By MOOK Scenic Spots House, compiled and reported
As the cherry blossom season in Japan draws nearer, seeing the trees in full bloom is a key concern for many travelers planning to visit. Recently, the Japan Meteorological Agency released its cherry blossom front forecast, indicating that this year’s cherry blossoms are generally expected to bloom earlier than the average dates of previous years.
Photo / Japan Meteorological Agency
According to this forecast, cherry blossoms are expected to bloom in Fukuoka and Kumamoto on March 19, in Nagasaki, Saga, and Kochi on March 21, and in Tokyo and Matsuyama on March 22. By the end of March, cherry blossoms will be in full bloom across both eastern and western Japan.
In the Hokuriku region, Nagano, and Tohoku, blooms are mostly expected in early April, with the cherry blossom front reaching the Tsugaru Strait by the end of April. In Hokkaido, the blossoms in Hakodate are expected to start blooming at the end of April.
For several popular tourist spots, the predicted blooming dates are: Tokyo on March 22, Kyoto on March 24, Osaka on March 26, Shizuoka on March 27, Hakodate on April 29, and Sapporo on May 3. Full bloom typically occurs about seven days after the initial blooming date, marking the peak time for cherry blossom viewing—so plan your trip accordingly.