Visiting Japan in 2026? Here are the best dates to see cherry blossoms at their peak
Beyond its cuisine and historic temples, many tourists visit Japan to witness the beauty of its sakura blossoms. \
Each spring, travelers gather at famous viewing spots such as Ueno Park, Maruyama Park, Hirosaki Castle, and the Meguro River, where the cherry trees bloom at their peak.
According to the Japan Meteorological Corporation’s first forecast for spring 2026, cherry blossoms are expected to appear from as early as March 19 in Nagoya until May 1 in Sapporo.
If you're planning to see the cherry blossoms in 2026, here's a forecast of their expected peak bloom so you can time your visit.
- Sapporo – flowering: April 28, full bloom: May 1
- Aomori – flowering: April 19, full bloom: April 22
- Sendai – flowering: April 5, full bloom: April 10
- Tokyo – flowering: March 19, full bloom: March 26
- Kanazawa – flowering: March 31, full bloom: April 6
- Nagano – flowering: April 6, full bloom: April 11
- Nagoya – flowering: March 19, full bloom: March 28
- Kyoto – flowering: March 24, full bloom: March 31
- Osaka – flowering: March 24, full bloom: March 31
- Wakayama – flowering: March 26, full bloom: April 2
- Hiroshima – flowering: March 21, full bloom: March 30
- Kochi – flowering: March 20, full bloom: March 27
- Fukuoka – flowering: March 20, full bloom: March 29
- Kagoshima – flowering: March 24, full bloom: April 3
JMC explained that the cherry blossom's flowering and full bloom dates depend on temperature patterns from the previous autumn. The buds form in summer and must go through dormancy and growth before flowering.
During dormancy, cherry blossom buds show no visible growth. Once they enter the growth stage, the buds gradually develop, and their tips turn yellowish-green.
JMC's next update will be on Jan. 8, 2026.
Don’t have a Japan visa yet? You can still enjoy cherry blossom beauty in other places, such as Atok in Benguet, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.
