Hana wa sakuragi, hito wa bushi:
"the [best] blossom is the cherry blossom; the [best] man is the warrior"
The Cherry blossom season in Japan also known as Sakura season, typically runs from late March to mid-April, but can sometimes last into May. The exact timing depends on the location and the weather in the preceding months.
Inland mountains and along the Sea of Japan:
Blossoms usually appear in early April and peak shortly after Southern Tohoku:
Blossoms start to appear around mid-April and peak quickly Hokkaido:
Blossoms emerge in late April and peak in early May Southern subtropical islands:
Blossoms can open as early as January
Note that the timing of cherry blossom blooming varies depending on the climate of the year. So, for someone heading on a cruise in April like the following ports mentioned below, here are the possible cherry blossoms.
Naha: Mid January - early February
Hiroshima: Late March - early April
Tokyo: Late March - early April
Hakodate: Late April - early May
Otaru: Late April - early May
If Naha starts from January to February, by late March, Cherry blossom season has officially started in Tokyo! The ‘official’ tree may have 10 blossoms or less on the first bloom. However, everywhere else there's close to zero blossom (other than the big tree in front of the National Theatre which is looking quite pretty already). Could it be the weather but seems likely that with temperatures up to 24°C the next day, there will be a decent sprinkling of pink by the end of the weekend. For more Insider Tips and Local Insights, a good book will be of help.
And depending on the weather, cherry blossoms can go from full bloom to mostly on the ground in about 48 hours and can last to nearly 2 weeks the following year when if it is chilly. So hard to predict, right? If you missed it, might as well discover what secret spots you can experience since you're already there as there is so much to see in Japan.
Another thing to remember, the cherry blossoms bloom from south to north so you should start in Kyushu and move north towards Tokyo.
Cherry blossoms may start in February in Okinawa and end in early May in Hokkaido. The blooming season is called Sakura Zensen, which translates to "the progress of the cherry blossom front". The exact timing depends on the region's climate, with warmer areas blooming earlier.
For example, cherry blossoms in major cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka usually bloom in late March and are in full bloom about a week later. In cooler years, Tokyo's full bloom can be as late as April 6, while in warmer years it can be as early as March 22. Bad weather like strong winds and rain can also shorten the viewing window.
As mentioned earlier, the cherry blossom usually start from the south, at the end of March, in Kyushu, where the temperature begins to rise earlier, and the cherry blossoms bloom northward until early May in Hokkaido.
There's even the Kawazu Sakura Blossoms in Kawazu, Shizuoka prefecture and is referred as the: “winter cherry blossoms”.
Kawazu Sakura is a variety of cherry blossom known for its vibrant pink color and early blooming period. Originating from Kawazu, Japan, these cherry blossoms typically bloom in late February to early March, ahead of other cherry blossom varieties. They are larger and more robust than other types of sakura, creating a stunning display that attracts tourists and locals alike during hanami season.
It’s generally luck of the draw with cherry blossom season as the foliage changes year to year. The global warming is affecting the cherry blossom season. The peak of the blooming is about a week earlier than the average.
Looking at the forecast helps but you don’t start seeing the forecast until February. Who knows what the weather is going to be next six months. Please don’t rely on the cherry blossom forecast too much. It’s just a forecast. The most important is to keep your schedule open as far as possible. For example, if you are visiting in April, please stay in Tokyo for longer period. If you find it’s too early for cherry blossom viewing, please head to the south. If it’s too late, please visit northern cities. The cherry blossom season seldom falls into the forecast either cherry blossom festivals.
Something to help you learn more about the country is a Japan Guide
Enjoy your cherry blossom sightings in japan!
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