According to the Japan Meteorological Agency's latest announcement on 7/3, cherry blossoms in Tokyo are expected to open on 18/3, three days earlier than previously forecast. Kochi, on the southern island of Shikoku, will follow on 19/3.
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A popular cherry blossom viewing spot near Mount Fuji. Photo: Sakuraco. |
A popular cherry blossom viewing spot near Mount Fuji. Photo: Sakuraco.
Beyond Tokyo, other regions such as Nagoya and Shizuoka anticipate blossoms around 20/3, with areas west of Tokyo reaching full bloom by late March. Further north in Japan, including Sendai and Sapporo, the bloom period will be later, typically around April. These forecasts indicate an earlier start compared to previous years.
The earlier bloom forecast is attributed to warmer weather across Japan last week, which aided bud development. The forecast for next week predicts clear and sunny conditions, expected to accelerate bud growth further.
The Japan Meteorological Agency and Weathernews regularly publish cherry blossom season forecasts early in the year, continuously updating them based on weather patterns. This helps tourists accurately plan their visits to Japan.
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Detailed cherry blossom forecast for some Japanese prefectures in 2026. Source: JNTO. |
Detailed cherry blossom forecast for some Japanese prefectures in 2026. Source: JNTO.
The cherry blossom season is one of Japan's busiest tourist periods, attracting many visitors, including those from Vietnam. Vietnamese tour operators have finalized tours to Japan for late March and early April. A popular tour typically covers Osaka - Kyoto - Toyohashi - Mount Fuji - Tokyo over six days and five nights, with prices around 40 million VND per person.
This year, the Fujiyoshida city government, located near Mount Fuji in central Japan, announced the cancellation of the cherry blossom festival at Arakurayama Sengen Park. This decision stems from concerns about tourist disruption affecting local residents' lives. Arakurayama Sengen Park is one of Japan's most famous cherry blossom viewing spots near Mount Fuji.
Japan boasts hundreds of cherry blossom varieties, with Somei-Yoshino and Shidare-zakura being the most common. Somei-Yoshino features large, pale pink flowers, while Shidare-zakura is known for its weeping branches, often found in parks and along riverbanks.
Tam Anh (according to Soranews24, JNTO)
