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Cherry Blossom in Japan
2021 forecast and everything you need for sakura seaosn
Cherry Blossom in Japan
2021 Sakura Forecast
Cherry Blossom
Forecast 2021
Sakura enthusiasts, rejoice! Japan's cherry blossom forecast is out for 2021. The sakura are expected to bloom earlier than in years previous.
Mid to late March will see most trees blooming south of Tokyo and Chiba, while more northern prefectures can expect to see the fluttering pink petals as late as early May in Hokkaido. Exact blossoming dates vary regionally, so be sure to check the area dates below.
Plan the perfect trip around these sakura dates and experience the arrival of spring in spectacular style!
Forecast
| Current state | Opening | Best timing | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo | Finished | March 15 | March 22 to 30 |
| Kyoto | Finished | March 22 | March 28 to April 5 |
| Osaka | Finished | March 22 | March 28 to April 5 |
| Nagoya | Finished | March 16 | March 23 to 31 |
| Fukuoka | Finished | March 13 | March 21 to 29 |
Due to the pandemic, some cherry blossom events and festivals may be cancelled or scaled back in 2021 — please always check in advance with the official site.
Cherry blossom by region
Discover the dates and top cherry blossom spots in Japan, from Hokkaido in the north to Okinawa in the south. Learn more with our regional cherry blossom guides or take a closer look at the 2021 regional forecast.
Cherry Blossom in Kanto
Japan's Kanto region is home to some fantastic sakura spots, with Ueno Park, Shinjuku Gyoen, and Naka-Meguro being hugely popular. Further afield, Kamakura, Hakone, and parts of Saitama, Chiba, and Ibaraki are also worth exploring.
Cherry blossom spots in KantoForecast
| Area | Current state | Opening | Best timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo | Finished | March 15 | March 22 to 30 |
| Yokohama | Finished | March 16 | March 23 to 31 |
Cherry Blossom in Kansai
Kyoto looks especially stunning during this time of year, with places like Arashiyama and its yo-zakura tradition of evening light-ups and hanami events amid the pink foliage. Nara's Mount Yoshino and the Osaka Castle area also promise beautiful cherry blossoms.
Cherry blossom spots in KansaiForecast
| Area | Current state | Opening | Best timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kobe | Finished | March 22 | March 28 to April 5 | Kyoto | Finished | March 22 | March 28 to April 5 |
| Osaka | Finished | March 22 | March 28 to April 5 |
| Nara | Finished | March 23 | March 29 to April 6 |
Cherry Blossom in Tohoku
Tohoku sees a later bloom than most of Japan. The castle moat in Aomori's Hirosaki is one highlight. Also check out Fukushima's Hanamiyama, Iwate's Takamatsu Park, and Miyagi's picturesque Hitome Senbon Zakura that are also worth stopping by.
Cherry blossom spots in TohokuForecast
| Area | Current state | Opening | Best timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aomori | Finished | April 16 | April 20 to 28 |
| Kakunodate | Finished | April 19 | April 22 to May 1 |
| Fukushima | Finished | April 1 | April 4 to 12 |
| Miyagi | Finished | April 2 | April 7 to 15 |
Cherry Blossom in Chubu
Enjoy the best cherry blossom sights in Chubu, from Ishikawa's Kenroku-en Garden to the Fuji Reien Cemetery in Shizuoka.
Cherry blossom spots in ChubuForecast
| Area | Current state | Opening | Best timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nagoya | Finished | March 16 | March 23 to 31 |
| Nagano | Finished | March 31 | April 6 to 10 |
| Niigata | Finished | March 31 | April 5 to 11 |
| Shizuoka | Finished | March 20 | March 29 to April 5 |
| Yamanashi | Finished | March 20 | March 29 to April 5 |
Cherry Blossom in Hokkaido
Hokkaido's cherry blossoms visit later than the rest of Japan, but they promise amazing highlights such Goryokaku Park enveloped in pink blossoms or Sapporo's many parks, such as Moerenuma Park, Maruyama Park, and Makomanai Park; there are also fantastic spots around Asahikawa (Asahikawa Park), Furano, and Otaru.
Cherry blossom spots in HokkaidoForecast
| Area | Current state | Opening | Best timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hakodate | Finished | April 25 | April 29 to May 5 |
| Obihiro | Finished | May 1 | May 3 to 10 |
| Sapporo | Finished | April 27 | May 1 to 8 |
Cherry Blossom in Chugoku
Popular hanami hotspots here include the Kintaikyo in Yamaguchi's Iwakuni, Okayama's Korakuen Garden, Tsuyama Castle, Hiroshima's Senkoji Park, and Tottori's Castle Park.
Cherry blossom spots in ChugokuForecast
| Area | Current state | Opening | Best timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hiroshima | Finished | March 16 | March 26 to April 3 |
| Matsue | Finished | March 19 | March 28 to April 4 |
| Okayama | Finished | March 21 | March 26 to April 2 |
| Shimonoseki | Finished | March 16 | March 25 to April 1 |
Cherry Blossom in Shikoku
Shikoku enjoys some spectacular cherry blossom spots when the blooms arrive in late March. As well as the view of sakura against the Seto Inland Sea from atop Shiudeyama, Ehime's Matsuyama Park, and Kochi's Hyotan Zakura—a 500-year-old tree—are considered cherry blossom highlights.
Cherry blossom spots in ShikokuForecast
| Area | Current state | Opening | Best timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kochi | Finished | March 17 | March 26 to April 2 |
| Matsuyama | Finished | March 16 | March 25 to April 1 |
| Takamatsu | Finished | March 18 | March 26 to April 2 |
Cherry Blossom in Kyushu
The southern island of Kyushu is full of natural beauty and boasts many stunning cherry blossom spots waiting to be discovered, from Kumamoto's Suizenji Garden to Maizuru Park at Fukuoka's castle ruins.
Cherry blossom spots in KyushuForecast
| Area | Current state | Opening | Best timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fukuoka | Finished | March 20 | March 30 to April 4 |
| Kagoshima | Finished | March 12 | March 21 to 28 |
| Kumamoto | Finished | March 16 | March 25 to April 3 |
| Miyazaki | Finished | March 18 | March 28 to April 4 |
| Nagasaki | Finished | March 15 | March 24 to 31 |
Cherry Blossom in Okinawa
Okinawa seems some of the earliest cherry blossoms in Japan, thanks to its location to the far south. The blooms typically start in mid-January and finish by early February. There are cherry blossom festivals at various hotspots, such as Naha, Nago, Yaese, Nakijin castle ruins, and Motobe Yaedake.
Cherry blossom spots in OkinawaForecast
| Area | Current state | Opening | Best timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miyakojima | Finished | Jan 16 | Feb 10 to Feb 25 |
| Naha | Finished | Jan 4 | Feb 1 to Feb 15 |
Photo: soi7studio / Shutterstock
What is Hanami?
Hanami—literally "flower viewing"—is the Japanese tradition of visiting and admiring the cherry and plum blossom each Spring.
Cue a rush to find the best seating position underneath the cherry trees, as half of Japan heads to the parks to go drinking under the trees! From midday family picnics to evening parties under sakura illuminations, expect Japan to be a little busier during this period.
Find out more about hanami with our guide.
How to hanamiWeather around Tokyo
- Mar 5° - 12°
- Apr 10° - 17°
- May 14° - 21°
Learn more about cherry blossom
Find out all you need to know about Japan's cherry blossom, and the top things to do during Spring in Japan. Seeing the full bloom in Japan can be considered one of the best times of year to visit Japan, with beautiful foliage and warmer weather also playing their part. It helps to plan ahead and book as early as possible, as it is considered peak season for travel too.
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