🌸 When Will Sakura Bloom in Japan This Spring (2026)? — Latest Forecast & Travel Guide

🌸 Sakura Season Might Start Earlier Than Usual

Japan’s cherry blossom season typically begins in late March, moving northward through April and into early May. According to forecasts based on data from the Japan Meteorological Corporation (JMC) and other meteorological sources, 2026 is shaping up to be slightly earlier than average in many regions due to warmer spring temperatures.

Also check this article 👉 Top 5 Sakura Spots Accessible with the JR Osaka–Tokyo Hokuriku Arch Pass (with 2026 Hanami Dates)

📍 Sakura Bloom Forecast by City (Early Projection)

🌸 Tokyo

• First bloom: Around March 19–20

• Full bloom (Mankai): Around March 26–27

• Best for city parks, riverside walks, and urban hanami spots.

🌸 Nagoya

• First bloom: Around March 19–20

• Full bloom (Mankai): Around March 28–29

• Slightly later than Tokyo, offering a small buffer for travelers.

🌸 Kyoto

• First bloom: Around March 24–25

• Full bloom (Mankai): Around March 31

• Ideal timing for temples, shrines, and traditional hanami scenery.

🌸 Osaka

• First bloom: Around March 24

• Full bloom (Mankai): Around March 31

• Great for castle parks and riverside cherry blossom views.

🌸 Fukuoka

• First bloom: Around March 20–21

• Full bloom (Mankai): Around March 29–30

• One of the earliest major cities to enjoy sakura in spring.

🌸 Sendai (Tohoku Region)

• First bloom: Around April 5

• Full bloom (Mankai): Around April 10

• Perfect for travelers arriving slightly later in the season.

🌸 Sapporo (Hokkaido)

• First bloom: Around April 27–28

• Full bloom (Mankai): Around May 1

• Ideal for late-spring cherry blossom trips and Golden Week travel.

📌 Note:
These dates are early forecasts and may shift as updated cherry blossom predictions are released closer to spring.

🗾 How the Cherry Blossom “Front” Moves

Sakura blooms start in southern and central Japan (like Kyushu and Kansai) in late March, then sweep north through central Honshu (Tokyo region) by late March. Finally, northern areas like Tohoku and Hokkaido experience blossoms from mid-April to early May. This progression — often called the sakura front — offers opportunities to enjoy blooms over several weeks if you plan a travel route accordingly.

📅 Best Time to Plan Your Trip

If you’re planning a trip around sakura season:

• Late March – early April is ideal for Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and central Japan.

• Early to mid-April works best for Tohoku (e.g., Sendai).

• Late April – early May is peak for Hokkaido (like Sapporo).

Booking early — especially flights and hotels — is highly recommended, as these weeks are peak travel season in Japan.

📸 Why Sakura Season Matters

For locals and travelers alike, sakura is more than a flower — it’s a cultural symbol of spring and renewal. Hanami (flower-viewing) parties under blooming trees are a cherished tradition, combining food, festivities, and breathtaking scenery in parks, temples, and along rivers throughout Japan.

📌 Source Highlights

• Latest cherry blossom forecasts and projections for Japan’s 2026 season indicate an earlier bloom compared to average in many regions, driven by expected warm weather in March and April.

• Detailed bloom projections and regional timing based on meteorological data from JMC and other travel sources.