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Spring in Japan: Cherry Blossom Forecast 2023 Tokyo Station

Spring in Japan: Cherry Blossom Forecast 2023

Where & when to enjoy sakura in Japan
Kagoshima

Springtime in Japan is a tableau of dreamlike scenes. From the latter half of March to as late as early May, the blossoms of Japan's iconic sakura (cherry blossoms) captivate visitors and locals alike, as they light up the length and breadth of Japan in subtle shades of pink splendor

Sakura season begins on the island of Kyushu, southwestern Japan, in March, when daily updates begin to track the sakura front as it progresses northward.

Somei-Yoshino, with their abundance of pale pink blossoms, are the most common trees in Japan; the elegant shidare-zakura, weeping cherry trees, often found in parks and along riverbanks, are another must-see site.

2023 Sakura (cherry blossom) blooming forecast

* date of first bloom
Kushiro, May 4 Sapporo, Apr 15 Aomori, Apr 7 Niigata, Mar 27 Akita, Apr 4 Sendai, Mar 26 Nagano, Mar 28 Tokyo, Mar 14 Nagoya, Mar 17 Kanazawa, Mar 23 Osaka, Mar 19 Hiroshima, Mar 19 Kochi, Mar 17 Fukuoka, Mar 18 Kagoshima, Mar 24

2023 Sakura (cherry blossom) blooming forecast

* date of first bloom
Mid March Late March Mid April Early April Late April May on Kushiro, May 4 Sapporo, Apr 15 Aomori, Apr 7 Akita, Apr 4 Sendai, Mar 26 Niigata, Mar 27 Nagano, Mar 28 Tokyo, Mar 14 Nagoya, Mar 17 Kanazawa, Mar 23 Osaka, Mar 19 Hiroshima, Mar 19 Kochi, Mar 17 Fukuoka, Mar 18 Kagoshima, Mar 24

Source: Japan Weather Association (http://tenki.jp)
Note: The forecast is subject to change due to weather conditions.

Where to see the blooms

Each spring is marked by the loveliness of sakura blooms bursting to life throughout Japan, with countless opportunities available to enjoy their delicate beauty. The warmer climates of Kyushu and Shikoku in the south see the first action in early spring, with late spring viewing in mountain areas, as well as in Tohoku and Hokkaido.

Region Prefecture City 2023 First Bloom* 2023 Trend Average 2022 First Bloom
Hokkaido Hokkaido Sapporo April 15 Very Early May 1 April 23
Kushiro May 4 Very Early May 16 May 8
Tohoku Miyagi Sendai March 26 Very Early April 8 April 8
Akita Akita April 4 Very Early April 17 April 12
Aomori Aomori April 7 Very Early April 22 April 16
Hokuriku Shinetsu Nagano Nagano March 28 Very Early April 11 April 9
Niigata Niigata March 27 Very Early April 8 April 8
Ishikawa Kanazawa March 23 Very Early April 3 March 30
Kanto Tokyo Chiyoda March 14 Very Early March 24 March 20
Tokai Aichi Nagoya March 17 Very Early March 24 March 22
Kansai Osaka Osaka March 19 Very Early March 27 March 23
Chugoku Hiroshima Hiroshima March 19 Early March 25 March 21
Shikoku Kochi Kochi March 17 Early March 22 March 19
Kyushu Kagoshima Kagoshima March 24 Normal March 26 March 20
Fukuoka Fukuoka March 18 Early March 22 March 17

*The estimated date of first bloom in 2023.

Other information includes

See here for more handy sakura information. This includes details of where and when the sakura are in full bloom; lists of locations such as ancient Japanese castles and moats ideal for sakura viewing parties; and rankings of popular viewing spots throughout Japan - Japan Travel and Tourism Association ”miru-navi/SAKURA”

In addition to sakura, each season offers a variety of beautiful flowers such as ume (plum blossoms) in early spring and ajisai (hydrangeas) during the rainy season. For more information click here: Seasonal flowers in Japan throughout the year.

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