jigokudani Monkey Park 
Depart from Jigokudani Monkey Park 
Depart from Roman Museum Parking Lot 
Arrive at Nagano Station 
Depart from Nagano Station 
Arrive at Tokyo Station 

Tour Notes:
* Minimum of 2 Participants required:
* Operated on selected dates only: (Dates from Nov to April)
For more information on Snow Monkey Tours please Contact Us:

Conquering Mt. Fuji is at the top of many people’s bucket lists and with the climbing season only a few months away, it is not too early to begin planning for your 2019 Mt. Fuji climb. Planning ahead will help you make the right choices and there are several key points to consider when planning your Mt. Fuji climb:

• When to Climb?
• Which Route to Climb?
• Guided Tour or Self Climb?
• What equipment do I need to climb Mt. Fuji?
• What is the best way to access Mt. Fuji?
• Should I stay at a Mountain Hut or Not?

​A good start when planning your climb to tackling Japan’s most iconic mountain is purchasing the latest edition of the Climbing Mt. Fuji Guidebook.