Destinations

Spending on ‘hanami’ parties likely to fall as people tighten purse strings

20260313 Kouzu Zakura

A crowd mingles under Kawazuzakura, early-flowering cherry blossom trees, in Kawazu, Japan, on Feb. 22. (Izushimbun/Kyodo)

TOKYO — Japan’s cherry blossom season is getting underway, with Tokyo expected to see the first blooms by Wednesday or Thursday, and trees likely to be in full bloom the following week, according to forecasts from weather information providers.

AloJapan.com