Cherry Blossom Viewing in 2025
In 2025, the cherry blossom season is expected to begin around the end of March or the start of April, depending on the region. In Tokyo, for instance, the cherry blossoms typically bloom at the end of March. The variation in the start dates is usually just a couple of days. The Japan Meteorological Agency regularly publishes up-to-date forecasts.
Visa for Japan
Kazakhstan citizens will need a visa to visit Japan. Processing the application takes at least five working days and is free for CIS citizens.
How to Get There
Currently, travelers from Kazakhstan can only fly to Japan via connecting flights. However, Air Astana and Almaty International Airport are working on launching a direct flight from "Almaty to Tokyo" in the near future.
Since cherry blossom viewing is not a one-day event, planning a trip for a week is recommended. In addition to strolls through parks under blooming trees, this is a great opportunity to immerse yourself in Japanese culture. You can try seasonal desserts featuring cherry blossoms, participate in festivals, and visit temples and traditional Japanese gardens.
Tokyo
From Almaty, the cheapest ticket during the cherry blossom season starts at 416,000 tenge. The flight to Tokyo will take almost 11 hours with a 2.5-hour layover in Beijing. The return trip will also have a layover in Beijing, but it will be for a day, making the total travel time over 33 hours.
From Astana, traveling will require two layovers: either in Almaty or in one of the neighboring Asian countries. For example, the most affordable flight for the same dates will cost around 560,000 tenge with layovers in Tashkent, Seoul, Zhengzhou, and Urumqi. The travel time will be 19 hours outbound and nearly 40 hours for the return trip.
Accommodation in Tokyo: Prices for lodging in Tokyo vary significantly. Budget hotels and hostels offer beds starting from 17 dollars (8,561 tenge) per night. A mid-range hotel will cost at least 110 dollars (55,000 tenge) per night.
Hiroshima
0 According to the agency's forecast, cherry blossom viewing is expected to start on March 25.
From Almaty, the flight price starts at 457,000 tenge. Layovers will be in Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, and Beijing. The travel time will be 34 hours outbound and 33 hours for the return.
From Astana, the cheapest ticket to Hiroshima will cost 694,000 tenge, with layovers in Tashkent and Seoul. The journey will take over 35 hours outbound and 34 hours for the return.
Accommodation in Hiroshima: Prices are quite similar to those in the capital. Budget options start at 17 dollars (8,561 tenge) per night, while 3-4 star hotels can be found from 56 dollars (about 28,000 tenge) per night.
Osaka
1 According to the agency's forecast, cherry blossoms will begin to bloom on March 27.
From Almaty, tickets to Osaka during the cherry blossom season can be found starting from 405,000 tenge, with a layover in Hangzhou both ways. The travel time will take between 11 to 13 hours, depending on the layover.
From Astana, traveling to Osaka will require at least two layovers, in Almaty and Seoul, while the return will have a layover in Guangzhou. The cost starts at 518,000 tenge, with a total travel time of 52 hours.
Accommodation in Osaka: Capsule hotels and hostels start from 16 dollars (8,057 tenge) per night. Four-star hotels and apartments will cost from 168 dollars (84,000 tenge) per night.
Kyoto
2 In Kyoto, the cherry blossom season is expected to start on March 26.
It can be quite challenging to find flights to Kyoto from major cities in Kazakhstan, but Japan is known for its well-developed transport system. High-speed Bullet Trains regularly connect the cities. Once you reach the capital, you can travel to Kyoto in just over two hours by train. A one-way ticket costs 143 dollars (72,000 tenge).
Accommodation in Kyoto: Staying in the city is more expensive than in neighboring regions, with the minimum price for a night in a hostel being 32 dollars (16,000 tenge). Four-star hotels and apartments will ask for at least 274 dollars (137,000 tenge) per night.
Cost Overview
The cheapest place to experience the cherry blossoms is Osaka. During the blooming season, tickets there are the most affordable and optimal in terms of travel time, with accommodation prices similar to those in the capital. Excluding food and entertainment, the trip will cost a minimum of 461,000 tenge with a stay in a hostel or capsule hotel. If you choose to spend on more comfortable accommodations, you could spend up to one million tenge.