Written by Greg Lane
Done with winter? Get ready for the 2025 cherry blossom season with this year’s up-to-date Japan cherry blossom forecast.
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.
Below is the first 2025 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.
2025 Japan cherry blossom forecast for major cities
Last updated: March 21, 2025
Kyūshū cherry blossoms
| City | March | April |
|---|---|---|
| Fukuoka cherry blossoms | Start: March 26th | Full bloom: April 4th |
| Kagoshima cherry blossoms | Start: March 25th | Full bloom: April 5th |
Shikoku and Chūgoku cherry blossoms
| City | March | April |
|---|---|---|
| Kōchi cherry blossoms | Start: March 25th | Full bloom: April 2nd |
| Hiroshima cherry blossoms | Start: March 28th | Full bloom: April 6th |
Kansai cherry blossoms
| City | March | April |
|---|---|---|
| Kyoto cherry blossoms | Start: March 29th | Full bloom: April 6th |
| Osaka cherry blossoms | Start: March 29th | Full bloom: April 6th |
| Wakayama cherry blossoms | Start: March 28th | Full bloom: April 5th |
| Kōbe cherry blossoms | Start: March 30th | Full bloom: April 7th |
| Nara cherry blossoms | Start: March 31st | Full bloom: April 7th |
Chūbu cherry blossoms
| City | March | April |
|---|---|---|
| Nagoya cherry blossoms | Start: March 26th | Full bloom: April 5th |
| Shizuoka cherry blossoms | Start: March 26th | Full bloom: April 4th |
| Kanazawa cherry blossoms | – | Start: April 4th Full bloom: April 9th |
| Niigata cherry blossoms | – | Start: April 7th Full bloom: April 12th |
| Nagano cherry blossoms | – | Start: April 11th Full bloom: April 15th |
Kantō cherry blossoms
| City | March | April |
|---|---|---|
| Tokyo cherry blossoms | Start: March 24th Full bloom: March 31st | – |
| Yokohama cherry blossoms | Start: March 26th | Full bloom: April 2nd |
Tōhoku cherry blossoms
| City | March | April |
|---|---|---|
| Sendai cherry blossoms | – | Start: April 5th Full bloom: April 10th |
| Yamagata cherry blossoms | – | Start: April 11th Full bloom: April 15th |
| Aomori cherry blossoms | – | Start: April 18th Full bloom: April 22nd |
Hokkaidō cherry blossoms
| City | March | April | May |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hakodate cherry blossoms | – | Start: April 24th Full bloom: April 28th | – |
| Sapporo cherry blossoms | – | Start: April 26th Full bloom: April 30th | – |
| Muroran cherry blossoms | – | Start: April 29th | Full 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.
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 21, by Jane Pipkin.
