Japan’s eagerly anticipated cherry blossom (sakura) forecast for 2024 has been unveiled, promising an early start to the season and a visual feast of vibrant blooms across the country. With Tokyo and Osaka set to be among the first locations to witness the colourful spectacle in March, excitement is building for an unforgettable experience amidst nature’s splendour.
Unlike previous years, when cherry blossoms typically heralded the arrival of spring in April, this year’s forecast indicates an earlier onset of blooms, delighting travellers eager to witness the iconic pink petals in full bloom. From the bustling streets of Tokyo to the historic charm of Osaka, visitors can expect to be greeted by the enchanting sight of cherry blossoms adorning the landscape as early as March.
However, the beauty of Japan’s cherry blossoms extends far beyond its southernmost regions, with the season unfolding gradually across the archipelago. As cherry blossoms emerge in Japan’s northernmost Hokkaido Prefecture as late as mid-May, travellers have ample opportunity to embark on a journey of discovery and witness nature’s breathtaking transformation over the course of almost three months.
| Location (Prefecture) | 2024 Forecasted flowering date |
Average date |
| Fukuoka City (Fukuoka) | 19 March | 22 March |
| Kochi City (Kochi) | 19 March | 22 March |
| Chiyoda (Tokyo) | 20 March | 24 March |
| Hiroshima City (Hiroshima) | 21 March | 25 March |
| Osaka (Osaka) | 22 March | 27 March |
| Kanazawa (Ishikawa) | 27 March | 3 April |
| Niigata City (Niigata) | 2 April | 8 April |
| Nagano City (Nagano) | 6 April | 11 April |
| Aomori City (Aomori) | 19 April | 22 April |
| Sapporo (Hokkaido) | 27 April | 1 May |
| Kushiro (Hokkaido) | 12 May | 16 May |
Spectacular Cherry Blossom viewing locations around Japan
Fukuoka: Nishi Park in the north of the city is home to around 1,300 cherry blossom trees making it a top location to view the blooms. First opened in 1875, this historic park with views of the city, Hakata Bay, and its islands is a popular spot for picnics in spring and you’ll find abundant stalls selling food and drink during the flowering season.
Hiroshima: Hiroshima Castle is surrounded by as many as 450 cherry blossom trees, making it the perfect location to appreciate the beauty of Japan’s unique flora and historic architecture. Here, you’ll see the pink hue of cherry blossoms all around the grounds and lining the castle’s moat.
Osaka: Mt Yoshino has been a top viewing spot for centuries with its vast area home to 30,000 cherry blossom trees of different varieties. The cherry blossoms are easily visible from the many walking trails as well as the ropeway up the mountainside.
Tokyo: There are over 1000 trees in Tokyo’s Ueno Park, most of them lining the pathway between Keisei Ueno Station and the Tokyo National Museum. The branches from either side are so long that they reach out overhead, creating a tunnel-like effect. Chidorigafuchi Park is another great spot for viewing the cherry blossoms in Tokyo, especially if you decide to hire a paddle boat to see the colourful branches cascading down the banks of the river and reflecting in the water.
Tohoku Region: Mostly made up of rural communities, sprawling national parks, and hot spring resorts, Tohoku covers six of Honshu’s prefectures. Hirosaki Park in Aomori Prefecture is one of the region’s best cherry blossom viewing locations with around 2,300 trees and 50 different varieties – some of which are over 300 years old. Walk along the Sakura Tunnel on the West Moat, admire Hirosaki Castle among the blooms, or visit the park at night to see a spectacular display of illuminated colourful blooms.
Ibaraki Prefecture: Often overlooked by international travellers, Ibaraki is well worth visiting during cherry blossom season because many of its trees are the double-flowering variety. As the name suggests, this variety has twice as many petals as the typical cherry blossom tree. Around 2,300 of these trees can be found blooming Shizumine Park in Nakashi City.
Hokkaido: Hokkaido is the last area of Japan to experience the cherry blossom bloom. Visit Hokkaido Shrine next to Maruyama Park in Sapporo to see around 1,400 trees in full bloom around the shrine. The location is unique compared to many other viewing spots around Japan because Hokkaido’s climate sees both cherry blossoms and white and red plum blossoms flourish at the same time.
 forecast for 2024 has been unveiled, promising an early start to the season and a visual feast of vibrant blooms across the country. With Tokyo and Osaka set to be among the first locations to witness the colourful spectacle in March, excitement is building for an unforgettable experience amidst nature's splendour.){kind=link}