What to Wear in Japan for Cherry Blossom Photos

What to wear in sakura season: the ultimate guide

Cherry blossom season in Japan is the most popular time for tourists and locals alike to travel Japan in search of these beautiful pink flowers. From Kyoto to Tokyo, at the turn of spring (usually between the end of March and beginning of April) Japan wakes up and the flowers and festivals come out. This is the time to start thinking about what to wear in Japan for cherry blossom photos!

What do people wear for cherry blossom Festivals?

Many people wear a traditional outfit like a kimono during hanami season (cherry blossom viewings). This is a warmer option than the yukata which is made to be light and airy for summer festivals. A light pastel floral kimono with layered thermals underneath is a great option if you know how to wear one or can find a rental shop to dress you.

What you will find here

For all other outfits, I’m your gal. If you’re wondering what to wear in sakura season your first inclination might be to get out that pink summer dress. Stop! It is important to note that temperatures range from 5 degrees celsius (41 degrees fahrenheit) at night to 15 degrees celsius (59 degrees fahrenheit) in the day. That is not actually very warm! So I’ve put together some of my recommendations to help you dress to stay warm while exploring all day and taking cute photos.

What to Wear in Japan for Cherry Blossom Photos

Hat, scarves & gloves:

For a cute cherry blossom outfit, I would opt for a straw hat if it is a sunny day or a fuzzy pink pastel beret to keep your head warm on a move overcast day. 

You probably don’t need a scarf or gloves if you’re on the move. I would highly recommend you bring these items in your bag if you’re going to be having a hanami (picnic). As you’ll be sitting down you’ll get colder faster than walking around. If you choose to celebrate with a drink or two you might end up staying out after the sun goes down and thats when a scarf and a hat keeps you warm!

Jackets & Cardigans:

You will definitely want to bring a jacket! I highly recommend a lined denim jacket, a teddy jacket/coat, or a trench coat. If you have any of these in a light colour, they’ll work perfectly in photos and also keep you warm. My personal favourite option is a chunky cardigan in a light pastel colour as this works perfectly with a chiffon dress.

Tops, pants, & dresses:

If you’re thinking of wearing a one-piece or a dress, I highly recommend a chiffon, floral maxi or midi dress as this will work great in photos as the more flowy your dress is, the better it will photograph! Again, if you’re thinking about having a hanami, make sure you wear pants or a long skirt as you’ll be sitting on the ground a lot. If you aren’t a dress girly, try a light pair of jeans or pants paired with a delicate, floral print top. On a colder day, a pastel sweater with uniqlo heattech thermals works wonders!

Shoes & boots:

I highly recommend wearing a pair of pastel or white tennis shoes as they’ll be comfy to walk around and make a cute option for your cherry blossom outfit. Your other options are a pair of white trainers. Both of these options look cute with some lace or floral socks for a more feminine look, too! 

You can, of course, choose to wear a pair of courts if you are going to be dressing more formally, but with all the steps you’ll be doing and the fact that many of the cherry blossom locations are parks which mean you might be walking on grass, you probably want to stick to flat shoes. Due to the temperature, you also don’t want to be wearing sandals or open-toe shoes. 

What to wear in spring in Japan: my Cherry Blossom Outfit recommendations

Note: I try to stick to sustainable and vegan materials but please read each item’s material description before deciding for yourself if it suits you.