Spring calls forth one of Japan’s most coveted flora-inspired celebrations: the cherry blossom season! Every March and April, sakura trees in full bloom line the streets of Japan in an aesthetic pink hue, attracting locals and visitors alike to admire the cherry blossom’s stunning birth. The beautiful but short-lived cherry blossom viewing is so beloved that the Japanese take it very seriously, and the Japan Meteorological Corporation (JMC) keeps a close eye on weather conditions with a detailed forecast of the blooming season that goes through several updates in the lead up to the occasion. The JMC has recently announced its third and newest update for cherry blossom season 2026, offering location-specific blooming dates and times for visitors to plan their annual spring sojourn accordingly.
Photograph: Courtesy Japan Meteorological Corporation
Cherry blossom season in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and more
According to data from the JMC, the first blooms this year will likely be spotted in Kochi and Nagoya on March 21, with Nagoya blooms reaching its fullest on March 30. Meanwhile, cherries in Tokyo are expected to flower on March 22 and be in full bloom by March 29. Predictions for popular tourist destinations include initial blooms in Osaka on March 25 and full blooms on April 1, while Kyoto will see a blossoming period from March 25 to April 2, and Fukuoka’s will run from March 22 to March 30. Northern destinations such as Sapporo will receive its first blooms on April 26 and reach full bloom on April 30.
Photograph: Ann Chiu
The JMC’s predictions are based on past research on the Somei Yoshino, one of the most common types of cherry blossoms in Japan. While actual flowering and full-bloom times of the trees may differ by a day or two, the JMC has historically been pretty accurate with its predictions. Cherry blossoms usually take around five days to a week to reach full bloom from flowering, and the JMC suggests the best time to see these stunning flowers is up to a week after full bloom.
Keep up to date with the latest information regarding cherry blossom season in Japan at s.n-kishou.co.jp. If you’d like to keep track of the growth of sakura ahead of and during your trip, try out the Sakura Navi forecast app!
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AloJapan.com