Done with winter? Get ready for the 2024 cherry blossom season with this year’s up-to-date Japan cherry blossom forecast.

Japan cherry blossom blooming dates 2024 map
Japan 2024 cherry blossom forecast. Last updated: March 28, 2024. | Photo by Japan Meteorological Corporation

The Japanese archipelago runs on a roughly southwest to northeast axis, therefore the spring warmth — and the cherry blossoms — travel up the country from bottom to top.

Pro tip: See our guide to Japan’s number 1 cherry blossom spot.

Before we go any further: Please remember that this is just a forecast. Individual trees, different sub-regions, and the weather (wind and rain especially) may affect flowering times. Also, check back regularly, because the cherry blossom season forecast is updated frequently.

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Below is the tenth 2024 sakura forecast for major cities in Japan, including the date when the cherry blossoms are expected to be in full bloom. Planning to stick around Tokyo? We’ve got you covered with details on Tokyo area cherry blossom season dates.

2024 Japan cherry blossom forecast for major cities

Last updated: March 28, 2024

Kyūshū cherry blossoms

CityMarchApril
Fukuoka cherry blossomsStart: March 27thFull bloom: April 2nd
Kagoshima cherry blossomsStart: March 29thFull bloom: April 7th

Shikoku and Chūgoku cherry blossoms

CityMarchApril
Kōchi cherry blossomsStart: March 23rd
Full bloom: March 28th
Hiroshima cherry blossomsStart: March 25th Full bloom: April 2nd

Kansai cherry blossoms

CityMarchApril
Kyoto cherry blossomsStart: March 29th Full bloom: April 3rd
Osaka cherry blossomsStart: March 28thFull bloom: April 3rd
Wakayama cherry blossomsStart: March 29th Full bloom: April 2nd
Kōbe cherry blossomsStart: March 28thFull bloom: April 3rd
Nara cherry blossomsStart: March 29th Full bloom: April 2nd

Chūbu cherry blossoms

CityMarchApril
Nagoya cherry blossomsStart: March 28th Full bloom: April 2nd
Shizuoka cherry blossomsStart: March 29th Full bloom: April 4th
Kanazawa cherry blossomsStart: March 31stFull bloom: April 5th
Niigata cherry blossomsStart: April 4th
Full bloom: April 9th
Nagano cherry blossomsStart: April 4th
Full bloom: April 9th

Kantō cherry blossoms

CityMarchApril
Tokyo cherry blossomsStart: March 29th Full bloom: April 1st
Yokohama cherry blossomsStart: March 29th Full bloom: April 3rd

Tōhoku cherry blossoms

CityMarchApril
Sendai cherry blossomsStart: April 2ndFull bloom: April 7th
Yamagata cherry blossomsStart: April 7th
Full bloom: April 11th
Aomori cherry blossomsStart: April 14th
Full bloom: April 18th

Hokkaidō cherry blossoms

CityMarchAprilMay
Hakodate cherry blossomsStart: April 23rd
Full bloom: April 27th
Sapporo cherry blossomsStart: April 26th
Full bloom: April 30th
Muroran cherry blossomsStart: April 28thFull bloom: May 4th

Cherry blossom forecast data provided by the Japan Meteorological Corporation.

Cherry blossom season in Japan: Average bloom dates

Wondering how this year compares to previous cherry blossom seasons in Japan? We’ve put together a map of the average bloom dates across the country, based on data from the last 30 years.

cherry blossom season Japan - map
Photo by Aimee Gardner

If you can’t get out for hanami in March/April, fear not! There are various other varieties of sakura such as yaezakura, which flower 3 to 4 weeks after the most popular yoshino variety.

While we do our best to ensure it’s correct, information is subject to change. Last updated on March 28, 2024 by Carey Finn.

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