Plan to catch Japan’s iconic cherry blossoms this year? The Japanese Meteorological Corporation (JMC) has just released its first forecast for the 2025 sakura season, which tells you when the much-anticipated flowers will bloom.
Known as hanami, the cherished tradition of basking under the pink and purple-hued clouds of cherry blossoms, the sakura season transforms Japan into a lilac wonderland, with flowering dates meticulously tracked across 1,000 viewing locations in 48 cities. This year, the first blooms are expected on 22 March in Fukuoka on the northern coast and Kochi on the pacific coast of Japan, with the first full bloom following shortly on 29 March in Kochi.
According to the forecast, Japan’s wild northern region of Hokkaido will see its cherry blossoms begin to bloom around 1 May, with full bloom expected on 5 May. In central Japan, Tokyo is set to welcome its blossoms on 24 March, followed by Kyoto and Osaka on 27 March, with their peaks anticipated on 3 April. Yokohama’s blooms, located in south of Tokyo, will appear around 31 March, reaching full bloom by 7 April, while Honshu Island’s sakura season in Hiroshima is forecast to start on 24 March, also peaking on 3 April. The final act of the season will unfold in Northern Japan in Sapporo, Hokkaido, with full bloom predicted on 5 May 2025.
How they make the cherry blossom forecast
What makes the JMC forecast copper-bottomed is the meticulous research behind it. Using a combination of factors—like cherry tree growth, previous bloom dates, and autumn and winter temperatures—their predictions help visitors plan not only for the peak bloom but also for the build-up to it. To aid travellers further, the JMC also provides a flowering meter to track the progress of the blossoms.
The next forecast is slated for 23 January 2025 and with Japan now offering e-visas, planning your visit to experience this fleeting beauty has never been easier.
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AloJapan.com