Spring in Japan: Cherry Blossom Forecast

Springtime in Japan is a tableau of dreamlike scenes. From the latter half of March to as late as early May, the blossoms of Japan’s iconic sakura (cherry blossoms) captivate visitors and locals alike, as they light up the length and breadth of Japan in subtle shades of pink splendor

Sakura season begins on the island of Kyushu, southwestern Japan, in March, when daily updates begin to track the sakura front as it progresses northward.

Somei-Yoshino, with their abundance of pale pink blossoms, are the most common trees in Japan; the elegant shidare-zakura, weeping cherry trees, often found in parks and along riverbanks, are another must-see site.