Written by Greg Lane
Researched by Carey Finn
Done with winter? Get ready for the 2026 cherry blossom season with the latest Japan cherry blossom forecast.
News: Japan cherry blossoms are expected to appear earlier than usual in 2026!
Keep in mind: 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. Check out the cherry-blossom timeline, from bud to bloom.
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 most up-to-date 2026 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.
2026 Japan cherry blossom forecast for major cities
Last updated: March 19, 2026
Kyūshū cherry blossoms
| City | First flowering | Peak |
|---|---|---|
| Fukuoka cherry blossoms | Start: March 20th | Full bloom: March 29th |
| Kagoshima cherry blossoms | Start: March 25th | Full bloom: April 5th |
Shikoku and Chūgoku cherry blossoms
| City | First flowering | Peak |
|---|---|---|
| Kōchi cherry blossoms | Start: March 16th | Full bloom: March 25th |
| Hiroshima cherry blossoms | Start: March 19th | Full bloom: March 30th |
Kansai cherry blossoms
| City | First flowering | Peak |
|---|---|---|
| Kyoto cherry blossoms | Start: March 23rd | Full bloom: March 31st |
| Osaka cherry blossoms | Start: March 24th | Full bloom: March 31st |
| Wakayama cherry blossoms | Start: March 26th | Full bloom: April 2nd |
| Kōbe cherry blossoms | Start: March 27th | Full bloom: April 3rd |
| Nara cherry blossoms | Start: March 24th | Full bloom: March 31st |
Chūbu cherry blossoms
| City | First flowering | Peak |
|---|---|---|
| Nagoya cherry blossoms | Start: March 17th | Full bloom: March 27th |
| Shizuoka cherry blossoms | Start: March 20th | Full bloom: March 28th |
| Kanazawa cherry blossoms | Start: April 1st | Full bloom: April 6th |
| Niigata cherry blossoms | Start: April 4th | Full bloom: April 8th |
| Nagano cherry blossoms | Start: April 3rd | Full bloom: April 8th |
Kantō cherry blossoms
| City | First flowering | Peak |
|---|---|---|
| Tokyo cherry blossoms | Start: March 19th | Full bloom: March 26th |
| Yokohama cherry blossoms | Start: March 22nd | Full bloom: March 28th |
Tōhoku cherry blossoms
| City | First flowering | Peak |
|---|---|---|
| Sendai cherry blossoms | Start: April 2nd | Full bloom: April 7th |
| Yamagata cherry blossoms | Start: April 6th | Full bloom: April 11th |
| Aomori cherry blossoms | Start: April 16th | Full bloom: April 21st |
Hokkaidō cherry blossoms
| City | First flowering | Peak |
|---|---|---|
| Hakodate cherry blossoms | Start: April 22nd | Full bloom: April 26th |
| Sapporo cherry blossoms | Start: April 24th | Full bloom: April 28th |
| Muroran cherry blossoms | Start: April 25th | Full bloom: April 30th |
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 24, 2026, by Carey Finn.
