This is the time we’ve been all waiting for! The cherry blossoms in Japan (Sakura) is THE EVENT OF THE YEAR and everyone can’t wait to enjoy watching these gorgeous pink flowers.
The Sakura are actually more than just a flower in Japan, they are one of the important symbol of the country and they represent ephemeral beauty. Indeed, no matter how gorgeous they are, they only last 2 weeks, making us amazed and then a bit sad and melancholic.
But Sakura are also a symbol of hope cause they always return! 🙂
Cherry Blossom Forecast in Japan – 2026
The cherry blossoms forecast for 2026 were recently released and they will come a bit earlier than usual this year.
2 dates are important to note, the start of the blooming and the full bloom that usually occurs few days later. The best time to enjoy Sakura is when the flowers are completely open but don’t worry if you few days away from the exact date. As long as you visit the Sakura spots around that date, you will be fine!
The blooming of the cherry flowers depend significantly on the weather. That’s why they bloom at different times in the country.
You can also find below the forecasted flowering dates and full bloom dates for all major cities in Japan:
| Location | Forecasted flowering date | Forecasted full bloom date |
| Sapporo | 4/26 | 4/29 |
| Aomori | 4/18 | 4/22 |
| Sendai | 4/5 | 4/10 |
| Tokyo | 3/20 | 3/28 |
| Kanazawa | 4/2 | 4/8 |
| Nagano | 4/6 | 4/11 |
| Nagoya | 3/20 | 3/30 |
| Kyoto | 3/24 | 4/1 |
| Osaka | 3/24 | 4/1 |
| Wakayama | 3/27 | 4/3 |
| Hiroshima | 3/22 | 3/31 |
| Kochi | 3/20 | 3/28 |
| Fukuoka | 3/21 | 3/30 |
| Kagoshima | 3/26 | 4/6 |
Where to see Sakura in Japan?
Now that you know when the Sakura will bloom during spring 2026, you may want to know where to see them. We got you covered! Here are our lists of the best cherry blossom spots in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka:
- Best Cherry Blossom Spots in Tokyo
- Best Cherry Blossom Spots in Kyoto
- Best Cherry Blossom Spots in Osaka
Join a Sakura Photoshoot in Japan
It’s the new trendy activity in Japan! If you want to get great pictures while you visit Japan in Spring, you should hire a local photographer! They will know where to take you and how to make you look amazing surrounded by cherry blossoms.
One company that stands out for hiring a local photographer in Japan is Photo Trips. They even have Sakura-themed photoshoots to join so make sure to check them out below:
- Sakura Memories in Tokyo: Special Cherry Blossoms Photoshoot at Gorgeous Photo Spots
- Cherry Blossom Dreams – Sakura Photoshoot For Couples In Tokyo With Local Photographer
Additional Tips
Another important thing to note is that rains may accelerate the fall of the Sakura flowers. So check the weather regularly and plan your travel plans accordingly!
There’s another type of Sakura called Kawazu Zakura and they bloom earlier than the majority of the cherry blossoms (February). You can get more info here: Kawazu Zakura.
Another exciting time to travel to Japan is Autumn, specially to see the Momiji, the red maple leaves. If you are interested, check out the Autumn Foliage Forecast here!