If a spring trip to Japan is even vaguely on your radar, some news was released this week that's worth paying attention to. On December 18th, the Japan Meteorological Corporation (JMC) published its first cherry blossom forecast for 2026, giving travelers an early look at when sakura are expected to bloom across the country.
It might feel too soon to think about March and April plans before we even hit the new year, but cherry blossom season is one of Japan's busiest travel periods. Flights, hotels, and even train seats can fill up quickly, especially in popular cities. Having a tentative plan based on these early projections can make a big difference.
According to JMC's first forecast, Tokyo and Nagoya are expected to see flowering around March 19th, with full bloom about a week later. Kyoto and Osaka, two of the most popular sakura destinations for visitors, are forecast to start flowering around March 24th, reaching peak bloom at the end of the month. In western Japan, places like Fukuoka and Hiroshima are also expected to flower in the third week of March.
If you're heading north, the season arrives later. Sendai is forecast to bloom in early April, while Aomori and Sapporo won't see peak blossoms until late April or early May. This staggered timing is great news for travelers who want to follow the cherry blossom front across different regions.
JMC will continue to update its forecast, with the next release scheduled for January 8th. For now, this first projection is a helpful starting point. Even penciling in rough dates can help you book smarter and make the most of one of Japan's most beautiful and in-demand seasons.
