It is the first season accessible to international tourists for four years since Japan reopened its borders to travellers last autumn and InsideJapan said it has seen “particular demand” for late March to early April.

Agency sales and marketing manager Matt Spiller said the company was “picking up where we left off” after a hugely successful 2019. 

“2023 was going to be about travel getting back on track, but it is more a case of keeping up with incredible demand. It looks like Japan is firmly established on travel wish lists which, as a Japan travel specialist, is great to see,” he said. 

InsideJapan has recently recruited more than 50 staff and brought back “a number of returning employees”, which the company said would enable it to “keep high quality of service”.

However, Spiller warned popular destinations such as Kyoto, Japan’s culture capital, were “filling up” tourism accommodation capacity as international and domestic visitors flocked to see the cherry blossom.

“This year there are additional factors in play such as the diminishing number of flights, along with the pent-up demand that are forcing us to call time in prime blossom bookings,” he said.

However, InsideJapan insisted there were many options still open to travellers wanting to experience the country in 2023 – with Spiller suggesting the northern Tohoku region and island of Hokkaido which see cherry trees bloom slightly later in late April and early May. 

“May is also an underrated month with good weather and gardens in full bloom,” said Spillier. “It is the autumnal months that really give spring a run for their money in terms of beauty as the Koyo autumn leaf viewing season kicks in from October to early December lighting up mountainsides and temple gardens with fiery reds and orange leaves. The winter months offer clear skies offer a veritable winter wonderland with snow covering much of the country."

InsideJapan has just launched its 2024 small group tour dates, with expectations spring itineraries will sell fast, while the operator said it had “a very small number of places” available on spring small group tours for 2023.

“We know what makes this country special. No matter how good Japan is in the spring blossom period, we want people to understand that Japan is so good throughout the year. It is an experience not just for spring and we do our utmost to ensure that people get the best Japan they can, whenever they travel," added Spiller.