Cherry Blossom (Sakura) Forecast for Japan 2017

Cherry blossom (sakura) forecast for 2017 was released by Weather map, a Japanese weather forecast company. Every year, Tokyo Direct Guide translates it into English!

As the previous years, I will update THIS article whenever the latest information is released. So if you hope to follow the forecast, please bookmark this article. Or, I’ll also let you know on Facebook and Twitter. I do NOT delete old forecasts so that you can see how it changed during the season.

Forecast released on 24 January

(* This has CHANGED. Please go down for the latest forecast updated on 28 April.)

Tokyo: Start to open on 26 March / Reach to the peak on 2 April

Osaka: 29 March / 6 April

Kyoto: 29 March / 6 April

Nara: 29 March / 5 April

Nagoya: 26 March / 4 April

Hiroshima: 28 March/ 5 April

Fukuoka: 25 March / 4 April

The following are the top places in Tokyo and some travel advice. Every article contains practical guides as well as beautiful photos. Get ready for the best season!

• Ueno Park Cherry Blossom Festival – Why You Shouldn’t Miss Shinobazu Pond! – MY RECOMMENDATION!!
• Imperial Palace / Chidorigafuchi
• The Full-Blooming Weeping Cherry Tree in Rikugien Garden
• Koishikawa Korakuen Garden
• Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
• Asakusa & Sumida Riverside
• Cherry Blossoms for Travelers Visiting Japan Earlier than Standard Sakura
• Cherry Blossoms for Travelers Visiting Japan Later than Standard Sakura
• Trip Planning Advice for Cherry Blossom (Sakura) Festival Visitors to Japan by a Local

Can’t wait for Japan’s most beautiful days, can you? Stay tuned to Tokyo Direct Guide!

Updated on 2 February

The forecast was updated. According to the forecast, cherry blossom season is average in East to West Japan (including Tokyo, Nogoya, Osaka, Kyoto, Nara and Hiroshima), and late in Shikoku and Kyushu (sometimes called South Japan in travel guidebooks) regions.

Tokyo: Start to open on 26 March / Reach to the peak on 2 April

Osaka: 30 March / 7 April

Kyoto: 29 March / 6 April

Nara: 31 March / 6 April

Nagoya: 27 March / 5 April

Hiroshima: 28 March/ 6 April

Fukuoka: 26 March / 6 April

Also, the forecast for part of North Japan started.

Niigata: 10 April / 15 April

Nagano: 12 April / 17 April

Kanazawa: 5 April / 10 April

Sendai: 10 April / 14 April

Yamagata: 14 April / 18 April

In Tokyo, the earliest kinds of cherry blossoms have started to open. If you hope to see them, it’s a good idea to go to Shinjuku Gyoen Garden, which has any kinds of plants and flowers throughout the year.

I have Facebook and Twitter to let you know the latest update. Keep following Cherry Blossom Forecast 2017!

Updated on 16 February

Cherry Blossom Forecast was updated again. The predicted peak became a little earlier than the old forecast.

Tokyo: Start to open on 25 March / Reach to the peak on 1 April

Osaka: 29 March / 5 April

Kyoto: 28 March / 5 April

Nara: 29 March / 4 April

Nagoya: 26 March / 4 April

Hiroshima: 27 March / 4 April

Fukuoka: 24 March / 4 April

Also, the forecast for North Japan started.

Aomori: 21 April / 25 April

Akita: 15 April / 20 April

Morioka (Iwate): 18 April / 23 April

Cherry blossoms will come later than average years in Kyushu (South Japan), average in East to West Japan and a little early in North Japan.

In Tokyo, some early-blooming kinds of cherry blossoms are at the peak now.

If you want to view them for sure, I suggest you to go to Shinjuku Gyoen Garden. You also have chances in other Japanese gardens, parks and even in local streets!

Make sure to follow Cherry Blossom Forecast 2017 on Facebook, Twitter and this article!

Updated on 23 February

The latest forecast came out today. It seems cherry blossoms got a little slower, right?

Tokyo: Start to open on 25 March / Reach to the peak on 2 April

Osaka: 30 March / 7 April

Kyoto: 29 March / 6 April

Nara: 31 March / 6 April

Nagoya: 27 March / 5 April

Hiroshima: 28 March / 6 April

Fukuoka: 24 March / 4 April

Also, the forecast for Hokkaido (the northern island of Japan) started today.

Sapporo: 30 April / 4 May

In Tokyo, Plum Blossoms (Japanese apricot / ume in Japanese) are at the peak now.

I’ve updated the list of the top places to view them on Tokyo Direct Guide and the following, so if interested, check them out!

• Hamarikyu Garden
• Shiba Park at the foot of Tokyo Tower
• Plum Blossoms & Early Kinds of Cherry Blossoms in Mukojima Hyakkaen Garden

Whenever there is a new update on Cherry Blossom Forecast 2017, I let you know on Facebook and Twitter as well as this article. See you in the next update!

Updated on 2 March

March has come! And the Cherry Blossom Forecast was updated today!

Tokyo: Start to open on 24 March / Reach to the peak on 2 April

Osaka: 1 April / 8 April

Kyoto: 30 March / 7 April

Nara: 1 April / 7 April

Nagoya: 27 March / 5 April

Hiroshima: 29 March / 7 April

Fukuoka: 24 March / 5 April

According to the latest forecast, sakura season will be late in West Japan (including Osaka, Kyoto, Hiroshima and Fukuoka) and a little early in East Japan (Tokyo, etc.). Seeing the old forecast, the peak in Tokyo is getting earlier.

There are some traditional festivals in March. I’ve wrote about them on Blog Tokyo Direct Diary. If you are traveling, I really advise you to learn them!

• Hina Matsuri (Japanese Girls’ Festival) – 3 March
• Hiwatarisai (Walking on Fire Festival) in Mt. Takao, Tokyo – 12 March, 2017

There will be more updates on Cherry Blossom Forecast in March than in February, so make sure to keep following me on Facebook and Twitter!

Updated on 6 March

According to today’s update, the sakura season will be average in East Japan such as Tokyo and LATE in West Japan including Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, etc.

Tokyo: Start to open on 25 March / Reach to the peak on 3 April

Osaka: 1 April / 9 April

Kyoto: 30 March / 8 April

Nara: 1 April / 8 April

Nagoya: 31 March / 8 April

Hiroshima: 30 March / 8 April

Fukuoka: 24 March / 6 April

I feel so as a local, too. If interested, compare it with Cherry Blossom Forecast of last year.

Many updates are coming in March. Bookmark this article and follow me on Facebook and Twitter!

Updated on 9 March

The latest forecast came out!

Tokyo: Start to open on 25 March / Reach to the peak on 3 April

Osaka: 1 April / 10 April

Kyoto: 31 March / 9 April

Nara: 2 April / 9 April

Nagoya: 28 March / 7 April

Hiroshima: 30 March / 8 April

Fukuoka: 24 March / 5 April

The best season is really late in Kansai region (Osaka, Kyoto and Nara). If possible, you can visit Tokyo first and move to Osaka along the sakura front!

By the way, I’d like to announce that GOOD NEWS is coming soon. Please wait a moment!

GIVEAWAY!

Celebrating the coming sakura season, I’m giving away the Article App of Imperial Palace, one of the BEST cherry blossom spot in Japan!

GIVEAWAY Description

FREE Download of Imperial Palace / Chidorigafuchi Cherry Blossom Festival

The app enables you to read the article by TDD, see maps and guide yourself by GPS OFFLINE! For details, read this.

Travel with Tokyo Direct Guide!

Updated on 13 March

The forecast changed… slightly this time.

Tokyo: Start to open on 24 March / Reach to the peak on 2 April

Osaka: 1 April / 10 April

Kyoto: 31 March / 9 April

Nara: 1 April / 9 April

Nagoya: 28 March / 6 April

Hiroshima: 29 March / 8 April

Fukuoka: 24 March / 5 April

By the way, have you joined the GIVEAWAY? Tokyo Direct Diary is giving away the App of Imperial Palace / Chidorigafuchi Cherry Blossom Festival until 23:59 of today (US West Coast Time)! If you haven’t downloaded it FOR FREE, hurry up!!

Updated on 16 March

Tokyo: Start to open on 24 March / Reach to the peak on 2 April

Osaka: 1 April / 9 April

Kyoto: 31 March / 8 April

Nara: 1 April / 8 April

Nagoya: 28 March / 6 April

Hiroshima: 29 March / 7 April

Fukuoka: 24 March / 5 April

The peak became 1 day earlier than the old forecast, but the change is not very big. I feel the Cherry Blossom Forecast is relatively stable this year.

Keep following me on Facebook and Twitter!

Updated on 21 March

Cherry blossoms started to OPEN in Tokyo TODAY! It is 5 days earlier than average years. What’s surprising is that Tokyo was the first city to welcome cherry blossoms in Japan.

…That’s the official announcement in Japan, but please listen to ME.

Straight to the point, as a local, I don’t think that Cherry Blossom Season is coming soon. You don’t know how the weather is like here, do you? Actually, it’s as cold as mid winter in Tokyo today. I’m typing this with the heater turned on. Outside of the window, it has been rainy (and sometimes sleety!) since this morning.

The definition of “cherry blossoms start to open” is, “when 5 – 6 blossoms open in Yasukuni Shrine (which is beside Imperial Palace)”. What I want to say is there are always exceptions in anything. Can you trust the 5 blossoms that opened in the cold rain? Personally, I can’t. The definition works well in normal years, but I don’t think it did this year.

Every year I get so excited when the cherry blossom season begins because it’s the sign of spring. (If interested, please see the cherry blossom forecast of last year.) However, I can’t say, “Yeah!!!!!” in this particular year because I’m wearing a sweater under the gray sky.

But still it cannot be bad news that cherry blossoms started to bloom. Cherry blossoms will proceed to the peak very slowly. I’ll update the latest forecast in the following!

Tokyo: Start to open on 21 March / Reach to the peak on 1 April

Osaka: 2 April / 10 April

Kyoto: 1 April / 10 April

Nara: 3 April / 10 April

Nagoya: 29 March / 7 April

Hiroshima: 30 March / 8 April

Fukuoka: 24 March / 6 April

I hope I can say, “Yeah, spring has come!!!” in the next update! Keep following Tokyo Direct Guide on Facebook and Twitter!

Updated on 23 March

The forecast was updated. Here it is.

Tokyo: Started to open on 21 March / Reach to the peak on 31 March

Osaka: Start to open on 2 April / 9 April

Kyoto: 1 April / 9 April

Nara: 2 April / 8 April

Nagoya: 28 March / 7 April

Hiroshima: 31 March / 8 April

Fukuoka: 25 March / 6 April

Tokyo is still the only city where cherry blossoms started to open.

Then, you’ll ask me, “So, Kozue, have you seen some sakura?” My answer is NO. It’s sunny today, but cherry blossom season will come VERY little by little this year!

Hopefully, I’ll visit some of the top sakura viewing places and upload them on this blog. Until that time, please go to the Cherry Blossom article list. I’ve wrote many! My recommendation? It’s Ueno Park!

Updated on 27 March

The peak in Tokyo became later than the last update. Here is the latest forecast!

Tokyo: Started to open on 21 March / Reach to the peak on 2 April

Osaka: Start to open on 1 April / 9 April

Kyoto: 1 April / 9 April

Nara: 2 April / 8 April

Nagoya: 27 March / 6 April

Hiroshima: Started to open on 27 March / 4 April

Fukuoka: 25 March / 6 April

In my opinion, Japan Meteorological Agency and other forecasters failed in declaring the beginning of sakura season. I haven’t seen ANY blossom yet! Other locals say so, too. This doesn’t happen in normal years, but I must say it was a FIASCO this year.

Do you know how the weather was like in Tokyo this morning? I saw snowflakes in March! Cherry blossoms can’t open on such a cold day!

Anyway, if you are traveling in Tokyo now, keep warm. (It isn’t cold in Osaka. I envy them…) I updated the event schedule of the 2 cherry blossom spots in Tokyo, so go to the top page of Tokyo Direct Guide!

Updated on 30 March

Cherry blossoms started to open in Osaka today!

Tokyo: Started to open on 21 March / Reach to the peak on 2 April

Osaka: Started to open on 30 March / 8 April

Kyoto: Will start to open on 1 April / 9 April

Nara: 3 April / 9 April

Nagoya: 28 March / 6 April

Hiroshima: Started to open on 27 March / 5 April

Fukuoka: 25 March / 6 April

I’d like to talk about how cherry blossoms are in Tokyo now… It’s Ueno Park, which is said to be the most popular sakura spot in Japan.

There were several cherry trees whose blossoms were blooming fully, so you CAN see some cherry blossoms now! Generally speaking, 10 – 20 % of cherry blossoms have opened. I mean we still need to wait for the peak.

What’s important is, according to the official website, some cherry blossoms are blooming fully in Koishikawa Korakuen Garden! If you are staying in Tokyo at this moment, I say that it’s definitely a right place to go sakura viewing!

Cherry Blossom Photos & Visitor Information of the Japanese Garden of Koishikawa Korakuen

Today is early for cherry blossoms, but there are some. I hope you can enjoy them as much as possible. According to the latest forecast, the peak will come on 2 April in Tokyo. Hopefully I’ll report some on this blog. Stay tuned!!

Updated on 3 April

Japan Meteorological Agency announced that Cherry Blossoms reached the peak in Tokyo on 2 April. To tell the truth, it is very controversial among locals… First, here is the latest forecast.

Tokyo: Started to open on 21 March / Reached to the peak on 2 April

Osaka: 30 March / Will reach to the peak on 6 April

Kyoto: 31 March / 8 April

Nara: 3 April / 9 April

Nagoya: 28 March / 6 April

Hiroshima: 27 March / 4 April

Fukuoka: 25 March / 6 April

Frankly, I DON’T think cherry blossoms are at the peak today. As far as I see it, 70 % at the most. In some places, there are few! Many locals are saying, “Where are cherry blossoms?” “I didn’t see any!”

In normal years, this doesn’t happen; when Japan Meteorological Agency announces the peak, cherry blossoms are really blooming fully. That’s why there are many conspiracy theories among locals!! Some say that Japan Meteorological Agency needed to announce cherry blossoms were at the peak last weekend for the benefits of the picnicking industry. Others say that someone at power wanted some exciting news to hide their scandals. Please don’t ask me whether they are true or not – they are just conspiracy theories.

But I have some good advice for you!

At this moment, Ueno Park is a right place to view cherry blossoms. Although they haven’t reached to the peak, around 70 % have opened there! There are so many cherry trees in Ueno Park originally, so you’ll surely be satisfied!

On the contrary, Imperial Palace is a wrong place at this moment because only 10 % are blooming…

Hope my advice will help you. Hopefully I’ll update 2 or 3 cherry blossom related posts on this blog SOON! STAY TUNED!!!

Updated on 7 April

I think cherry blossoms reached to the peak in Tokyo! This year, they opened little by little because of the unstable weather. As far as I see it, the best days come to Ueno Park and Yoyogi Park first!

The latest forecast (?) is here.

Tokyo: Started to open on 21 March / Reached to the peak on 2 April

Osaka: 30 March / 6 April

Kyoto: 31 March / 7 April

Nara: 3 April / 8 April

Nagoya: 28 March / 6 April

Hiroshima: 27 March / 6 April

Fukuoka: 25 March / 5 April

Today, I have 3 travel tips to share with you.

First, do you know Hana Matsuri (Buddha’s Birthday) on 8 April? If you are staying in Japan now, I advise you to go to Asakusa or Kaneiji Temple inside Ueno Park. You can explore the traditional culture easily at the same time you stroll in cherry blossoms. For details, please go to this article.

Second, the weather is so important for cherry blossom viewing. Everyone’s first choice is a perfect clear day because the combination of pale pink cherry blossoms and the blue sky cannot be more beautiful! Even if it’s cloudy in the morning, it’s too early to give it up – sometimes it clears up in the evening. Keep checking the weather forecast of Tokyo & Japan.

The last is about viewing cherry blossoms at night? Even if it’s endlessly cloudy, at least there won’t be the blue-or-gray-sky problem! I wrote A Perfect Guide to Ueno Park Cherry Blossom Festival IN THE EVENING, which contains some camera tips at night. I hope it will be some help for you.

My new articles are coming soon. Stay tuned!

Updated on 11 April

I updated 2 new articles on Blog Tokyo Direct Diary this year!

Guides, Reviews & Facts of Meguro River Cherry Blossom Festival

Meguro River is a new cherry blossom spot in Tokyo. I uploaded many beautiful pics and practical travel guide as I’ve been doing for years… And also THE FACT LOCALS KNOW! Got interested? Read it now >> Guides, Reviews & Facts of Meguro River Cherry Blossom Festival

Perfect Guide of Asakusa Sumida River Cherry Blossom Festival

I once said that I recommend Ueno Park the most, but Asakusa is as fantastic as Ueno… I wrote an article about it some years ago, but I updated another. My photos and writings have become much better to share the beautiful spring days! Read it now >> Perfect Guide of Asakusa Sumida River Cherry Blossom Festival

The weather has not been very fine for days in Tokyo. (Weather forecast for Tokyo & Japan) Even if the sky is not perfect for you, sunny days are not all of cherry blossom viewing. Traditionally, people see cherry blossoms in many situations such as in the evening and rainy days. Hope everyone is enjoying sakura viewing!

Updated on 14 April

Cherry blossoms have reached to the peak almost anywhere in East & West Japan! (The exceptions are highlands, so we don’t need to consider them.) Also, south cities in North Japan, such as Sendai, are welcoming cherry blossoms now!

Tokyo: Started to open on 21 March / Reached to the peak on 2 April

Osaka: 30 March / 6 April

Kyoto: 31 March / 7 April

Nara: 3 April / 8 April

Nagoya: 28 March / 6 April

Hiroshima: 27 March / 7 April

Fukuoka: 25 March / 5 April

I feel that the peak is lasting relatively long this year. Cherry blossoms opened slowly and are falling slowly. You still have chances to see standard sakura. Also, late kinds of cherry blossoms are opening in Japanese gardens.

I’d like to update the forecast for North Japan. If planning a trip there, check it out! In case you are looking for that for other cities, please tell me by commenting. I’ll add them here for you.

Sendai: 7 April / 13 April

Aomori: 18 April / 23 April

Hakodate (Hokkaido): 25 April / 29 April

Sapporo (Hokkaido): 29 April / 3 May

Updated on 21 April

In Tokyo, late kinds of cherry blossoms are blooming now!

Shinjuku Gyoen Garden is famous for them – I say it’s the best place in Tokyo. If you wonder where to go, it’s the right place.

Late Cherry Blossoms & Travel Information of Shinjuku Gyoen Garden

Also, standard cherry blossoms are coming in North Japan.

Aomori: 17 April / 24 April

Hakodate (Hokkaido): 25 April / 30 April

Sapporo (Hokkaido): 29 April / 4 May

Updated on 28 April

Cherry blossoms finally arrived in Hokkaido today!

Aomori: 17 April / 21 April

Hakodate (Hokkaido): 27 April / 30 April

Sapporo (Hokkaido): 28 April / 5 May

In Tokyo, you can still see some late kinds of cherry blossoms, but they are really leaving. The season of fresh green began instead. Good news is that another GIVEAWAY is coming soon!

The next update will be the last of Cherry Blossom Forecast 2017. Hope you had great time!

Updated on 15 May

Cherry blossoms finally arrived in Kushiro, a beautiful town in Hokkaido, on 14 May. It means the “sakura front” finished the goal line. So I’d like to finish the goal of Cherry Blossom Forecast 2017 with remembering it.

This year, cherry blossoms started to open 21 March and reached to the peak on 2 April in Tokyo, which is considered to be average. …I must say it is the official announcement that was different from our real feelings. Actually, many locals didn’t think they started to open on 21 March. However, it’s true that the peak lasted like average years.

According to WeatherMap, warm winds in February made blossoms open in the average season in Kanto region (Tokyo and around).

On the contrary, cherry blossom season was relatively late in West Japan such as Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, etc. Blossoms couldn’t wake up smoothly because of warm winter there. Furthermore, the temperature was low in February and March, so sakura season became very late.

In North Japan, sakura season was early because it was not warm in winter and was warm since February.

I updated 2 new posts about cherry blossoms in Tokyo – One is Asakusa / Sumida River and the other is Meguro River.

I’m so satisfied with the clear days. While sharing the 2 spots with you on Tokyo Direct Diary, I also enjoyed the most beautiful days in a year.

Thank you very much for following Cherry Blossom Forecast for Japan 2017 on Blog Tokyo Direct Diary! The forecast for 2018 will start in late January. See you in 2018!

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