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Some good news to get you through the winter blues. The trusty Japan Meteorological Corporation (JMC) has just released the second update to its official cherry blossom forecast for 2026. According to the January 22 report, sakura season will still arrive slightly earlier than usual this year in Osaka and Kyoto.
Every year, JMC issues nationwide predictions for both the initial flowering and full bloom dates of somei yoshino, Japan’s most iconic and prevalent cherry blossom species. Through its dedicated website, you can check the estimated bloom dates for around 1,000 cherry blossom destinations across the country, from Hokkaido in the north to Kagoshima in the south.
So what does the latest forecast reveal for the Kansai region? In Osaka, cherry blossoms are predicted to begin flowering on March 25, with trees reaching full bloom around April 1. Kyoto will also see its sakura blooming around March 25, but reaching full bloom a day later than Osaka, on April 2. That’s roughly one to three days earlier than average.
Elsewhere in Kansai, the outlook is similar. In Nara, flowering is expected to start around March 27, with full bloom (known as mankai) happening around April 3. In Kobe and Wakayama, however, sakura is expected to arrive around March 28. Peak bloom is forecast for April 4 in Wakayama and April 5 in Kobe.
As always, this is just the third forecast. Actual blooming dates may change depending on weather patterns. We’ll keep you informed when JMC releases its next update on February 5.
In the meantime, start planning your spring trip with our guide to the best cherry blossom viewing spots in Osaka, as well as our list of the most exciting arts and cultural events coming to Kyoto this year.
This article was first published on December 19 and updated on January 29.
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