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

Japan 2024 cherry blossom forecast. Last updated: March 14, 2024.
Japan 2024 cherry blossom forecast. Last updated: March 14, 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 seventh 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 14, 2024

Kyūshū cherry blossoms

CityMarchApril
Fukuoka cherry blossomsStart: March 22nd
Full bloom: March 31st
Kagoshima cherry blossomsStart: March 30thFull bloom: April 9th

Shikoku and Chūgoku cherry blossoms

CityMarchApril
Kōchi cherry blossomsStart: March 19th
Full bloom: March 28th
Hiroshima cherry blossomsStart: March 24thFull bloom: April 2nd

Kansai cherry blossoms

CityMarchApril
Kyoto cherry blossomsStart: March 25thFull bloom: April 2nd
Osaka cherry blossomsStart: March 27thFull bloom: April 3rd
Wakayama cherry blossomsStart: March 24thFull bloom: April 1st
Kōbe cherry blossomsStart: March 27thFull bloom: April 4th
Nara cherry blossomsStart: March 26thFull bloom: April 2nd

Chūbu cherry blossoms

CityMarchApril
Nagoya cherry blossomsStart: March 22ndFull bloom: April 1st
Shizuoka cherry blossomsStart: March 26th Full bloom: April 4th
Kanazawa cherry blossomsStart: April 1st
Full bloom: April 7th
Niigata cherry blossomsStart: April 6th
Full bloom: April 11th
Nagano cherry blossomsStart: April 6th
Full bloom: April 11th

Kantō cherry blossoms

CityMarchApril
Tokyo cherry blossomsStart: March 24th
Full bloom: March 31st
Yokohama cherry blossomsStart: March 28th Full bloom: April 4th

Tōhoku cherry blossoms

CityMarchApril
Sendai cherry blossomsStart: April 4th
Full bloom: April 9th
Yamagata cherry blossomsStart: April 8th
Full bloom: April 12th
Aomori cherry blossomsStart: April 17th
Full bloom: April 21st

Hokkaidō cherry blossoms

CityMarchAprilMay
Hakodate cherry blossomsStart: April 27th Full bloom: May 1st
Sapporo cherry blossomsStart: April 30thFull bloom: May 3rd
Muroran cherry blossomsStart: May 2nd
Full bloom: May 7th

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 14, 2024 by Carey Finn.

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