2026 Japan Cherry Blossom Forecast | Japan Travel

Latest update: The 2026 Japan cherry blossom season is expected to arrive between mid-March and late March. If you plan on visiting Japan in 2026 for cherry blossoms, we advise coming to Japan from late March to the middle of April.

We recommend you to bookmark this page for future reference. In addition, this page provides guidance for planning your hanami (cherry blossom viewing) trip, including recommendations for the best places to experience Japan’s stunning cherry blossoms.

We will keep updating this page with expected dates when cherry blossoms will start to flower across Japan. Please note that it takes at least 6-8 days to be fully bloomed (after the initial bloom date has been recorded).

When is the Best Time to Visit Japan for Cherry Blossoms in 2026?

Cherry Blossoms at Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden in Tokyo.

According to the 2026 Cherry blossom forecast, cherry blossoms are expected to bloom around March 20 in Tokyo, March 24 in Kyoto and Osaka, April 18 in Aomori, and April 26 in Sapporo.

Early and peak blooming dates for cherry blossoms in Japan may vary slightly from the previous year’s forecast. By using the last year’s sakura forecast as a reference, you can estimate when Japan’s cherry blossoms will bloom in 2026.

Typically, the best time to see cherry blossoms, specifically Somei Yoshino variety, in Japan (central part – Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka,) is between late March and early April. However, in northern parts like Hokkaido Prefecture, the cherry blossom season usually starts in late April or early May.

It’s important to note that the blooming period can vary slightly each year in different locations across Japan. In general, the cherry blossom season in Japan lasts for a few weeks! So, plan your trip wisely by following some of our suggested itineraries.

Nakajima Park's hanami, Sapporo — Nakajima Park’s hanami, Sapporo

Cherry blossoms in Sapporo – Maruyama Koen.

The map shown below indicates how the cherry blossom viewing season (Hanami) of Japan for 2026 goes upward (Hokkaido) from the lower elevations (Okinawa).

Every year, Japan’s first cherry blossoms appear in Okinawa (southern Japan) in late January then move northwards to Hokkaido by early May.

Cherry Blossom Forecast Map for 2025. Photo Credit: Kyuhoshi.com

The dates of the first bloom and full bloom are subject to change due to the temperatures, wind, and rain. We strongly suggest you to check out the sakura forecast often so that you get the latest updates regarding this matter.

Why is it Important to keep a close eye on the official cherry blossom forecast?

The average time for cherry blossoms to appear can vary depending on the prevailing weather conditions. To ensure you don’t miss out on the beautiful display of cherry blossoms across different regions of Japan, it’s vital to keep an eye on the official cherry blossom forecast for 2026.

By staying updated with the latest information, you’ll be able to plan your trip and catch the breathtaking sakura season in full bloom.

The forecast will provide valuable insights into the expected blooming times in various parts of the country, allowing you to time your visit perfectly and immerse yourself in the beauty of this natural phenomenon.

If you happen to miss the hanami (cherry blossom viewing) season in popular destinations like Tokyo or Kyoto, don’t worry. The Tohoku and Hokkaido regions of Japan offer a fantastic alternative.

These areas typically experience a later blooming period, which means you may still have the opportunity to catch the stunning cherry blossoms in 2026.

Cherry blossoms in Nakajima Park, Sapporo. Photo Credit: Kyuhoshi.com.

Now take a look at the cherry blossom forecast for 2025. Please note that these dates are tentative and subject to change.

We will keep updating this table in the upcoming days.

Place	Estimated Average First Bloom	Estimated Average Full Bloom	Current State
Okinawa	Late January	First Week of February through late February
Kawazu	Mid-February	Mid-February through Mid-March
Kumamoto	March 24, 2026	April 1-9, 2026
Nagasaki	March 25, 2026	April 1-9, 2026
Fukouka	March 20, 2026	March 31 - April 7, 2026
Matsuyama	March 21, 2026	April 1-9, 2026
Hiroshima	March 24, 2026	April 2-10, 2026
Kochi	March 21, 2026	March 29 - April 7, 2026
Tokyo	March 20, 2026	March 28 - April 8, 2026
Okayama	March 27, 2026	April 3-11, 2026
Yokohama	March 22, 2026	April 1-9, 2026
Kanazawa	April 1, 2026	April 7-16, 2026
Gifu	March 25, 2026	April 2-10, 2026
Fuji Five Lake Areas	Early April, 2026	Mid April, 2026
Toyama	April 1, 2026	April 5-13, 2026
Nagoya	March 25, 2026	April 2-10, 2026
Hikone	March 30, 2026	April 6-15, 2026
Kyoto	March 26, 2026	April 3-11, 2026
Osaka	March 26, 2026	April 3-11, 2026
Nara	March 26, 2026	April 3-11, 2026
Yoshino	Early April 2026	Mid April 2026
Wakayama	March 25, 2026	April 2-10, 2026
Shizuoka	March 26, 2026	April 3-11, 2026
Niigata	April 6, 2026	April 11-20, 2026
Nagano	April 7, 2026	April 13-22, 2026
Fukushima	April 3, 2026	April 8-15, 2026
Sendai	April 4, 2026	April 9-17, 2026
Aomori (Hirosaki)	April 17, 2026	April 22-30, 2026
Akita (Kakunodate)	April 12, 2026	April 16-24, 2026
Iwate (Kitakami)	April 14, 2026	April 19-26, 2025
Yamagata	April 10, 2026	April 14-22, 2025
Hakodate	April 24, 2026	April 28 - May 4, 2026
Sapporo	April 25, 2026	April 29 - May 5, 2026

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Please visit Weather Map and JMC to get the latest and breaking news on the 2025 cherry blossom forecast of Japan.

We appreciate your time reading this! We sincerely hope that you have a wonderful and memorable spring vacation while exploring Japan.