Japan sets February record for inbound tourists with nearly 3.5 million visitors
Japan welcomed a record 3.46 million visitors in February, a 6.4% surge despite fewer Chinese tourists due to diplomatic issues. The Lunar New Year holiday boosted numbers, with South Korea and Taiwan leading the influx. Early cherry blossom festi...
By Reuters | Updated:
Agencies
Visitors to Japan in February rose 6.4% from a year earlier to set a new record for the month, government data showed on Wednesday, despite a drop-off in Chinese tourists amid ongoing diplomatic tensions between the two countries.
Inbound visitors totalled 3.46 million last month, the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) said, while arrivals from China fell 45% to 396,400.
JNTO said the numbers were partly helped by the Lunar New Year holiday falling in February this year rather than in late January last year.
At the Kawazu Sakura Festival in eastern Japan, known for its early-blooming cherry blossoms that begin flowering in early February, the decline in Chinese tourists was notable, said Hoshi Mori, the director of the town's tourism association.
6 cherry blossom destinations to visit beyond Japan
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Japan’s cherry blossom season remains a major spring draw, but growing crowd pressure and festival cancellations in some locations are reshaping travel plans for 2026. With peak bloom windows short and access sometimes unpredictable, many travellers are looking at alternative destinations that offer striking spring blossoms with easier access and varied experiences.
Here are six destinations beyond Japan where you can plan a cherry blossom trip from late March through April.
Japan’s cherry blossom season remains a major spring draw, but growing crowd pressure and festival cancellations in some locations are reshaping travel plans for 2026. With peak bloom windows short a..
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Washington, D.C. offers one of the most established cherry blossom experiences outside Japan. The Tidal Basin area is the focal point, with bloom tracking managed by the National Park Service. Peak bloom usually falls between the last week of March and the first week of April.
The city’s infrastructure supports high visitor numbers, and travellers can combine blossom viewing with museums, monuments and waterfront walks.
Washington, D.C. offers one of the most established cherry blossom experiences outside Japan. The Tidal Basin area is the focal point, with bloom tracking managed by the National Park Service. Peak b..
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Vancouver’s cherry blossoms are spread across neighbourhoods rather than concentrated in one landmark location. The Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival typically runs from late March through mid-April.
Different varieties bloom at different times, extending the viewing window. Parks, residential streets and green spaces provide multiple viewing points across the city.
Vancouver’s cherry blossoms are spread across neighbourhoods rather than concentrated in one landmark location. The Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival typically runs from late March through mid-April...
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Spain’s Jerte Valley offers a rural cherry blossom experience marked by hillsides filled with blooming trees. The bloom period usually falls between late March and early April, depending on weather conditions.
Unlike urban settings, this destination centres on valley views, scenic drives and hiking routes during a short but visually expansive bloom season.
Spain’s Jerte Valley offers a rural cherry blossom experience marked by hillsides filled with blooming trees. The bloom period usually falls between late March and early April, depending on weather c..
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Amstelveen’s Cherry Blossom Park, also known as Bloesempark, is situated near Amsterdam. The bloom period typically lasts around two weeks in March and April.
The park provides a contained viewing space that works well for a focused blossom visit combined with a broader Amsterdam itinerary.
Amstelveen’s Cherry Blossom Park, also known as Bloesempark, is situated near Amsterdam. The bloom period typically lasts around two weeks in March and April.The park provides a contained viewing spa..
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Located in the Paris region, Parc de Sceaux is known for its grove of Japanese cherry trees. The park hosts seasonal Hanami celebrations, generally taking place in early to mid-April.
The large grounds allow visitors to spread out, making it suitable for a relaxed day trip during peak bloom.
Located in the Paris region, Parc de Sceaux is known for its grove of Japanese cherry trees. The park hosts seasonal Hanami celebrations, generally taking place in early to mid-April.The large ground..
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Bonn is known for its cherry blossom-lined streets, particularly in the Altstadt district. Rows of trees create a canopy effect when in full bloom, usually in early to mid-April depending on temperatures.
The compact setting makes it easy to explore on foot, and visitors can combine blossom viewing with local cafés and historic sites in the former capital city.
Bonn is known for its cherry blossom-lined streets, particularly in the Altstadt district. Rows of trees create a canopy effect when in full bloom, usually in early to mid-April depending on temperat..
Still, the festival drew about 630,000 visitors, its highest attendance since 2022, thanks to an increase in domestic tourists and those from Taiwan, Mori said.
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South Korea remained the top source of visitors in February, rising 28% to 1.08 million. Arrivals from Taiwan in February rose 37% to 693,600.