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Now that we’re just days from sakura season, updates are coming in on a weekly basis – giving those dreaming of cherry blossoms and warmer days something to look forward to. On March 12, the Japan Meteorological Corporation released its eighth 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.
As for Tokyo, the forecast hasn’t changed much since the last update, with cherry blossoms still expected to start flowering on March 19, and full bloom predicted for March 27.
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 20, reaching peak 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 19. In the meantime, you can already enjoy numerous cherry blossom events and festivals around the city.
For a closer look at the forecast, visit the website.
This article was published on December 19 2025 and updated on March 12 2026.
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