Five of the best…

Yoshino, Nara

Though the World Heritage-listed Yoshino is awash with some 30,000 sakura trees, people flock to the four groves leading up Mount Yoshino, as the trees there blossom at different times throughout spring. The highest grove, Oku-senbon, lies 800m up the mountain trail.
yoshinoyama-sakura.jp/english

Philosopher’s Walk, Kyoto

Follow in the footsteps of influential 20th century philosopher Nishido Kitaro as you walk the path he used for daily meditation. The stone thoroughfare follows a weaving canal for 1.7 miles through Kyoto’s Higashiyama district and is lined with hundreds of sakura trees that explode with colour every April.
everytrail.com/guide/the-philosopher-s-walk-in-kyoto

Enryakuji Temple, Shiga

Founded in 788 and now the headquarters of the Tendai sect of buddhism, this monastery has an enthrallingly gory past. Take the pleasant walk through the hilly, pink forests of its three areas: Todo, Saito and Yokawa to see the historical buildings and find out for yourself.
visitkansai.com/sightseeing/hieizan-enryakuji

Satsuskiyama Park, Ikeda

Sprawling up the side of Mount Satsuki, Satsukiyama Park boasts five hiking trails with stunning views of the Osaka Plain. However, if you prefer to take a more relaxed approach to cherry blossom viewing, the park also houses a free botanical garden, zoo and petting zoo that are open for the bulk of the day.
osaka-info.jp/en/search/detail/sightseeing_1804

Sakurai, Nara

Abundant with sakura trees and miles into the countryside, this lessknown location really is a treat for the senses. The river that snakes through the town has steps leading down to it at some points, making it ideal for gathering.
city.sakurai.nara.jp/english/sakurai01