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It might still be winter, but the arrival of the first sakura forecast gives those dreaming of cherry blossoms and warmer days something to look forward to. On January 8, the Japan Meteorological Corporation released its second 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.
In Tokyo, cherry blossoms are predicted to start flowering on March 20, with full bloom expected around March 27 – a few days earlier than last season.
As for other popular destinations, Kyoto is expected to see initial bloom by March 25, reaching full bloom by April 1. Sapporo is predicted to start flowering from April 27, with full bloom by May 1, while Fukuoka is expected to see flowers by March 21, reaching full bloom by March 30.
We'll continue to keep you posted as the forecast changes. The next update from the JMC is scheduled for January 22. In the meantime, you can still enjoy many of Tokyo’s spectacular illuminations and fun skating rinks.
For a closer look at the forecast, visit the website.
This article was published on December 19 2025 and updated on January 8 2026.
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