Cherry blossoms in Japan usually bloom from late March to early April, but the exact timing varies from year to year, and there can be differences of more than a week even between different regions.

It is precisely this poor timing that is the reason why some travellers do not see the cherry blossoms at all, even though they arrive ‘in spring’.

The good news is that if you know when to go and how to keep an eye on the blossom forecasts, your chances of success are very high.

The cherry blossoms only bloom for about 1–2 weeks, but the season itself lasts roughly 3–4 weeks, as the blossoms move from south to north.

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When do the cherry blossoms bloom in Japan – an overview by city

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the cherry blossoms bloomed on the following dates in 2026.

The forecast for 2027 is likely to be published in December 2026. Below are approximate dates from 2026, which may differ in 2027 (usually by plus or minus a week).

Region	First blossoms	Full bloom
Tokyo	20 March	28 March
Kyoto	24 March	1 April
Osaka	24 March	1 April
Nagoya	20 March	30 March
Hiroshima	22 March	31 March
Fukuoka	21 March	30 March
Kagoshima	24 March	5 April
Nagano	6 April	11 April
Sapporo	26 April	29 April
Sendai	5 April	10 April
Okinawa	18 January	9 February

The cherry blossom season progresses from south to north, so there can be differences of up to several weeks between regions. The map below shows the typical progression of the season.

When to visit Japan for the cherry blossoms

If you’re visiting for the first time,the last week of March and the first week of April have long been considered the safest time to go.

During this period, you’re most likely to see the cherry blossoms in full bloom in the regions most popular with tourists – Tokyo and Kansai (which includes Osaka, Kyoto, Nara and Kobe).

What’s more, the weather is usually very pleasant, with temperatures around 17 °C.

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How to increase your chances of actually seeing the cherry blossoms

In practice, there are four simple things that work:

• 👉 Stay in Japan for at least 10–14 days– the blossom season can shift by a few days
• 👉 Plan to visit several cities– the timing can vary by a few days, or even a week
• 👉 Be flexible– ideally, plan your cherry blossom trip as you go, so you can, for example, spontaneously hop on the Shinkansen from Tokyo and head further north or south
• 👉 Keep an eye on the sakura forecast– forecasts tend to be fairly accurate three weeks in advance; for example, see here:n-kishou.com/news-contents/sakura

How long do the cherry blossoms bloom for?

The blossoms themselves usually last only 7 to 14 days. The most beautiful period, when the trees are in full bloom, tends to be even shorter and often lasts just a few days.

It depends a great deal on the weather. Warm days speed up the flowering process, whilst rain and strong winds can cause the blossoms to fall significantly earlier.

That’s why it’s better not to plan your trip for a single specific day. Ideally, you should include several locations in your itinerary and bear in mind that the cherry blossoms may bloom at slightly different times in Tokyo, Kyoto or Osaka.

However, the entire cherry blossom season in Japan lasts much longer. It begins as early as January in Okinawa and does not end until the end of April or beginning of May in Hokkaido.

My experience: the most beautiful cherry blossoms aren’t always at their peak

Before my first trip, I felt I had to time my visit precisely to coincide with the day of full bloom. In reality, that isn’t necessary.

Cherry blossoms are beautiful when they start to bloom, in full bloom, and even as the petals fall

Falling petals and the pink carpets in the parks are among the most photogenic moments of the whole season.

How to plan your route so you can really see the cherry blossoms

The surest way to actually catch the cherry blossoms is not to limit yourself to just one city. The flowering period can shift by a few days, and a short journey often makes all the difference.

This itinerary, for example, works well:

• Hiroshimaor Miyajima (a more peaceful atmosphere and fewer crowds)
• Kyoto + Nara + Osaka (temples, historic streets and cherry blossom-lined avenues)
• the Mount Fuji area (cherry blossoms + snow-capped peak)
• Tokyo (parks and rivers lined with cherry blossoms)

You’ll gradually move between regions where the cherry blossoms bloom at slightly different times, whilst also seeing very different parts of Japan.

If you want to be really sure of seeing the cherry blossoms in full bloom, allow for a trip lasting at least 8–10 days.

When to book flights and hotels

The cherry blossom season is one of the most expensive times of year in Japan. Hotels in tourist towns can be up to three times more expensive than at other times of the year.

In our experience, it’s worth:

• book your flights roughly 3–6 months in advance
• book accommodation as early as possible, especially in Tokyo and Kyoto
• choose a hotel near the metro or parks, as the cherry blossoms are often illuminated in the evening and it’s worth being able to get back to them easily

If you already have a rough idea of your travel dates, it’s worth checking current accommodation prices in advance – prices can vary significantly from week to week during the cherry blossom season.

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What is hanami?

During the cherry blossom season, you’ll come across groups of people sitting on blankets under the trees in parks. This is called hanami – the tradition of viewing the cherry blossoms.

In practice, it’s a very simple but thoroughly enjoyable activity: people bring food and drink, sit under the trees and spend time outdoors. In large parks, the atmosphere is relaxed and often surprisingly peaceful, even though there are plenty of people around.

It is precisely this atmosphere that is one of the things that makes spring in Japan so special – it’s not just about the blossoms, but about how the whole city slows down for a few weeks.

Cherry blossoms vs autumn leaves

The cherry blossoms are the best known, but autumn in Japan is just as beautiful and often offers more stable weather.

Personally, I prefer autumn slightly, because the colours on the trees are more varied than those of the cherry blossoms, where you only see shades of pink.

• 👉 When is the best time to see the autumn foliage?

Summary: when to visit Japan for the cherry blossoms

The best time to see the cherry blossoms in Japan is late March and early April, when they are in bloom in Tokyoand most places in the Kyoto and Osaka areas.

Even if you don’t catch the peak exactly, the cherry blossoms are beautiful at various stages of bloom, and the atmosphere of spring in Japan is almost always worth the visit.

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