Cherry BlossomsSeasonal Attractions

Cherry Blossom (Sakura) Forecast for Japan 2016

Cherry blossom (sakura) forecast was released by Weather mapAgain in 2016, Tokyo Direct Guide translates it into English and keep updating this article!

Full-blooming Cherry Blossoms in Ueno Park, Tokyo, Japan, in 2015

I’m going to update THIS article whenever the latest information is released. I do NOT delete old forecasts so that you can see how it changed during the season. When there is some change, I’ll also let you know on Facebook and Twitter as I did last year.





Forecast released on 22 January (* This has changed. Please go down for the latest forecast.)
Tokyo: Start to open on 26 March / Reach to peak on 2 April
Osaka: 28 March / 5 April
Kyoto: 28 March / 4 April
Nara: 29 March / 4 April
Nagoya: 26 March / 3 April
Hiroshima: 27 March/ 4 April
Fukuoka: 23 March / 2 April

Forecast for Niigata, Nagano, and North East Japan will be released on 4 Feb.

Until sakura season, let’s explore how it is like when cherry blossoms are fully blooming. These links will open in a new window to make it easy to go back to this page.

2015
Cherry Blossom (Sakura) Forecast for Japan 2015

Sakura Matsuri (Cherry Blossom Festival) Ueno, Japan – Why You Shouldn’t Miss Shinobazu Pond! – MY RECOMMENDATION!!

Imperial Palace / Chidorigafuchi Sakura Matsuri (cherryblossom festival) – Photos & Tourist Info

Cherry Blossoms for Travelers Visiting Japan Earlier than Standard Sakura

The Full-Blooming Weeping Cherry Tree in the Japanese Garden of Rikugien – photos & reports

Tokyo’s Cherry Blossom (Sakura) Spot – Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens

Cherry Blossoms for Travelers Visiting Japan Later than Standard Sakura

Trip Planning Advice for Cherry Blossom (Sakura) Festival Visitors to Japan by a Local

2014
Tokyo Cherry Blossoms Information 2014 (Chidorigafuchi & Imperial Palace)

Tokyo Cherry Blossoms Information 2014 (Ueno Park)

Tokyo’s Sakura (Cherry Blossom) Spots Part 1: Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden

Tokyo’s Sakura (Cherry Blossom) Spots Part 2: Asakusa & Sumida Riverside

Talking about Japanese natural beauty, cherry blossom season is the best of bests.
Let’s wait for most beautiful spring days in Japan with Tokyo Direct Guide!!

(Updated on 4 February)

Forecast for Niigata, Nagano, and North East Japan was released today. At the same time, forecast for Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto changed a little.
Niigata: 10 April / 15 April
Nagano: 11 April / 16 April
These two are known as cold cities in Central Japan. Niigata is the neighboring prefecture to Kanazawa city, which is enthusiastically inviting travelers these days.

Sendai: 10 April / 14 April
Yamagata: 14 April / 18 April
Fukushima: 8 April / 12 April
Forecast for other cities in North East Japan, including Akita, Aomori, will be updated on 18 February. Sendai is the biggest city in North East Japan, which is famous for its tanabata star festival in August.

Last, here is the latest forecast that has changed.
Tokyo: 27 March / 2 April
Osaka: 29 March / 5 April
Kyoto: 28 March / 5 April
So it became 1 day later than the original forecast released on 22 January. It is not a big difference.

Weather Map predicts that cherry blossom season will be average or later than average years because the period of last November to mid January was one of the warmest winter in the Japanese history and cherry buds are considered to have difficulties to wake up for spring.

The next regular update will be out on 18 February. See you next time!

(Updated on 18 February)

Forecast for North Japan started and that for Tokyo changed.

Aomori: 22 April / 26 April
Akita: 17 April / 22 April
Morioka (Iwate Prefecture): 18 April / 23 April

The weather in North Japan was not as abnormal as the other cities in winter, so cherry blossom season is predicted to be a little earlier than average years.

These three cities are important for some travelers visiting Japan.
The town named Kakunodate in Akita Prefecture is famous for its samurais’ mansions covered by cherry blossoms.
In Iwate Prefecture, World Heritage Site Hiraizumi is located. It is not considered as a place to view cherry blossoms very much, but the beauty to realize heaven in this world is beyond expression.
If you are visiting Japan in late April, you’ll count these cities as your destinations.

In the end, here is the latest forecast for Tokyo.

Tokyo: 26 March / 2 April

So, it changed and went back to the original forecast! Anyway one day is not a big difference.

By the way, plum blossoms are blooming in Tokyo now.

PLUM Blossoms in Tokyo in February to early March

If interested, check out this post. Also, event information including plum blossoms is updated on the top page of Tokyo Direct Guide.

The next update will be on 25 February, when cherry blossom forecast for Hokkaido starts.
Keep following!

(Updated on 25 February)

Forecast for Hokkaido finally started and that for Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, etc, changed!

Hakodate: 28 April / 2 May
Sapporo: 30 April / 4 May

Hakodate is a city in the south of Hokkaido Prefecture, and Sapporo is the central city of Hokkaido. Especially, Hakodate is very famous for cherry blossoms, so if you are traveling in Japan in early May, I recommend planning a trip there.

Tokyo: 24 March / 1 April
Osaka: 28 March / 5 April
Kyoto: 27 March / 4 April
Nara: 28 March / 3 April
Nagoya: 25 March / 3 April
Hiroshima: 27 March/ 5 April
Fukuoka: 22 March / 1 April

The temperature was totally abnormal this winter, so surprisingly, some spring flowers have started to bloom in Tokyo.

Hamarikyu Gardens, Tokyo, Japan, on 21 FEBRUARY!

But fortunately, cherry blossom season is predicted to be average. According to Weather Map, it will be warm in March, but cherry blossoms will not open extremely early because of the effects of the warm autumn and winter, which is a factor to make cherry buds wait. It means, total = 0.
In March, there will be more frequent and irregular updates of this cherry blossom forecast than ever. You can be aware of any update by Bookmarking this post or following Tokyo Direct Guide on Twitter or Facebook.
Spring is coming closer and closer. See you next time!

(Updated on 3 March)

Cherry blossom forecast was updated today. It is predicted to be warmer in March than old forecast, so WeatherMap changed the forecast; Cherry blossoms will open a little early.

Tokyo: 23 March / 31 March
Osaka: 26 March / 4 April
Kyoto: 25 March / 3 April
Nara: 25 March / 2 April
Nagoya: 23 March / 2 April
Hiroshima: 26 March/ 4 April
Fukuoka: 20 March / 30 March

So the forecast has been moved up. Cherry blossom season was extremely early in 2015, and early in 2016 again! Anyway it will change again and again, so please keep following TDD!

PLUM Blossoms in Tokyo City, Japan

By the way, plum blossoms are blooming fully, or leaving now. In this particular year, they bloomed with bright yellow oilseed rape flowers, which normally flourish in late March. I’m uploading plum blossom photos, so if interested, check them out.
http://tokyo-direct-guide.com/blog/2016/03/6-rare-photos-plum-ume-blossoms-hamarikyu-garden/

http://tokyo-direct-guide.com/blog/2016/03/plum-ume-blossoms-are-flowering-hamarikyu/

(Updated on 8 March)

Cherry blossom forecast changed DRAMATICALLY. Here it is!

Tokyo: 21 March / 29 March
Osaka: 23 March / 1 April
Kyoto: 21 March / 30 March
Nara: 22 March / 29 March
Nagoya: 20 March / 29 March
Hiroshima: 23 March/ 1 April
Fukuoka: 18 March / 27 March

The forecaster started to say that this year’s sakura season will be earlier than average years. It is because the temperature will be higher than expectations in the next week.

In my opinion, yes, if this forecast comes true, cherry blossom season is so early again.

I uploaded the last plum blossom post in 2016. It is about the very unique and interesting Japanese garden near Asakusa and Skytree.

I uploaded some photos of early-blooming cherry blossoms, so have a look at it!
http://tokyo-direct-guide.com/blog/2016/03/plum-blossoms-early-cherry-blossoms-mukojima/

(Updated on 10 March)

Cherry blossom forecast changed in some cities. That for Tokyo hasn’t.

Nara: 23 March / 30 March
Nagoya: 21 March / 30 March
Fukuoka: 19 March / 28 March

North Eastern Japan
Akita: 16 April / 21 April
Morioka (Iwate Prefecture): 17 April / 22 April

Hokkaido
Hakodate: 27 April / 1 May
Sapporo: 29 April / 3 May

They are all moving up because of the high temperature predicted in Mid March.
When there is any update, you can catch it up by following Tokyo Direct Guide on Twitter or Facebook.
See you on the next update!
(Updated on 14 March)
Cherry blossom forecast changed again.
That for Tokyo changed DRAMATICALLY again!Tokyo: 18 March / 28 March
Osaka: 23 March / 2 April
Kyoto: 21 March / 31 March
Nara: 22 March / 31 March
Nagoya: 21 March / 31 March
Hiroshima: 22 March/ 1 April
Fukuoka: 19 March / 29 March

According to the latest forecast above, cherry blossoms will open extremely early this year.
Especially, Tokyo is predicted to be the front runner in Japan!

(Updated on 18 March)

Standard kinds of cherry blossoms will start to open this weekend! It’s so early that food sellers are desperate to make their lunch boxes for sakura viewing!

Tokyo: 19 March / 29 March
Osaka: 23 March / 2 April
Kyoto: 22 March / 1 April
Nara: 22 March / 31 March
Nagoya: 20 March / 31 March
Hiroshima: 22 March/ 1 April
Fukuoka: 18 March / 29 March

Early-blooming cherry blossoms have reached to peak. If you are going to see them, here are sightseeing guides.

The famous weeping cherry tree in Rikugien Garden has started to be lighted up. But it has mostly buds at this moment…
For travel guides and the latest event information, please go to Tokyo Direct Guide.
http://tokyo-direct-guide.com/
Have a great trip!

(Updated on 21 March)

Cherry blossoms started to open in Fukuoka and Nagoya on 19 March!
It is 4 days earlier in Fukuoka and 1 week earlier in Nagoya.

Cherry blossoms officially started to open in Tokyo today!!!
When they reach to peak (predicted to be 29 March), I’ll report it in Yoyogi Park in Harajuku, some Japanese gardens, etc, this year.
Don’t miss it!!




(Updated on 25 March)

Cherry blossoms are starting to open in more and more cities in Japan.
The temperature is predicted to be low in early next week, so the forecast for the peak became a little later than the last update.

Tokyo: 21 March / 31 March
Osaka: 23 March / 2 April
Kyoto: 23 March / 2 April
Nara: 23 March / 1 April
Nagoya: 19 March / 30 March
Hiroshima: 23 March/ 2 April
Fukuoka: 19 March / 31 March

When they reach to peak, Tokyo Direct Diary will report them in some places in Tokyo again in this year.
By the way, have you checked out the latest post? It’s about eatable sakura experience!

You are reading TDD. You’ll never miss special things in Tokyo & Japan!
http://tokyo-direct-guide.com/blog/2016/03/eatable-cherry-blossoms-sakura-mochi/

(Updated on 1 April)

Cherry blossoms reached peak in Tokyo on 31 March!
The first report by Tokyo Direct Diary in 2016 is here!!!

Yes, it’s Tokyo Tower!!!
http://tokyo-direct-guide.com/blog/2016/04/cherry-blossoms-zojoji-temple-tokyo-tower/

(Updated on 3 April)

NEW CHERRY BLOSSOM POST FROM TOKYO DIRECT DIARY!!
Ueno Park Cherry Blossom Festival IN THE EVENING

Ueno Park is the best sakura viewing spot for me. Its beauty in daytime is just breathtaking! How is it in the evening? Never miss it!!!
http://tokyo-direct-guide.com/blog/2016/04/ueno-park-cherry-blossoms-sakura-in-the-evening/

(Updated on 6 April)

NEW CHERRY BLOSSOM SPOT FROM TOKYO DIRECT DIARY!!
Tokyo’s Cherry Blossom Spot – Yoyogi Park, Harajuku

 

http://tokyo-direct-guide.com/blog/2016/04/cherry-blossom-spot-yoyogi-park-harajuku/

How long cherry blossoms last depends on the weather. They are weak at rain and winds. Check out weather forecast?

(Updated on 11 April)

Standard cherry blossoms are leaving in Tokyo City.
As far as I see it, there are still some blossoms in streets, but they are falling.

Instead, the season of late-blooming sakura just begun.

In parks and gardens, they have started to bloom.
If you are not very sure, head to Shinjuku Gyoen Garden, and you’ll never regret!

http://tokyo-direct-guide.com/blog/2015/04/cherry-blossoms-for-travelers-japan-late/

(Updated on 18 April)

Late kinds of sakura are so beautiful in Tokyo now!

Here is the latest Cherry Blossom Forecast (and report) for North Japan.

North East Japan (Tohoku)
Aomori: 17 April / 22 April
Akita: 14 April / 19 April
Morioka (Iwate): 11 April / 16 April

Hokkaido
Sapporo: 26 April / 30 April
Hakodate: 24 April / 28 April

So cherry blossom season is 1 week or 10 days earlier than average years in North Japan, too.
They will reach to peak this week in the north part of North East Japan, and in the next week in Hokkaido! Plan a trip to these towns?

(Updated on 26 April)

Sakura season reached to Hokkaido! In Hakodate, cherry blossoms started to open on 24 April and will reach to peak soon. At this moment, they are at the peak in Aomori Prefecture.

Hokkaido
Sapporo: 25 April / 30 April
Hakodate: 24 April / 27 April

A new post of late kinds of sakura in Tokyo was updated here!

Late Kinds of Cherry Blossoms in Ueno Park in Late April

3 Reasons to Visit Ueno Park AFTER Cherry Blossom (Sakura) Festival

Cherry blossom season is leaving at last. If you are visiting Japan now, plan a trip to Aomori or Hokkaido right now!!

(Updated on 9 May)

Cherry blossoms will bloom in the coldest cities in Japan such as Kushiro and Wakkanai in Hokkaido this week. Sakura Season is officially ending.
The next update will be the last in 2016. I’ll look back at the forecast by Weather Map and say thank you to you. See you once more on Cherry Blossom (Sakura) Forecast for Japan 2016 by Tokyo Direct Diary!

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2 thoughts on “Cherry Blossom (Sakura) Forecast for Japan 2016

  • Tomorrow (friday) i plan to visit tokyo. Checking the weather forecast makes me worried as today tokyo will have heavy shower. Do you think we still have chance to see sakura around tokyo?

    Reply
    • Hi there!
      Yes, I do believe that you can see cherry blossoms although I'm worried, too.

      If you are not sure of where to see cherry blossoms, head to Shinjuku Gyoen Garden. It's a large garden where some cherry blossoms are blooming during spring, so you'll be able to see some of them. At this moment, some late-blooming kinds of sakura are opening beside standard kinds blooming fully.

      Forecasters say that cherry blossoms which have passed the peak will all fall in the shower on Thursday, but those which just bloomed will stay.

      So, I think that there is few chance in Ueno Park where standard cherry blossoms started to fall on Wednesday, but they will remain in Asakusa where they somehow bloomed later than in other sakura spots. Luckily, 8 April is Hana-Matsuri (Buddha's Birthday), so you can explore the yearly festival at Sensoji Temple. It'll be interesting!

      I really wish you enjoy your sakura-viewing travel in Tokyo!

      Reply

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