In 2023, the first forecast was issued on January 23rd. The second forecast was issued on February 6th. The third forecast was issued on February 20th and fourth forecast will be issued on February 27th. After March 2nd, they will update the first bloom and full bloom reports every day and provided forecasts every Monday and Thursday.
Nevertheless, please keep in mind that the blooming of cherry blossoms depends on temperature, wind and rain. The first bloom date every year is not always the same. Fortunately, cherry blossoms bloom from south to north in Japan, which means that the whole cherry blossom season lasts approximately four months. If you miss cherry blossom in Tokyo, just pack your luggage and head to Tohoku(Aomori, Akita, Sendai, Fukushima, etc.) and Hokkaido where cherry blossoms will end in early May.
Based on the cherry blossom season in 2019, the season in 2021 will also fall on from late January to early May across Japan (Please note that the forecast is conducted under ideal circumstances, and we don’t take account of the weather). And we will recommend top 10 best cherry blossom areas you should not miss.
Top 1 Tokyo
The first bloom will probably be on March 15, and cherry blossom season will last around two weeks. Top destinations are Meguro River, Shinjuku Gyoen, Chidorigafuchi Moat, Ueno Park, Rikugien Garden etc.
Top 2 Kyoto
The first bloom will probably be on March 17, and cherry blossom season will last around two weeks. Top destinations are Yodogawa Riverside Park, Ninna-ji Temple, Maruyama Park, Daigoji Temple, The Sagano-Arashiyama area etc.
Top 3 Osaka
The first bloom will probably be on March 19, and cherry blossom season will last around two weeks. Top destinations are Osaka Mint Bureau, Osaka Castle Park, Expo 70 Commemorative Park, Kema Sakuranomiya Park, Satsukiyama Park etc.
Top 4 Nara
The first bloom will probably be on March 16, and cherry blossom season will last around two weeks. Top destinations are Matabee Sakura, Mt.Yoshino, Nara Park, Koriyama Castle Ruins, etc.
Top 5 Hokkaido
The first bloom will probably be on April 21, and cherry blossom season will last around two weeks. Top destinations are Nijukken Road Cherry Blossoms, Matsumae Park, Fort Goryokaku, Maruyama Park, Hokkaido Shrine, etc.
Top 6 Aichi Prefecture
The first bloom will probably be on March 17, and cherry blossom season will last around two weeks. Top destinations are Okazaki Park, Nagoya Castle, Four Seasons Road of Yamazaki River, Tsuruma Park, Higashiyama Zoo & Botanical Gardens etc.
Top 7 Fukuoka Prefecture
The first bloom will probably be on March 15, and cherry blossom season will last around two weeks. Top destinations are Maizuru Park, Nishi Park, Katsuyama Park, etc.
Top 8 Aomori Prefecture
The first bloom will probably be on April 14, and cherry blossom season will last around two weeks. Top destinations are Hirosaki Park, Southern Foot of Mt. Iwaki, Kancho-gai Dori St. in Towada City, etc.
Top 9 Miyagi Prefecture
The first bloom will probably be on March 27, and cherry blossom season will last around two weeks. Top destinations are Shiraishi River, Funaokajoshi Park, Mikamine Park, Tsutsujigaoka Park, Nishi Park, Saigyo Modoshi no Matsu Park,etc.
Top 10 Hiroshima Prefecture
The first bloom will probably be on March 16, and cherry blossom season will last around two weeks. Top destinations are Miyajima, Senkoji Temple, Fukuyama Castle Park, Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, etc.