Cherry Blossom in Japan
2019 Hanami Forecast
Cherry Blossom
Forecast 2019
Japan's cherry blossom forecast is out for 2019, with the main sakura bloom expected to start a little earlier this year compared to average.
The cherry blossom bloom arrives in Tokyo by March 22nd and Kyoto by March 24th, with full bloom expected in the following weeks.
Plan the perfect trip around these sakura dates and experience the arrival of spring in spectacular style!
Forecast
| Current state | Opening | Best timing | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo | Finished | March 22 | March 29 to April 6 |
| Kyoto | Finished | March 24 | March 31 to April 8 |
| Osaka | Finished | March 26 | March 31 to April 8 |
| Nagoya | Finished | March 23 | March 30 to April 7 |
| Fukuoka | Finished | March 19 | March 27 to April 4 |
Cherry blossom by region
Discover the top cherry blossom spots in Japan, from Hokkaido in the north, to Okinawa in the south. Learn more with our regional cherry blossom guides or take a closer look at the 2019 forecast for each area.
Cherry Blossom in Kanto
Japan's Kanto region is home to Tokyo prefecture, with Ueno Park, Shinjuku Gyoen and Nakameguro famed for their cherry blossom blooms in the Spring, but further afield Kamakura, Hakone and parts of Saitama, Chiba and Ibaraki are worth exploring.
Cherry blossom spots in KantoForecast
| Area | Current state | Opening | Best timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo | Finished | March 23 | March 30 to April 7 |
| Yokohama | Finished | March 24 | April 1 to 8 |
Cherry Blossom in Kansai
Enjoy the best cherry blossom spots in Kansai, with Kyoto looking extra stunning during this time of year, such as the Arashiyama area and its yozakura tradition of evening light-ups and hanami events amid the pink foliage. Nara's Mount Yoshino and Osaka's castle area also promise beautiful cherry blossom foliage to admire.
Cherry blossom spots in KansaiForecast
| Area | Current state | Opening | Best timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kobe | Finished | March 27 | April 5 to 12 |
| Kyoto | Finished | March 24 | March 31 to April 8 |
| Osaka | Finished | March 26 | March 31 to April 8 |
| Nara | Finished | March 25 | March 31 to April 8 |
Cherry Blossom in Tohoku
Enjoy the best cherry blossom sights in Tohoku, which sees a later bloom than most of Japan. The castle moat in Aomori's Hirosaki is one highlight, with Fukushima's Hanamiyama, Iwate's Takamatsu Park, and Miyagi's picturesque Hitome Senbon Zakura also worth stopping by.
Cherry blossom spots in TohokuForecast
| Area | Current state | Opening | Best timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aomori | Finished | April 23 | April 27 to May 4 |
| Kakunodate | Finished | April 17 | April 22 to 29 |
| Fukushima | Finished | April 7 | April 10 to 18 |
| Miyagi | Finished | April 9 | April 14 to 22 |
Cherry Blossom in Chubu
Enjoy the best cherry blossom sights in Chubu, from Ishikawa's Kenroku-en Garden to the Fuji Reien Cemetery in Shizuoka.
Cherry blossom spots in ChubuForecast
| Area | Current state | Opening | Best timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nagoya | Finished | March 23 | March 30 to April 7 |
| Nagano | Finished | April 8 | April 13 to 20 |
| Niigata | Finished | April 7 | April 12 to 19 |
| Shizuoka | Finished | March 24 | April 2 to 9 |
| Yamanashi | Finished | March 24 | April 2 to 9 |
Cherry Blossom in Hokkaido
Hokkaido's cherry blossom blooms later than the rest of Japan, but promises highlights such Goryokaku's surrounding park enveloped in pink blossom (admire from the Goryokaku Tower), or Sapporo's many parks, such as Moerenuma Park, Maruyama Park and Makomanai Park, as well as spots around Asahikawa (Asahikawa Park), Furano and Otaru.
Cherry blossom spots in HokkaidoForecast
| Area | Current state | Opening | Best timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hakodate | Finished | April 29 | May 2 to 9 |
| Obihiro | Finished | May 1 | May 4 to 11 |
| Sapporo | Finished | April 30 | May 4 to 11 |
Cherry Blossom in Chugoku
Popular hanami hotspots here include the Kintaikyo in Yamaguchi's Iwakuni, Okayama's Korakuen Garden and Tsuyama Castle, Hiroshima's Senkoji Park and Tottori's castle park.
Cherry blossom spots in ChugokuForecast
| Area | Current state | Opening | Best timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hiroshima | Finished | March 24 | March 30 to April 7 |
| Matsue | Finished | March 27 | April 3 to 10 |
| Okayama | Finished | March 26 | April 1 to April 9 |
| Shimonoseki | Finished | March 25 | April 3 to 10 |
Cherry Blossom in Shikoku
Shikoku enjoys some spectacular cherry blossom spots, as the bloom arrives in late March. As well as the view of sakura against the Seto Inland Sea from atop Shiudeyama, Ehime's Matsuyama Park and Kochi's Hyotan Zakura—a 500 year old tree—are considered cherry blossom highlights.
Cherry blossom spots in ShikokuForecast
| Area | Current state | Opening | Best timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kochi | Finished | March 19 | April 3 to 10 |
| Matsuyama | Finished | March 23 | March 30 to April 7 |
| Takamatsu | Finished | March 26 | April 3 to 10 |
Cherry Blossom in Kyushu
The southern island of Kyushu is full of natural beauty, with many stunning cherry blossom spots to be discovered, from Kumamoto's Suizenji Garden to Maizuru Park at Fukuoka's castle ruins.
Cherry blossom spots in KyushuForecast
| Area | Current state | Opening | Best timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fukuoka | Finished | March 19 | March 27 to April 4 |
| Kagoshima | Finished | March 26 | April 4 to 11 |
| Kumamoto | Finished | March 21 | March 31 to April 6 |
| Miyazaki | Finished | March 23 | April 1 to 7 |
| Nagasaki | Finished | March 23 | April 1 to 7 |
Cherry Blossom in Okinawa
Okinawa seems some of the earliest cherry blossom in Japan, thanks to its location to the far south. The bloom typically starts in mid-January and finishes by the end of January or early February. Cherry blossom festivals can be seen at various hotspots, such as Naha, Nago, Yaese, Nakijin castle ruins and Motobe Yaedake.
Cherry blossom spots in OkinawaForecast
| Area | Current state | Opening | Best timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miyakojima | Finished | Jan 7 | Not provided |
| Naha | Finished | Jan 10 | Not provided |
What is Hanami?
Hanami—literally "flower viewing"—is the Japanese tradition of visiting and admiring the cherry/plum blossom each Spring.
Cue a rush to find the best seating position underneath the cherry trees, as half of Japan heads to the parks to go drinking under the trees! From midday family picnics to evening parties under sakura illuminations, expect Japan to be a little busier during this period.
Find out more about hanami with our guide.
How to hanamiWeather around Tokyo
- Mar 5° - 12°
- Apr 10° - 17°
- May 14° - 21°