While it may be slightly too late to book a spring getaway this year (unless you find a good last-minute deal), it's never too early to begin planning next year's getaways. And one stunning Japanese city has been named the most beautiful city to visit in Spring, with May being the month it looks its best.
Travel publication Time Out recently shared a list of the ten most beautiful cities to visit in Spring, with the Japanese city of Hokuto coming in at number one. The travel experts write: "Heading away in late spring? If it’s to Hokkaido, you’ll be in luck, as this island’s position in Japan’s north means sakura flowers a month later than the rest of the country, and so cities like Hokuto will be awash with cherry blossoms from May."
They advise taking trips to Matsumae Park or Higashimokoto Park for the best views of the cherry blossoms - and if you're visiting between 18 to 28 May, then be sure to make time to visit the Takikawa Canola Flower Festival.
Located just two hours from Mount Fuji, and with the views to prove it, Hokuto is stunning at anytime of year, but especially in Spring. There's also plenty to do in the city, from visiting the Suntory Hakushu Distillery, the beautiful gardens of Heidi’s Village, or the lovely Sun Meadows Kiyosato Highland Park.
One tourist, who visited Hokuto during the cherry blossom season, wrote on TripAdvisor: "Cherry blossoms are intoxicating and irrepressible every year when the Sakura season rolls around.
"The cherry blossoms and other spring blooms are indeed gorgeous in this local and quite sedate little village temple location. If you are travelling around this area in spring, do consider giving it a look, walking around, you can spend an hour here, and maybe get a little bite to eat from the food stalls."
Second on the list was the Greek city of Athens, and third place was Amsterdam. Perhaps unsurprisingly, there were no British cities on the list, although numerous destinations were known to be popular with British tourists.
