Japan cherry blossom season is one of the most anticipated natural events in the world, and 2026 promises to be another spectacular year for sakura lovers. If you are planning a trip to watch blossom bloom, timing is everything. Guided by the latest forecast from the Japan Meteorological Corporation (JMC), travellers can plan their hanami experience with greater confidence and clarity.
Japan Cherry Blossom Season 2026
The season, called hanami in Japanese, is brief, fragile, and profoundly cultural. For a few short weeks, parks and riversides and city streets all over Japan turn into dreamy fields of soft pink and pale lilac blossoms. As the blossoms are short-lived, and vary by region, a forecast date is crucial for those planning to see them at their finest.
The JMC has now published its second cherry blossom forecast for 2026, providing a breakdown of when sakura are expected to bloom and peak in individual Japanese towns and cities that are part of the network’s nearly 1,000 listed viewing spots across 48 Japanese municipalities.
When Will Cherry Blossoms Bloom in Japan in 2026?
The 2026 season is predicted to kick off on March 20 in Tokyo and Nagoya (both cities are located in Aichi Prefecture on Central Honshu Island), as per the newest cherry blossoms map for Japan. These first sakura blossoms are the official heralds of cherry blossom season in Japan.
The city of Tokyo, one the top hanami destinations, is expected to reach full bloom on 27 March, giving tourists a condensed yet breathtaking view of the peak sakura beauty in the capital.
Cherry Blossom Magic
This season sweeps slowly across Japan, progressing from south to north as the temperature rises.
Further south, expect the first blooms in Fukuoka, Hiroshima, and Kochi at around 21 March 2026. Osaka will then come shortly after, with the buds to open on 24 March and the flowers blooming at full bloom by 31 March.
The Kansai region is home to Kyoto, which is known as one of Japan’s most Instagrammed cherry blossom destinations: the sakura are predicted to bloom from 25 March and peak on 1 April. It will be possible to see blossoms in Yokohama, just south of Tokyo, around 21 March; bloom will hit its full stride on 29 March.
Blossoms bloom later in Northern Japan
Up in northern Japan, there’s a much later cherry blossom season, perfect for travellers who happen to miss Tokyo or Kyoto at their peak. Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island, should enjoy its first sakura around 27 April 2026 and be in full bloom by 1 May.
The very last chapter of the Japan cherry blossom season will be written in Muroran, Hokkaido is forecast to reach full bloom around 3 May, 2026. This long season means that tourists will have close to six weeks to take in the cherry blossoms at some point across Japan.
JMC Cherry Blossom Bloom Prediction
What makes the JMC forecast so accurate is its scientific underpinnings. The cherry blossom forecast takes into consideration a number of variables, such as when the cherry trees begin to grow, historical blooming trends and temperature conditions in both autumn and winter. These factors enable experts to predict not only peak bloom dates, but also the steady march toward full flowering.
To help travellers plan their trips, the JMC also offers a cherry blossom blooming meter that counts down in real time starting on the first day of the season. It is a particularly handy tool for travellers already in Japan as they can modify their itineraries according to when the flowers are confidently expected to bloom.
Planning Your trip in 2026
Now that this is providing easy e-visas for many visitors, it’s never been easier to plan a cherry blossom trip in 2026. Yet the beauty of sakura also comes with difficulties. Cherry blossom sites are often overrun with visitors during the peak season for the blossoms, and accommodation prices can go through the roof.
- To use your trip to its fullest:
- Book flights and hotels early
- Stay flexible with travel dates
- Opt for second-tier cities for a less chaotic cherry blossom experience
Final Thoughts
This season reminds us of nature’s beauty and temporality. Whether you’re wandering beneath sakura trees in Tokyo, admiring temple views in Kyoto, or seeking out late blooms elsewhere on Hokkaido, cherry blossom season is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.