Cherry Blossom Forecast 2027: When to See Sakura, City by City
When the cherry blossoms are expected to open in 2027, city by city, based on official averages and recent seasons, plus when the official forecasts come out and how to plan around them.
Quick answer
- Tokyo and Kyoto: first blooms usually in the last week of March, full bloom around 31 March to 4 April.
- Recent trend: blossoms have often opened earlier than average. Tokyo's opened on 19 March in 2026.
- Further north: Sendai in mid April, Hirosaki in late April, Sapporo in early May.
- Official forecasts: the first 2027 forecasts usually appear in January and are updated weekly.
- Best plan: book flights for late March to early April, then follow the forecasts.
Cherry blossom season is short. The trees in any one city look their best for about a week, and the exact dates move every year with the weather. You cannot know the 2027 dates yet, but averages and recent years give you a very good guide for booking.
Expected dates for 2027
The table shows the official average dates for the Somei Yoshino cherry, the most common variety. Recent springs have often run a few days ahead of these averages, so treat them as a guide rather than a promise.
| City | Average first bloom | Average full bloom |
|---|---|---|
| Fukuoka | 22 March | 31 March |
| Tokyo | 24 March | 31 March |
| Nagoya | 24 March | 2 April |
| Hiroshima | 25 March | 3 April |
| Kyoto | 26 March | 4 April |
| Osaka | 27 March | 4 April |
| Nara | 28 March | 4 April |
| Kanazawa | 3 April | 8 April |
| Sendai | 8 April | 13 April |
| Hakodate | 28 April | 2 May |
| Sapporo | 1 May | 6 May |
Our tip: Full bloom is usually about a week after the first flowers. The trees stay beautiful for around another week, depending on rain and wind.
How the forecasts work
- The Japan Meteorological Agency declares the official start in each city when a set sample tree shows five or six open flowers. In Tokyo the sample tree is at Yasukuni Shrine.
- Private weather companies, including the Japan Meteorological Corporation, Weathernews and tenki.jp, publish forecasts from about January.
- Forecasts are updated every week or two. They become reliable about two to three weeks before the bloom.
- A warm February and March brings the dates forward. A cold snap can delay them.
How to plan your trip
- Book flights for the window from about 25 March to 7 April if you want Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka.
- Book hotels early. Prices rise sharply, and Kyoto fills up months ahead.
- Stay flexible. Plan a north to south or south to north route so you can follow the blossoms.
- If you miss them in the cities, head to the mountains or north. Blossoms open later at altitude.
- Late-blooming varieties, such as yaezakura, flower about two weeks after the main trees.
Our tip: Our itinerary maker adds cherry blossom notes when you choose March or April.
Earlier and later blossoms
- Okinawa: a different, deep pink cherry blooms from mid January to February.
- Kawazu, Izu Peninsula: the early Kawazu cherry flowers from mid February to early March.
- Mount Yoshino: about 30,000 trees bloom in waves from the foot to the top of the mountain, usually early to mid April.
- Hirosaki Castle: one of Japan's finest displays, usually in late April.
- Kakunodate: weeping cherries over samurai houses, late April.
- Hokkaido: late April to mid May, the last of the season.
Frequently asked questions
When is cherry blossom season in 2027?
Most likely from late March to early April in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, and later further north. Official forecasts start in January.
When do the official 2027 forecasts come out?
Weather companies usually publish their first forecasts in January and update them through March.
How long does cherry blossom season last?
About two weeks in each city, from the first flowers to falling petals. Peak bloom lasts about a week.
What if I miss the cherry blossoms?
Travel north or into the mountains, where they bloom later, or look for late varieties such as yaezakura.
We checked this guide against the 3 official sources listed below. Last updated 31 October 2026. Basis: researched from official sources. Written and edited by Delfin, with AI-assisted research (how we work). Prices, hours and rules change, so confirm before you book. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
