Summary
The Japan Meteorological Corporation has issued its updated 2026 cherry blossom forecast
Warmer weather in Tokyo has shifted the city’s expected flowering date to mid-March
The predictions cover approximately 1,000 destinations across Japan and utilize AI for precision
As spring approaches, the Japan Meteorological Corporation has released its latest official 2026 cherry blossom forecast. Dropping its sixth update on February 26, the agency provides a detailed look at when the iconic somei yoshino variety will bloom across approximately 1,000 destinations nationwide.
Due to recent warm weather patterns in the capital, the timeline for Tokyo has shifted slightly earlier than usual. The city is now predicted to see its first flowers on March 18, with full bloom expected to arrive around March 26. To provide these highly anticipated earlier dates and help people plan their trips more effectively, the agency incorporated artificial intelligence alongside traditional temperature tracking from the previous autumn.
Other major cultural hubs are also gearing up for the seasonal shift. Kyoto is slated for an initial bloom on March 22, reaching its peak on March 31. Fukuoka will mirror Tokyo’s start date of March 18, and is projected to reach full bloom by March 28. Further north, Sapporo’s sakura season will naturally kick off later, with flowering predicted to start from April 25 and full bloom arriving by April 29. The next official update from the Japan Meteorological Corporation is scheduled to arrive on March 5
AloJapan.com