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Now that we’re less than a month away from sakura season, updates are coming in more frequently – giving those dreaming of cherry blossoms and warmer days something to look forward to. On March 5, the Japan Meteorological Corporation released its seventh cherry blossom forecast of 2026, giving us a good idea of when sakura season is expected to begin.
The JMC forecast predicts the first flowering and full bloom dates of the popular somei yoshino variety of cherry blossoms for around 1,000 destinations across Japan. This highly anticipated forecast is based on temperature patterns from this past autumn and has been released slightly earlier than usual. The agency is also incorporating artificial intelligence to provide earlier dates, helping people plan their sakura trips more effectively.
Due to the recent warm weather in Tokyo, the forecast has shifted a few days earlier with cherry blossoms now predicted to start flowering on March 19, with full bloom expected around March 28.
As for other popular destinations, Kyoto is expected to see initial bloom by March 23, reaching full bloom by April 1. Sapporo is predicted to start flowering from April 25, with full bloom by April 28, while Fukuoka is expected to see flowers by March 19, reaching full bloom by March 29.
We'll continue to keep you posted as the forecast changes. The next update from the JMC is scheduled for next week on March 12. In the meantime, you can enjoy the early blooming plum and winter cherry blossoms around Tokyo.
For a closer look at the forecast, visit the website.
This article was published on December 19 2025 and updated on March 5 2026.
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