March signals the start of Japan’s famed sakura season as springtime slowly makes its way in. Based on the predictions of the Japan Weather Association, the earliest estimated date of the first bloom is on March 21. Flowers begin to bloom in South Japan, due to warmer weather conditions, making their way upward throughout the months of April and May.

If you want to stay ahead of the crowd, Kyushu Island is often the first to have its trees bloom. There are several locations within Kyushu for one to enjoy the cherry blossoms. Among the most popular sites to visit is Nagasaki’s Omura Park. It is home to over 2,000 cherry trees. One of its varieties, the omurazakura cherry tree, is considered a Natural Treasure of Japan. You can also check out what remains of the Kushima Castle. Kushima Castle was built in 1599, though it was mostly removed during the Meiji Restoration era. Today, you can still view the moat and parts of its original stone wall. A reconstructed tower can also be seen along one of the stone walls. Worth checking out as well in Kyushu Island is Mochio Park in Miyazaki. Mochio Park is home to over 2,600 cherry trees. You can admire the different types of cherry blossom trees by walking through a two-kilometer walking path.

For the more familiar sights, there’s always Ueno Park in Tokyo. Some of its earliest trees can be traced as far back as the 1600s, having been planted by the Tokugawa dynasty’s third shōgun, Tokugawa Iemitsu. Aside from the trees, the park also has a zoo and a museum worth checking out. It is best enjoyed during the Ueno Cherry Blossom Festival, as lanterns light up the place at night, making it a spectacular sight. Just a heads up, Ueno Park can get crowded as numbers can go as high as two million visitors during its peak season.

Travelers who wish to opt for an off-the-beaten-path adventure might find thrill in enjoying the 30,000 cherry blossom trees Mount Yoshino has to offer. Located within the Nara Prefecture, Mt. Yoshino is considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a National Historic Site of Japan. Once it hits April, the mountainrange finds itself fully transformed as its trees bloom in bright pink colors.

To maximize your cherry blossom experience, keep track of the weather in Japan and time your trip sometime between mid-March and early May. Cherry blossoms usually bloom for only one to two weeks. Full bloom comes one week after its first blossom. After another week, the blossoms start to fall. Heavy rain and wind can also shorten the blossoming period.