2026 Japan Cherry Blossom Forecast: Best Times and Places to Visit (Forecast Map)

Last Updated on April 8, 2026 by Vlad

Cherry blossom season 2026 has swept through most of Japan faster than many expected. As of today, virtually everything from Tokyo south through Kansai and Tohoku has already peaked. The Mt Fuji area is the last spot at peak bloom right now, with Aomori, Hakodate, and Sapporo still to come later this month.

Based on the Japan Meteorological Corporation‘s 11th forecast (released 2nd of April 2026), here’s where things stand:

Key dates for 2026 (9th Forecast):

• Tokyo: first bloom 19 March ✅, full bloom 27 March ✅ (past peak)
• Kyoto: first bloom 23 March ✅, full bloom 30 March ✅ (past peak)
• Osaka: first bloom 26 March ✅, full bloom 3 April ✅ (past peak)
• Sapporo: first bloom 20 April, full bloom 25 April (upcoming)

Still planning a trip? Plenty of sakura left. The season runs all the way to late April in Hokkaido. You can check out my Where to see Cherry Blossoms in April guide.

Understanding the Japan Cherry Blossom Forecast

Cherry blossom forecasts track two key dates:

1. Flowering Date (Kaika): When the first 5-6 blossoms appear on official observation trees
2. Full Bloom Date (Mankai): When about 80% of the blossoms are open

The blooming season typically moves from south to north across Japan, influenced by latitude, elevation, and weather conditions. Peak bloom typically lasts just 5-7 days at each location (wind and rain can cut it even shorter).

What’s new in 2026: The JMC is incorporating artificial intelligence alongside traditional weather pattern analysis, providing earlier and more accurate sakura forecasts than previous years.

2026 Cherry Blossom Forecast by Region

Tokyo and Surrounding Areas Cherry Blossoms 2026

Tokyo has passed peak bloom, as well as Yokohama.

• Tokyo: Flowering 19 March ✅, Full Bloom 27 March ✅ (past peak)
• Yokohama: Flowering 22 March ✅, Full Bloom 1 April ✅ (past peak)

Tokyo spots:

Location	First Bloom	Full Bloom	Status
Shinjuku Gyoen	18 March	29 March	Past peak
Yasukuni Shrine	19 March	27 March	Past peak
Ueno Park	20 March	27 March	Past peak
Meguro River	20 March	28 March	Past peak
Inokashira Park	20 March	28 March	Past peak
Chidori-ga-fuchi	22 March	28 March	Past peak
Yoyogi Park	22 March	29 March	Past peak

Tokyo's petals are falling now - the hanakaze (petal snowfall) and green leaves coming through make for beautiful photos even after peak. But if you're heading to Tokyo specifically for peak bloom, you've missed the window for this year.

Want to experience night-time cherry blossom viewing for a completely different experience?👉 Check my Yozakura guide

2026 Central Japan (Chubu) Cherry Blossoms Forecast

Kanazawa and Nagano have just approached peak right now. The Mt Fuji area is at peak bloom too - the next 2 to 3 days are still good.

• Nagoya: Flowering 17 March ✅, Full Bloom 30 March ✅ (past peak)
• Kanazawa: Flowering 29 March ✅, Full Bloom ✅ (past peak)
• Nagano: Flowering 31 March ✅, Full Bloom 6 April 🌸 (just passed peak)
• Mt Fuji Area (Lake Kawaguchi): Flowering 1 April ✅, Full Bloom 7 April 🌸 (just started yesterday)

Hidden Gem: Takato Castle Ruins Park (Nagano) – One of Japan's top cherry blossom spots with stunning mountain views, but far less crowded than the major cities.

Mt Fuji Cherry Blossoms: The Lake Kawaguchi and Lake Yamanaka area is just coming into bloom now. Perfect timing if you're heading to the Mt Fuji area this week. Best viewing spots:. Best viewing spots:

• Chureito Pagoda (Fujiyoshida): Flowering 1 April ✅, Full Bloom 8 April 🌸
• Kawaguchiko Shore: Flowering 1 April ✅, Full Bloom 7 April 🌸

Kansai Region Cherry Blossoms 2026

Kyoto has passed peak — but Osaka is right at full bloom now, and Kobe still has a few days to go.

• Kyoto: Flowering 23 March ✅, Full Bloom 30 March ✅ (past peak)
• Osaka: Flowering 26 March ✅, Full Bloom 3 April ✅ (past peak)
• Nara: Flowering 24 March ✅, Full Bloom 31 March ✅ (past peak)
• Kobe: Flowering 27 March ✅, Full Bloom 5 April 🌸 (just passed peak)

Hidden Gem: Heian Shrine (Kyoto) (Flowering 21 March, Full Bloom 30 March) - Already past peak, but still some beautiful with petals on the ground. The vermillion gates are stunning at any stage of bloom.

Western Japan Cherry Blossoms 2026

Western Japan has passed its peak.

• Hiroshima: Flowering 19 March ✅, Full Bloom 30 March ✅ (past peak)
• Fukuoka: Flowering 24 March ✅, Full Bloom 3 April ✅ (past peak)
• Matsuyama: Flowering 24 March ✅, Full Bloom 4 April ✅ (past peak)
• Nagasaki: Flowering 27 March ✅, Full Bloom 3 April ✅ (past peak)

Hidden Gem: Himeji Castle (Hyogo) (Flowering 24 March, Full Bloom 31 March) - past peak.

Northern Japan (Tohoku) Cherry Blossoms 2026

Tohoku is where the action is now. Sendai and Fukushima have just passed peak w with Aomori and its famous Hirosaki Castle still around 10 days away.

• Fukushima: Flowering 29 March ✅, Full Bloom 3 April ✅ (past peak)
• Sendai: Flowering 31 March ✅, Full Bloom 4 April ✅ (past peak)
• Yamagata: Flowering 4 April 🌸, Full Bloom 6 April 🌸 (just passed peak)
• Aomori: Flowering 15 April, Full Bloom 19 April (upcoming)

If you can get to Tohoku this week, you'll hit Sendai and Fukushima at peak and Yamagata just opening - a brilliant multi-stop cherry blossom itinerary with a fraction of the crowds of Tokyo and Kyoto.

2026 Hokkaido Cherry Blossoms Forecast

Hokkaido Cherry Blossoms 2026

Japan's final blooms are still 2 weeks away - worth planning now if you want to end your sakura season in style.

• Hakodate: Flowering 18 April, Full Bloom 23 April
• Sapporo: Flowering 20 April, Full Bloom 25 April

Hidden Gem: Goryokaku Park (Hakodate) - A star-shaped fort surrounded by cherry trees that looks incredible from the observation tower. Nothing else like it in Japan.

Where is Sakura Season Right Now? (7 April 2026)

Region	Status
Tokyo / Nagoya / Kyoto / Hiroshima	✅ Past peak
Osaka / Fukuoka / Kanazawa / Sendai / Fukushima	✅ Past peak
Yokohama / Nagasaki / Matsuyama / Kobe	✅ Past peak
Yamagata / Nagano	✅ Past peak
Mt Fuji area (Lake Kawaguchi / Chureito)	🌸 Peak bloom NOW
Aomori / Hakodate / Sapporo	📅 Upcoming — mid to late April

Best Time to Visit Japan for Cherry Blossoms in 2026

Region	Best Viewing Window	Key Cities
Tokyo / Nagoya	19 – 30 March ✅	Tokyo, Nagoya
Kyoto / Kansai	23 March – 5 April	Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Kobe
Western Japan	19 March – 4 April	Fukuoka, Hiroshima
Mt Fuji Area	1 – 8 April	Lake Kawaguchi, Chureito
Kanazawa / Nagano	29 March – 6 April	Kanazawa, Nagano
Tohoku	29 March – 19 April	Sendai, Fukushima, Aomori
Hokkaido	18 April – 1 May	Hakodate, Sapporo

Practical Tips for Cherry Blossom Season in Japan

Heading to Japan now? The Mt Fuji area - Lake Kawaguchi and Chureito Pagoda - is at peak right now and worth making a beeline for. After that, the season shifts to Tohoku (Aomori and Hirosaki Castle around 15–19 April) and then Hokkaido through late April. Tokyo and Kyoto are well past peak but still lovely with fresh green leaves coming through.

Weather in early April: Temperatures in early April can still swing between 8°C and 18°C, especially in Tohoku and the Mt Fuji area. Pack layers. Rain is common and can strip petals fast - so if it's looking good, get out there sooner rather than later.

Hanami picnics are part of the experience: Grab some bento boxes, drinks, and a picnic blanket and settle in under the cherry trees. Convenience stores (konbini) sell everything you need, and many parks have food stalls during peak season. Just remember to take your rubbish with you. Check out my full Convenience Store Hanami Guide.

When's the Next Forecast Update?

The JMC's 12th forecast is due on 7th of April 2026. I will keep this post updated as such.

You can follow the official forecasts at:

• Japan Meteorological Corporation English forecast

Final Thoughts

The 2026 sakura season has been a cracker. Blooms arrived earlier than average across most of Japan, and the season is now rolling steadily north through Tohoku toward Hokkaido. If you're in Japan right now, there's still plenty to see - just head north.

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Have questions about planning your cherry blossom trip? Drop them in the comments below.