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Hanami, or flower-watching, is as fickle in Japan as autumn leaf-peeping is in North America. Precisely when the flowers will open, and for the way lengthy they will be in bloom, varies by location and turns into tough to foretell. Nonetheless, the Japan Meteorological Company simply launched its 2026 cherry blossom season forecast — the most effective instruments vacationers have for planning a visit across the flowers.
In the event you’re hoping to catch this 12 months’s pure spectacle, take a look at JMC’s predictions for when the sakura blooms might be at their finest in numerous areas throughout Japan.
Associated: The most effective instances of 12 months to go to Japan
Japan’s 2026 cherry blossom forecast
In Tokyo, flowers are anticipated to begin blooming March 22 and attain full bloom every week later March 29. Kyoto and Osaka are anticipated to start their cherry blossom season barely later, March 25, with the flowers reaching full bloom April 1 in Osaka and April 2 in Kyoto.
Farther south, Fukuoka and Hiroshima might expertise a barely longer season, beginning March 22 and peaking on the primary day or two of April.
These dates shift later as you progress farther north, providing you with extra time to plan a visit. In Sendai, a couple of two-hour prepare experience north of Tokyo, flowers aren’t anticipated to open till April 6, and full bloom is forecast for April 11. Sapporo, on the northernmost island of Hokkaido, is predicted to start its season as late as April 26, with peak bloom forecast for April 30.
JMC’s forecast is predicated on elements like temperature, cherry tree development standing and knowledge from earlier years, however there isn’t any assure the flowers will stick with this schedule.
In the event you’re heading to Japan to chase cherry blossoms this 12 months, we advocate planning your journey primarily based on these predictions however nonetheless staying versatile. You might must be able to hop on a last-minute prepare, or perhaps a home flight, to a different vacation spot to see the flowers at their most stunning.
Make sure you obtain the Sakura Navi app. You may verify the cherry blossoms’ progress by location with the app’s Flowering Meter. The app will even notify you once you’re close to a cherry blossom viewing spot.
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Associated: keep away from the crowds whereas touring in Japan
Flight offers to Japan
It isn’t too late to plan a spring hanami journey, particularly when you’ve got factors and miles to burn. Whereas award flight offers in late March are scarce, there’s nonetheless good availability in April if you would like to fly into Tokyo and head to a northern vacation spot the place the flowers bloom just a little later.
American Airways affords nonstop flights to each of Tokyo’s worldwide airports from U.S. hubs like John F. Kennedy Worldwide Airport (JFK), Los Angeles Worldwide Airport (LAX) and Dallas Fort Value Worldwide Airport (DFW) for 35,000 AAdvantage miles one-way plus minimal taxes and costs. And AAdvantage award flights are simpler than ever to guide now that this system is a 1:1 switch companion of Citi ThankYou Rewards.
Or, you can guide this nonstop Hawaiian Airways flight from Seattle-Tacoma Worldwide Airport (SEA) to Tokyo’s Narita Worldwide Airport (NRT) via Alaska Airways’ website for 30,000 Atmos Rewards factors one-way, plus minimal taxes and costs. You may earn extra Atmos Rewards factors quick with one in all these cobranded card welcome affords.
British Airways and Qatar Airways have some offers from Los Angeles to Tokyo for underneath 30,000 Avios every approach, plus round $200 in taxes and costs. You may switch Avios from most main transferable factors applications in addition to between collaborating airline applications.
Backside line
If seeing Japan’s legendary cherry blossoms is one in all your journey targets for 2026, JMC’s cherry blossom forecast and the Sakura Navi app are your finest journey planning instruments. Simply keep in mind to remain versatile, as these dates might shift.
To proceed planning your cherry blossom journey, take a look at our information to visiting Japan on factors and miles and our round-up of one of the best motels in Tokyo.
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