Cherry blossom season lasts about two weeks. Miss the timing by a few days and it’s gone for the year. Getting hanami right means knowing where to go, when to show up, and what to bring. This guide covers everything you need to make it memorable. When Is Cherry Blossom Season? Cherry blossom timing varies by year and location. The Japan Meteorological Corporation releases an annual sakura forecast in January. ...
Japan’s spring pollen season is one of the worst in the world, and it affects up to 40% of the population. Many foreigners arrive with no history of allergies and develop symptoms within their first spring here. Here’s how to manage it. Japan’s Pollen Calendar Month Pollen Type Severity February Cedar (スギ) begins Moderate March Cedar peak + Cypress (ヒノキ) starts Very high April Cypress peak Very high May Grass pollen Moderate June–January Minimal pollen Low The worst months are March and April. In bad years, pollen counts can be 10x higher than usual. ...