[April 4 Update] Cherry Blossom Forecast 2024! When’s the Best Time to Enjoy Japan’s Famous Springtime Cherry Blossom Viewing?

2024 Cherry Blossom Forecast: A Typical Year or a Little Early!

Every year, a cherry blossom forecast for both the first bloom and the full bloom is released for each region of Japan. These projections are based on the average temperatures over the previous fall and winter and the progressive growth rate of Yoshino cherry trees. This article is based on the Japan Meteorological Agency’s projected dates for the first bloom and full bloom of cherry blossoms for 2024. Please keep in mind that this is a forecast, so future weather conditions could impact the dates.

Nagoya is predicted to have one of the earliest blooming dates during the 2024 cherry blossom front, with subsequent blooming continuing across Japan in the following weeks. Due to higher-than-normal temperatures throughout fall and winter, the blooming front is expected to reach southern Tohoku in early April. April is estimated to see average temperatures, but the blooming period is still expected to be earlier than usual.

What Is a "First Bloom" or "Full Bloom," Anyway?

Let's quickly look at some of the different terms used in cherry blossom forecasting. The blossoming of 5-6 flowers is referred to as the "first bloom", while the blossoming of 30% of the flowers is called a "three-tenths bloom" and 50% is "half-bloom." The cherry tree is considered to be in “full bloom” when at least 80% of the buds have bloomed. Every region has certain sample trees, among which are trees from Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo and Osaka Castle Park. Staff from the Meteorological Agency will visually confirm the state of these sample trees to provide the most up-to-date information on when the cherry blossom trees in the region reach first bloom, three-tenths bloom, half-bloom, full bloom, or when they start to fall.

You’ll only find 5-6 flowers right after the first bloom, which isn't quite enough to enjoy hanami, the Japanese custom of flower viewing. The ideal time to see cherry blossoms is right around full bloom. Hopefully, you can use the following forecast information to find the best time to participate in this iconic Japanese pastime.

Hokkaido and Tohoku Regions (Hokkaido, Aomori, Akita, Iwate, Miyagi, Yamagata, and Fukushima Prefectures)

This year, the cherry blossom season in Hokkaido is expected to fall from late April to early May, while the Tohoku region is set for early to mid-April. Both Hokkaido and the Tohoku region are expected to see earlier blooming periods than usual.

Sapporo (Hokkaido)
First Bloom: April 27 | Full Bloom: April 30
Popular Viewing Sites: Maruyama Park, Hokkaido Jingu Shrine, Moerenuma Park

Hakodate (Hokkaido)
First Bloom: April 23 | Full Bloom: April 27
Popular Viewing Sites: Goryokaku Park, Hakodate Park

Aomori (Aomori Prefecture)
First Bloom: April 15 | Full Bloom: April 18
Popular Viewing Sites: Gappo Park (Aomori), Hirosaki Park (Hirosaki), Towada Government Offices Street (Towada)

Morioka (Iwate Prefecture)
First Bloom: April 11 | Full Bloom: April 16
Popular Viewing Sites: Rock-Breaking Cherry Tree (or “Ishiwarizakura”), Morioka Castle Ruins Park, Kitakami Tenshochi Park (Kitakami)

Akita (Akita Prefecture)
First Bloom: April 12 | Full Bloom: April 16
Popular Viewing Sites: Senshu Park (Akita), Noshiro Park (Noshiro)

Sendai (Miyagi Prefecture)
First Bloom: April 2 | Full Bloom: April 6
Popular Viewing Sites: Tsutsujigaoka Park, Nishi Park, Tenshukaku Nature Park

Yamagata (Yamagata Prefecture)
First Bloom: April 7 | Full Bloom: April 12
Popular Viewing Sites: Mamigasaki Sakura Line (Yamagata), Tsuruoka Park (Tsuruoka), Matsugasaki Park (Yonezawa), Tendo Park (Tendo)

Fukushima (Fukushima Prefecture)
First Bloom: April 3 | Full Bloom: April 7
Popular Viewing Sites: Mount Shinobu Park (Fukushima), Hanamiyama Park (Fukushima), Tsurugajo Park (Aizuwakamatsu)

Kanto and Koshin Regions (Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba, Saitama, Ibaraki, Gunma, Tochigi, Yamanashi, and Nagano Prefectures)

In a typical year, first bloom in the Kanto and Koshin regions starts between late March and early April, and it’s expected that 2024 will be earlier than usual. Kofu in Yamanashi Prefecture is projected to have the earliest first bloom, with the latest occurring in Nagano Prefecture which sees a lot of visitors from Japan’s capital area.

Central Tokyo (Tokyo)
First Bloom: March 29 | Full Bloom: April 4
Popular Viewing Sites: Meguro River, Chidorigafuchi Park (near the Imperial Palace), Shinjuku Gyoen (Shinjuku), Nihonbashi Sakura Street (next to Tokyo Station), Rikugien Gardens (Komagome), Ueno Park (Ueno), Yoyogi Park (Harajuku), Sumida Park (near the Tokyo Sky Tree), Inokashira Park (Kichijoji)

Yokohama (Kanagawa Prefecture)
First Bloom: April 1 | Full Bloom: April 7
Popular Viewing Sites: Yokohama Park, Yamashita Park, Sakura-dori Street and Kishamichi Promenade, Ooka River

Kumagaya (Saitama Prefecture)
First Bloom: March 31 | Full Bloom: April 8
Popular Viewing Sites: Omiya Park (Saitama), Kumagaya Sakura Tsutsumi (Kumagaya), Seiunji (Chichibu), Nagatoro Sakura (Nagatoro), Musashi-Kyuryo National Government Park (Namegawa)

Choshi (Chiba Prefecture)
First Bloom: April 1 | Full Bloom: April 7
Popular Viewing Sites: Inohana Park (Chiba), Izumi Nature Park (Chiba), Aobanomori Park (Chiba)

Mito (Ibaraki Prefecture)
First Bloom: March 31 | Full Bloom: April 8
Popular Viewing Sites: Kairakuen, Gokoku Shrine, Lake Senba

Utsunomiya (Tochigi Prefecture)
First Bloom: March 31 | Full Bloom: April 5
Popular Viewing Sites: Nikko Kaido Cherry Trees (Utsunomiya), Hachimanyama Park (Utsunomiya), Senjusan Park (Kanuma)

Maebashi (Gunma Prefecture)
First Bloom: March 31 | Full Bloom: April 8
Popular Viewing Sites: Maebashi Park (Maebashi), Akagi Nanmen Senbonzakura (Maebashi), Takasaki Kannonyama Park (Takasaki)

Kofu (Yamanashi Prefecture)
First Bloom: March 29 | Full Bloom: April 5
Popular Viewing Sites: Kanazakura Shrine (Kofu), Lake Kawaguchiko (Kawaguchiko), Jiunji (Koshu)

Nagano (Nagano Prefecture)
First Bloom: April 8 | Full Bloom: April 10
Popular Viewing Sites: Shiroyama Park (Nagano), Matsumoto Castle (Matsumoto), Kozenji Temple (Komagane)

▼Related articles:
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Tokai and Hokuriku Regions (Aichi, Gifu, Mie, Niigata, Toyama, Ishikawa, Fukui, and Shizuoka Prefectures)

The Tokai and Hokuriku region’s earliest first blooms are expected to occur in Nagoya and Gifu. This year, March is predicted to be warmer than usual, so the first bloom is expected to be the same as average or earlier.

Nagoya (Aichi)
First Bloom: March 28 | Full Bloom: April 7
Popular Viewing Sites: Nagoya Castle (Nagoya), Tsuruma Park (Nagoya), Inuyama Castle (Inuyama)

Gifu (Gifu Prefecture)
First Bloom: March 27 | Full Bloom: April 4
Popular Viewing Sites: Shirakawa-go (Shirakawa), Usuzumi Park (Motosu), Sunomata Ichiya Castle (Ogaki)

Tsu (Mie)
First Bloom: March 30 | Full Bloom: April 2
Popular Viewing Sites: Tsu Kairaku Park (Tsu), Nabari Central Park (Nabari), Ueno Castle (Iga)

Niigata (Niigata Prefecture)
First Bloom: April 6 | Full Bloom: April 9
Popular Viewing Sites: Takada Park (Takada), Matsugamine (Joetsu), Nakago no Sakura (Tsunan)

Toyama (Toyama Prefecture)
First Bloom: April 2 | Full Bloom: April 5
Popular Viewing Sites: Matsukawa Park, Shio-no-Senbon Sakura

Kanazawa (Ishikawa)
First Bloom: April 1 | Full Bloom: April 8
Popular Viewing Sites: Kenroku-en, Kanazawa Castle Park, Mount Utatsu Park

Fukui (Fukui Prefecture)
First Bloom: April 1 | Full Bloom: April 6
Popular Sites: Asuwayama Park (Fukui), Kanegasaki Park (Tsuruga), Nishiyama Park (Sabae)

Shizuoka (Shizuoka Prefecture)
First Bloom: March 30 | Full Bloom: April 8
Popular Viewing Sites: Sunpu Castle Park (Shizuoka), Hamamatsu Castle Park (Hamamatsu), Urui River (Fujinomiya), Fuji Cemetery (Oyama)

Kinki Region (Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Hyogo, Shiga, and Wakayama Prefectures)

The Kinki region is full of famous tourist destinations like Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara, as well as many beloved cherry blossom sites. First bloom will start in Kyoto and Wakayama before continuing on to Osaka and Nara. This year is predicted to be the same as average or earlier.

Osaka (Osaka Prefecture)
First Bloom: March 30 | Full Bloom: April 6
Popular Viewing Sites: Japan Mint (Osaka), Osaka Castle Park (Osaka), Expo Commemoration Park (Suita)

Hikone (Shiga Prefecture)
First Bloom: April 2 | Full Bloom: April 6
Popular Viewing Sites: Hikone Castle (Hikone), Kaizu Osaki (Takashima), Ishiyama-dera Temple (Otsu), Mii-dera Temple (Otsu)

Kyoto (Kyoto Prefecture)
First Bloom: March 29 | Full Bloom: April 5
Popular Viewing Sites: Daigo-ji Temple, Maruyama Park, Tetsugaku-no-Michi (Philosopher’s Path), Arashiyama and Togetsukyo Bridge, To-ji Temple, Keage Incline, Ninna-ji, Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Heian Jingu Shrine, Kyoto Gyoen National Garden

Kobe (Hyogo Prefecture)
First Bloom: April 1 | Full Bloom: April 7
Popular Viewing Sites: Himeji Castle (Himeji), Shukugawa Park (Nishinomiya), Hiokayama Park (Kakogawa)

Nara (Nara Prefecture)
First Bloom: March 31 | Full Bloom: April 8
Popular Viewing Sites: Nara Park, Kofukuji Hokuendo Temple, Nara Gokoku Shrine

Wakayama (Wakayama Prefecture)
First Bloom: March 30 | Full Bloom: April 3
Popular Viewing Sites: Wakayama Castle, Kimiidera Temple, Daikado River

▼Related articles:
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Chugoku and Shikoku Regions (Hiroshima, Tottori, Shimane, Okayama, Yamaguchi, Tokushima, Kagawa, Ehime, and Kochi Prefectures)

It’s forecast that cherry blossoms in the Chugoku (Tottori, Shimane, Okayama, Hiroshima, Yamaguchi) and Shikoku (Tokushima, Kagawa, Ehime, Kochi) regions will bloom either as normal or earlier than normal.

Hiroshima (Hiroshima Prefecture)
First Bloom: March 25 | Full Bloom: April 5
Popular Viewing Sites: Peace Memorial Park (Hiroshima), Shofukujiyama Park (Higashihiroshima), To-no-mine Senbonzakura (Mihara)

Tottori (Tottori Prefecture)
First Bloom: March 29 | Full Bloom: April 6
Popular Viewing Sites: Kyusho Park (Tottori), Shikano Castle Ruins Park (Tottori), Hoki Shiawase no Sato (Kurayoshi), Minatoyama Park (Yonago)

Matsue (Shimane)
First Bloom: March 28 | Full Bloom: April 3
Popular Viewing Sites: Matsue Jozan Park, Tamayu Riverbank

Okayama (Okayama Prefecture)
First Bloom: March 30 | Full Bloom: April 5
Popular Viewing Sites: Asahi River Sakura Road (Okayama), Okayama Korakuen (Okayama), Tsuyama Castle (Tsuyama)

Shimonoseki (Yamaguchi Prefecture)
First Bloom: March 29 | Full Bloom: April 5
Popular Viewing Sites: Ruriko-ji Five Story Pagoda (Yamaguchi), Hinoyama Park (Shimonoseki), Kintaikyo Bridge (Iwakuni)

Tokushima (Tokushima Prefecture)
First Bloom: April 1 | Full Bloom: April 6
Popular Viewing Sites: Tokushima Central Park (Tokushima), Ikuna Cherry Blossoms (Katsuura), Yuka no Sato (Kamiyama)

Takamatsu (Kagawa)
First Bloom: March 29 | Full Bloom: April 5
Popular Viewing Sites: Ritsurin Garden (Takamatsu), Shiudeyama (Mitoyo), Asahiyama Forest Park (Mitoyo)

Matsuyama (Ehime)
First Bloom: March 27 | Full Bloom: April 5
Popular Viewing Sites: Matsuyama Castle (Matsuyama), Dogo Park (Matsuyama), Mt. Sekizenzan (Kamijima)

Kochi (Kochi Prefecture)
First Bloom: March 23 | Full Bloom: March 31
Popular Viewing Sites: Kochi Castle/Kochi Park (Kochi), Godaisan Park (Kochi), Kagamino Park (Kami)

▼Related article:
The 12 Best Cherry Blossom Spots In Hiroshima

Kyushu Region (Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Oita, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima Prefectures)

First blooms in the Kyushu region are expected to be the same as average. This southern region of Japan boasts a relatively warm climate compared to the rest of the mainland, so the first bloom tends to arrive pretty early. However, it is also known to have a slightly longer period between the first bloom and full bloom than other areas.

Fukuoka (Fukuoka Prefecture)
First Bloom: March 27 | Full Bloom: April 2
Popular Viewing Sites: Maizuru Park (Fukuoka), Shiranoe Botanical Garden (Kitakyushu), Katsuyama Park (Kitakyushu)

Saga (Saga Prefecture)
First Bloom: March 29 | Full Bloom: April 2
Popular Viewing Sites: Ogi Park (Ogi), Hoshu-ji Temple (Kanzaki), Uranosaki Station (Imari), Nandoryo (Ureshino)

Nagasaki (Nagasaki Prefecture)
First Bloom: March 26 | Full Bloom: April 2
Popular Viewing Sites: Tateyama Park (Nagasaki), Kazagashira Park (Nagasaki), Omura Park (Omura)

Kumamoto (Kumamoto Prefecture)
First Bloom: March 26 | Full Bloom: April 2
Popular Viewing Sites: Kumamoto Castle (Kumamoto), Isshingyo Sakura Tree (Minamiaso), Tachioka Nature Park (Uto)

Oita (Oita Prefecture)
First Bloom: March 30 | Full Bloom: April 5
Popular Viewing Sites: Fudoson Isshin-ji Temple (Oita), Mount Tsurumi (Beppu), Osada Park (Nakatsu)

Miyazaki (Miyazaki Prefecture)
First Bloom: March 25 | Full Bloom: April 3
Popular Viewing Sites: Darumizu Park (Miyazaki), Mochio Park (Miyakonojo), Hanatate Park (Nichinan)

Kagoshima (Kagoshima Prefecture)
First Bloom: March 29 | Full Bloom: April 7
Popular Viewing Sites: Sengan-en (Kagoshima), Takaoka Park (Aira), Kirishima Jingu Shrine (Kirishima)

▼Related article:
11 Cherry Blossom Spots Around Fukuoka: A Must-See for Spring Visits!

Conclusion

Cherry blossoms begin to fall about a week after full bloom, so you have two weeks at most to enjoy them. The length of the cherry blossom viewing season depends on how long the warm weather continues.

The blooming of cherry blossoms marks the arrival of spring in Japan, and their brief, ephemeral beauty serves as a reminder of that which is precious every year.

*Predictions for each city are based on information current as of February 2024.

▼Related Articles
A Comprehensive Guide to Hanami Etiquette
17 Facts You Probably Didn't Know About Sakura
20 Best Places to Enjoy Sakura Cherry Blossoms in Japan

References:

Japan Meteorological Corporation "2024 Cherry Blossom First Bloom and Full Bloom Forecast (5th edition)" (2/26/2024)