Sakura Season Is Back in Japan, China and South Korea

Sakura season is approaching. Are you headed to Japan to enjoy the beautiful sights of these blossoming trees? Skyscanner shares locations you have to visit besides Tokyo, Osaka and Sapporo which are often overcrowded and more expensive to visit. Skyscanner’s guide to Japan’s Sakura hot spots and hidden gems feature Sapporo, Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, Hiroshima and Kagoshima.

And you also enjoy savings compared to Tokyo when you head to Hiroshima (48%), Kagoshima (25%), Sapporo (9%), Osaka (3%). Fukuoka is 0.3% more expensive than going to Tokyo. Last minute Sakura fares based on last year’s average were S$628 to Hiroshima, S$901 to Kagoshima, S$1,098 to Sapporo, S$1,160 to Osaka, S$1,202 to Tokyo and S$1,206 to Fukuoka.

7 April to 10 April

Sakura spot	Hotel price ranges (SGD)*
Hiroshima	$106 –$364
Kagoshima	$64 – $262
Sapporo	$82 – $628
Osaka	$60 – $1,263
Tokyo	$73 – $1,206
Fukuoka	$97 – $1,008
* The hotel room price ranges are prices per night for 1 guest . The accommodation dates are over the second weekend of April, from 7 April to 10 April 2017. Prices are based on actual hotel prices available on Skyscanner at the time of publishing.

13 April to 16 April

Sakura spot	Hotel price ranges (SGD)*
Hiroshima	$114 –$871
Kagoshima	$70 – $300
Sapporo	$78 – $260
Osaka	$40 – $1,046
Tokyo	$74 – $1,206
Fukuoka	$97 – $1,225
* The hotel room price ranges are prices per night for 1 guest . The accommodation dates are over the third weekend of April, from 13 April to 16 April 2017. Prices are based on actual hotel prices available on Skyscanner at the time of publishing.

HomeAway is recommending you other Sakura sites such as Korea or Taiwan. It is offering an 8% discount on accommodations with the promo code SAKURA17. Expedia’s alternative to Airbnb features apartments or rooms from S$60 and above per night.

Hangzhou Cherry Blossom Cultural Festival

Liangzhu Center of Arts at Liangzhu Culture Village, Hangzhou
(Hangzhou Tourism Commission photo)

Hangzhou, the home to tea and silk, scenic nature and profound Chinese culture as well as host of G20 summit, opens this year’s Cherry Blossom cultural festival from 18 March till 16 April 2017 at the Liangzhu Culture Village on the north-west side of the city. Hangzhou is located 50 minutes from Shanghai by high-speed rail. It offers a 144-hour visa-free transit.

The art fest features more than 20 photography exhibitions, keynote speeches, live performances and fairs presented by artists, writers and craftsmen including award-winning photography Shao Dalang, nature writer Liu Ka-Shiang and play director Meng Jinghui.

“The Liangzhu Culture existed from 3400 to 2250 BC in the Yangtze River Delta reigned in central China at the time of the Egyptian pharaohs, this fleeting civilization created splendid cultural legacy chiseled in jade and passed down the ancient artisanal spirit that has coined the notion of simplicity in Hangzhou’s unique and artistic lifestyle,” said Zhao Hongzhong, deputy director of Hangzhou Tourism Commission.

For Hangzhou residents and visitors, Hangzhou will work with global museums and organisations to offer more options to explore a leisure lifestyle combining urban and historical legends by experiencing various aspects of eastern culture.

Gyeongju Cherry Blossom Festival and Marathon Kick Off in Seoul

For the first time, Gyeongju will be hosting a Cherry Blossom Festival in celebration of the many beautiful cherry blossom trees. The festival kicked off 31 March with the opening ceremony at Bomun Lakeside Stage with performances and fireworks. The Gyeongju Cherry Blossom Festival takes place in Dongbu Historic Site and Bomun Tourist Complex till 9 April 2017. The 26th annual Gyeongju Cherry Blossom Marathon took place on 1 April at Gyeongju World Culture Expo Park with over 2,000 international participants from 40 countries making up part of the 12,000 total runners.

The 26th annual Gyeongju Cherry Blossom Marathon took place on 1 April at Gyeongju World Culture Expo Park with over 2,000 international participants from 40 countries making up part of the 12,000 total runners.

Hangang River Relay Spring Flower Festival in Seoul

Seoraeseom Island canola field (left) / Ttukseom Rose Garden (right) (Credit: Seoul Metropolitan Government Hangang Facilities Managemen

The area around Hangang Park will be blooming with different types of flowers from 1 April to 21 May 2017. The Hangang River Spring Flower Festival will be divided into different events in a relay syle during the blooming period of six different types of flora:

The Eungbongsan Forsythia Festival takes place from 31 March to 2 April 2017
The Yeouido Spring Blossom Festival takes place from 1 to 9 April 2017 where King Cherry Blossoms decorate the Yeouisero-ro
Enjoy a spring picnic at 20,000 sqm Jamwon Hangang Park’s Honeybee Forest
Seoraeseom Canola Festival takes place from 13 to 15 May on Seoraeseom Island in Banpo Hangang Park
Enjoy beautiful wild white rose blossoms at Gangseo and Godeokamsa Eco-park during the Hangang Wild Rose Festival in mid May
Snap gorgeous photos of the romantic rose blossoms at Ttukseom and Yanghwa Hangang Park’s Rose Garden and brand-new Rose Tunnels of Yeouido & Mangwon areas.