This year, I finally made it happen — my long-awaited cherry blossom trip to Japan! It’s something I’ve been dreaming about and planning for almost six years. Every year, something would come up — work, life, timing — and the dream would have to be pushed back again. But not this time.
Cherry blossom season in Japan is all about perfect timing. The blossoms don’t wait, and they bloom for such a short time that planning a trip around them can be tricky. But this year, I got lucky — and a bit strategic. One of my sister’s friends shared the latest cherry blossom forecasts with me, and that changed everything. After the third forecast, I started mapping out the cities and rough travel dates. Once the fourth forecast came out, I booked my flights. And by the fifth forecast, I had all my hotels and trains sorted. And guess what? It worked out beautifully.
I've seen cherry blossoms in Germany before — and they’re lovely — but witnessing them in Japan is something else entirely. It had been on my bucket list for so long, and now that I’ve seen it with my own eyes, I can truly say: it’s worth the wait.
One of the highlights of my trip was Aomori. The cherry blossoms there were absolutely breathtaking — like something out of a dream. It felt different, special, and magical in a way I can’t quite put into words. There’s just something about the atmosphere, the people, and the way Japan celebrates this season that makes it unforgettable.
Another beautiful surprise I experienced was seeing cherry blossoms at Mount Fuji. Honestly, I wasn’t expecting it at all — but luckily, the blossoms were still there when I visited. That view was absolutely incredible: Mount Fuji in the background and pink cherry blossoms in the foreground. It was like a scene from a postcard and truly one of those moments you never forget.
While traveling around Japan, I encountered so many kind and helpful people. Yes, the language barrier is real, but kindness goes a long way. My best friends on this trip? Translation App and my eSIM data package from Airalo — honestly, lifesavers! I don’t think I would’ve managed without them.
A few fun cultural shocks: Japanese people love to queue — and I mean for everything. Even at the train station, they wait in line so patiently. It was kind of amazing to see. And the silence! I remember coming out of a crowded train station, expecting noise and chatter, but there was nothing. Just quiet. Even on trains, everyone’s glued to their phones — no talking, no disturbance. As a tourist, it was a little surreal, but also fascinating.
People are so polite and helping. once I Gave order for my food and coffee but somehow the girl got it wrong and gave me 2 coffees. One glass black coffee and another with milk with caramel . so then I explained her again that just need a coffee with soy milk and caramel on the top. thats all. She then gave me the right coffee but then she saw that she actually charged me more because of 2 separate coffee and milk and now the price should be less. so she cancelled my first payment and then charged me again for the correct price. I was very impressed by her honesty. I am sure in any other country they would have maximum given me correct coffee again but never would have made any price change once charged.
And then there’s the train system — oh my god! Especially at Shinjuku Station and Tokyo station. I got lost, confused, and even bought the same ticket three times. Still got it wrong. That place is a maze. Finding the right exit felt like a mini adventure in itself. But hey, that’s all part of the journey, right?
Another thing I experienced was how important cash still is in Japan. So many places only accept cash! I was under the impression that Germany was the only country lagging behind when it comes to card payments — but nope, Japan too! That was a bit annoying, honestly. I mean, who wants to carry cash around all the time? In many other Asian countries, I hardly ever use cash anymore, but Japan is definitely an exception. So, a tip: make sure to always carry some cash with you when traveling there.
Now, on to something amazing — the food. Japan is an absolute food heaven for me! Sushi and ramen are two of my favorite foods, and I just loved every bite here. Whether it was a small local shop or a famous restaurant, everything tasted so fresh and delicious. I could have spent the entire trip just eating my way through the country!
But I must say, Japan is still an expensive country. Compared to Korea, I felt the costs here were quite a bit higher — especially when it came to taxis and eating out. It’s definitely not the cheapest place to travel, but honestly, for the experience you get, it’s worth every yen.
Japan truly is a fascinating country. I loved every bit of it — the food, the culture, the nature, the people. I’m already dreaming about my next visit, maybe to Osaka and Kyoto. Let’s see when that happens.
But for now, I’m just incredibly grateful that my cherry blossom dream finally came true. The universe delivered, and I couldn’t be happier. Let’s see what the rest of the year brings!
