Spring is once again approaching in stride, with the first cherry blossoms forecast to open in Tokyo in a little over a week! Can you believe it? If you’re looking for inspiration regarding where to go to enjoy this amazing time of year, here is a collection of our favourite moments from the last two springs (plus a bonus of early blooming sakura photographed about one month ago!). And if you can’t get enough of this, you can also check out our recommendations for hanami spots in Kyoto, and our first impressions of spring in Tokyo from three years ago. Time flies when you’re having fun, they say!

Kawazu-zakura, an early blooming variety of cherry trees originating from Kawazu in the Izu peninsula, typically in full bloom around the end of February and much more colorful than the usual Yoshino cherry flowers. The bokeh effect is given by sun ray reflecting off of the surface of the river below.