Cherry Blossom (Sakura) Forecast for Japan 2023

This is the 10th year for me to share the cherry blossom forecast for Japan with you.

Thank you so much for following Tokyo Direct Guide for so long and hope you enjoy it in 2023!!

(Whenever there is an update on the forecast, I’ll tell you on my Twitter and Facebook. Follow me to catch up!)

Cherry Blossom Forecast (Released on 26 January)

Tokyo: Start to open on 22 March / Reach peak on 30 March

Osaka: 26 March / 2 April

Kyoto: 26 March / 3 April

Nara: 27 March / 3 April

Nagoya: 23 March / 1 April

Fukuoka: 19 March / 28 March

Hiroshima: 23 March /3 April

Sendai: 6 April / 11 April

Sapporo: 26 April / 30 April

(Sourced from Weathermap)

According to the forecasters, the cherry blossom season will be average or a little early in Japan in 2023. In North East Japan and Hokkaido, it is earlier than average because it will be warm in April.

Cherry Blossom Forecast (Released on 9 February)

The forecast was updated on 9 February. Let’s compare it with the previous one!

Tokyo: Start to open on 22 March / Reach peak on 30 March

Osaka: 27 March / 3 April

Kyoto: 26 March / 3 April

Nara: 28 March / 4 April

Nagoya: 23 March / 1 April

Fukuoka: 20 March / 30 March

Hiroshima: 23 March / 4 April

Sendai: 6 April / 11 April

Sapporo: 27 April / 1 May

According to Weathermap, the the sakura season is forecast to be a little later than the previous prediction because it will be cold in late February. So what I wait for next is whether the weather forecast comes true or not. At least I’m preparing for snow today because it will be snowy tomorrow!

I think Osaka, Kyoto and Nara are just like the traditional Japanese spring. I’ve seen some heartbroken travelers on my SNS because cherry blossoms opened too early… I wish cherry trees listen to this forecast and go along with it this year!

Cherry Blossom Forecast (16 February)

Weathermap quietly released the latest forecast on 16 February, but it was shocking to me!

Tokyo: Start to open on 17 March / Reach peak on 25 March

Osaka: 23 March / 31 March

Kyoto: 21 March / 30 March

Nara: 23 March / 1 April

Nagoya: 19 March / 30 March

Fukuoka: 17 March / 28 March

Hiroshima: 21 March / 2 April

Sendai: 1 April / 7 April

Sapporo: 26 April / 29 April

It’s so early, isn’t it?? I wanted the explanation why they changed it so dramatically, but they don’t say anything. I just wish the forecast will change again…

Cherry Blossom Forecast (9 March)

It’s so warm this week in Tokyo. I’m happy about that but it means cherry trees misunderstand that spring is coming at the corner!

Tokyo: Start to open on 16 March / Reach peak on 23 March

Osaka: 22 March / 28 March

Kyoto: 21 March / 27 March

Nara: 22 March / 28 March

Nagoya: 18 March / 27 March

Fukuoka: 16 March / 25 March

Hiroshima: 18 March / 27 March

Sendai: 25 March / 29 March

Sapporo: 23 April / 26 April

People in Sendai might black out…

By the way, I see the early kind of cherry blossoms are flourishing this week.

So beautiful, aren’t they?

Early kinds are as tall as we are, but the blossoms are beautiful enough! You have chances to see them in many places.

Cherry Blossoms Started to Open in Tokyo!

News FLASH!! The forecasters announced that cherry blossoms started to open in Tokyo on 14 March! They say this equals the earliest record in the history.

It means that they found 5 blossoms on the specific tree in Yasukuni Shrine – 5 blossoms. So I haven’t seen any standard cherry blossoms yet.

But White Day is insanely early for cherry blossoms… I think some of you with the flight ticket were shocked to hear this.

Anyway I’ll keep updating this article. That’s the only thing I can do…

Cherry Blossom Forecast (16 March)

So this is the updated forecast.

Tokyo: Start to open on 14 March / Reach peak on 22 March

Osaka: 21 March / 27 March

Kyoto: 21 March / 27 March

Nara: 22 March / 27 March

Nagoya: 17 March / 26 March

Fukuoka: 18 March / 26 March

Hiroshima: 18 March / 26 March

Sendai: 25 March / 29 March

Sapporo: 20 April / 24 April

As far as I see this, only Tokyo is exceptional…

I’m in a hurry to go to somewhere to see cherry blossoms. I haven’t decided where to go yet because I merely thought the sakura season would be this early! When I take beautiful pics, I’ll surely upload them in this article. Stay tuned!!

My Photos on 20 March

I went to Kyu Shiba Rikyu Gardens to see cherry blossoms!! I’m so excited to share my photos with you!!

Yes, I saw some cherry blossoms, but…

I was able to enjoy some beautiful blossoms, but they were not at the peak.

In fact, the weather forecast for the coming week is not very nice – they say it’ll be cloudy and rainy almost every day. I wish it won’t come true. I hope to go to see cherry blossoms again – hopefully with the clear blue sky!

About this place: A Guide to Hamamatsucho – All About its Attractions, Hotels and Transportation

They Are Blooming Fully in Tokyo!

On 22 March, the forecasters announced that cherry blossoms reached the peak in Tokyo! It was so warm on that day, so it seems they rapidly popped to open.

But actually, Tokyo locals don’t agree with the forecasters fully. As far as I see it, there are some cherry trees being at the peak, but not all. I think it highly depends on the individual tree this year.

This is the forecast released on 23 March.

Tokyo: Start to open on 14 March / Reach peak on 22 March

Osaka: 19 March / 25 March

Kyoto: 17 March / 24 March

Nara: 20 March / 25 March

Nagoya: 17 March / 26 March

Fukuoka: 18 March / 26 March

Hiroshima: 19 March / 27 March

Sendai: 26 March / 30 March

Sapporo: 18 April / 22 April

I’m planning to view cherry blossoms of this year now. When I go somewhere, I’ll surely share the pics with you!

Ueno Park (24 March)

Beside the forecasters excited at the cherry buds opening, the weather clouds many locals and travelers. It has been cloudy or rainy for a week, so some people even say the sakura season of this year is disappointing.

But I think it’s too early to get disappointed just because of clouds. When I arrived at Ueno Park, I thought I was right to come to sakura-viewing. Yes, they were blooming fully!!

As you see, the clouds were broken – for some minutes. I uploaded the best photos, but if you were there, you’d enjoy the beautiful views more. Whenever I go to Ueno Park Cherry Blossom Festival, I feel that photos can’t beat the real things.

About this place: Sakura Matsuri (Cherry Blossom Festival) Ueno, Japan – Why You Shouldn’t Miss Shinobazu Pond!

Kyu Shiba Rikyu Gardens (1 April)

The longer, the better. I’m so happy that cherry blossoms are lasting long!!

I went to Kyu Shiba Rikyu Gardens again in April.

Look at this view. It’s PERFECT!!

Not only me. Many Tokyo locals say they are happy to enjoy cherry blossoms for long this year!

Moreover, I believe that cherry trees were friendly to travelers, too. When the sakura season starts early and leaves soon – it really happened some years ago – , it’s a tragedy for travelers flying from far away from Japan. But this year, some of you who got the flight ticket in early April caught up with the peak of cherry blossoms, didn’t you?

I couldn’t predict how the sakura season would go when the buds started to open, but now I can say that it was a very good year!

Cherry Blossom Forecast (13 April)

How was your cherry blossom season? Now the sakura front is landing on Hokkaido!

Tokyo: Start to open on 14 March / Reach peak on 22 March

Osaka: 19 March / 27 March

Kyoto: 17 March / 24 March

Nara: 20 March / 27 March

Nagoya: 17 March / 27 March

Fukuoka: 18 March / 26 March

Hiroshima: 19 March / 28 March

Sendai: 26 March / 31 March

Sapporo: 16 April / 21 April

According to Weathermap, the sakura season is remarkably early in many places in Hokkaido.

Cherry Blossom Forecast (20 April)

Cherry blossoms reached to Hokkaido! It’s remarkably early, so Hokkaido locals are surprised.

Tokyo: Start to open on 14 March / Reach peak on 22 March

Osaka: 19 March / 27 March

Kyoto: 17 March / 24 March

Nara: 20 March / 27 March

Nagoya: 17 March / 27 March

Fukuoka: 18 March / 26 March

Hiroshima: 19 March / 28 March

Sendai: 26 March / 31 March

Sapporo: 15 April / 21 April

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Read More about Cherry Blossoms in Tokyo

Asakusa (Sumida River)

The top tourist spot in Tokyo is famous for cherry blossoms, too. Actually, Sumida Riverside has been loved by Tokyo locals for hundreds of years! Today we can see beautiful cherry blossoms with the new symbol – Tokyo Skytree.

Perfect Guide of Asakusa Sumida River Cherry Blossom Festival

World’s Easiest Asakusa Sightseeing Guide

Ueno Park

Ueno Park is definitely one of the best spots in Tokyo. I love it so much!

Ueno Park Cherry Blossom Festival – Why You Shouldn’t Miss Shinobazu Pond

Perfect Guide to Ueno Park Cherry Blossom Festival IN THE EVENING

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

World’s Easiest Ueno Travel Guide

Imperial Palace

I think that Asakusa, Ueno Park and Imperial Palace are the Big 3. Whichever you visit, you’ll never regret your choice.

Imperial Palace (Chidorigafuchi) Cherry Blossom Festival

Japanese Gardens

Visiting a Japanese garden is a good option, too.

My advice is that, if you are too early or late to meet the peak of cherry blossoms, just go to Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden. It is the largest garden in Tokyo, so you can see early or late kinds of cherry blossoms there. YOU DON’T NEED TO GIVE UP.

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden

The Huge Weeping Cherry Tree in Rikugien Garden

Koishikawa Korakuen Garden

Yoyogi Park, Harajuku

Other Popular Places

I’ve picked up three more places.

Meguro River is a newbie. Zojoji Temple is just next to Tokyo Tower and some good hotels. You can enjoy cherry blossoms in the beautiful hotel garden at Grand Prince Hotel Takanawa.

Guides, Reviews & Facts of Meguro River Cherry Blossom Festival

Zojoji Temple & Tokyo Tower

Cherry Blossom Viewing at Grand Prince Hotel Takanawa