2010 Cherry Blossom Front Forecast: Seize the Best Time to See Full Bloom

The most enchanting sight of spring in Japan is the delicate pink cherry blossoms. From around March to April, they bloom and then fall. Since 1955 (Showa 30), the Japan Meteorological Agency has started releasing the “cherry blossom front.” The forecast is based on the blooming of Somei Yoshino cherry trees in Honshu. Each year, the cherry blossom front begins in mid-January in Okinawa and slowly moves northward across the Japanese archipelago, taking nearly four months to reach Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Nemuro City, Hokkaido.

Due to this year’s unpredictable warming climate, the Japan Meteorological Association has released its third “2010 Cherry Blossom Bloom Forecast.” Although temperatures in autumn and winter last year were slightly higher than usual, fluctuations between cold and warm have been significant. It is predicted that spring temperatures in western and eastern Japan will be higher than usual in March, while those in northern Japan will be the same as or slightly higher than usual. From April to May, temperatures in northern Japan are also expected to be the same as or higher than usual. The prediction indicates that cherry blossoms in western and eastern Japan will bloom earlier than usual this year, with some areas seeing significantly earlier blooms, while in northern Japan, blooming will be the same as or slightly earlier than usual.

Aside from early-blooming cherry blossom spots such as Okinawa and Izu’s Kawazu-zakura, the predicted bloom dates are as follows: Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture – March 16; Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture – March 21; Tokyo – March 21; Kyoto – March 24; Osaka City – March 25; Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture – March 31; Nagano Prefecture – April 5; Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture – April 23. As for Hokkaido, blossoms will appear starting May 2 in Hakodate City, and by May 15, they will spread to Abashiri City.

When visiting Japan to view cherry blossoms, you can follow key principles such as the “Three Famous Spots” and the “Three Famous Trees” to appreciate what the Japanese consider sacred cherry blossom sites. The Three Famous Spots include Takato Castle Ruins Park in Nagano Prefecture, Hirosaki Park in Aomori Prefecture, and Yoshino Mountain in Nara Prefecture. Standing under the trees and looking up at the sea of blossoms is comparable to world-famous scenic views. The Three Famous Trees are the Entsuji Tanenozakura in Gifu Prefecture, the Miharu Takizakura in Fukushima Prefecture, and the Jindai Zakura in Yamanashi Prefecture. Their ancient age inspires awe.

The arrival of cherry blossom season marks the passing of a year and the welcoming of new hope. To experience this floral feast while traveling across Japan, check the latest hanami information on the Japan Meteorological Association’s website.

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