Anyone know when and where to see the best cherry blossoms in Osaka, Kyato, Kobe and Nara this year? Will end-April be too late?

Cherry blossom is early to mid-April in this area.

Thanks Florence. <BR>Any particular places/parks to enjoy cherry blossom in these areas? Any other tips?

Kyoto and Nara are full of suitable places for cherry blossom viewing, especially temple gardens. <BR> <BR>In Kyoto, Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion), Kiyomizu Dera, Yasaka Jinja (both in Higashiyama-Gion district, a really nice walk), Daitokuji temple with its zen gardens, Kitano Tenman-gu Shrine, Myoshin-ji Temple and its gardens, etc... <BR> <BR>In Nara, Kofuku-ji temple and its pagoda, Daitoku-ji and its giant Buddha, and many more. <BR> <BR>In Osaka, I know only the castle grounds, but there must be more. <BR> <BR>Rather than Kobe, Himeji Castle is worth a visit, cherry blossoms or not.

I am going from 3/11-16/01. What will i receive as far as blossoms? Also, i hard is it to transfer or go on train to Koyoto, Nara, Toba, Nagoya and to Shimoda (tip of the Izu pennsila)?

There were lots of flower buds two weeks ago. I think they will start blooming when you get there. Like Florence said temple gardens are the best place to go to see them. There are some cherry trees at Hemiji castle. If you decide to go to Hemiji castle, do it in the early part of the day as there are no lights in the castle, it can get pretty dark inside. I made the mistake by going there late in the afternoon.

Just thought I should mention a warning so that people wanting to see the Cherry Blossoms arent too disappointed. Depending on the weather, sometimes the blossoms will only last 2 or 3 days. The trees bloom at different times i.e starting firstly in Tokyo and opening up gradually as you move South. So sometimes if your schedule is going in the wrong direction you can keep missing the blossoms by a couple of days everytime you get to a new city. If only in japan for a short time it can sometimes by difficult to see them in all their glory, but Im sure that at the least you will see at least a couple of beautiful displays.

The weather forecast always announces the progress of the blossom "front". Newspapers in English (Japan Times, Daily Yomiuri, Asahi) will have that feature.

That's great info Florence, I didnt know that. I'm sure that will help everyone.

Gayle, <BR>I hope it will and that's why I'm posting it. By the way: www.japantimes.co.jp <BR>http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/index-e.htm <BR> <BR>