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Japan cherry blossom 2023: When and where to see sakura

The blooming time is also affected by the sakura species.

Cherry blossoms with Tokyo Sky Tree in Japan. (Photo: Getty Images)
Cherry blossoms with Tokyo Sky Tree in Japan. (Photo: Getty Images)

The Japan Meteorological Corporation recently announced the forecast on when cherry blossoms, also known as sakura, will bloom in various parts of Japan.

In general, the peak season for hanami, literally viewing flowers in Japanese, which in this case is the cherry blossoms, is between late March and early April. The sakura in southern Japan (Kagoshima, Fukuoka) will usually start to bloom first, followed by those on Japan’s main island (Osaka, Kyoto), and lastly northern Japan (Hokkaido).

However, the blooming time is also affected by the sakura species, the exact location of the sakura (hence the temperature of the environment), and fluctuations in temperature. As such, the forecast only serves as a guide for when the sakura may bloom and not its exact flowering date.

After the first bloom, the cherry blossoms will reach their full bloom in about a week. The full bloom — when the sakura looks the most beautiful — will continue to last for about two weeks.

Below is the Japan Meteorological Corporation's official cherry blossom forecast for this year, as of 11 January 2023, and some of the top spots and tours (listed by regions) to see these magnificent blooms, which you can book on KKday Singapore.

City (from northeast to southwest): First Bloom (Full Bloom)
Sapporo: 2 May (5 May)
Aomori: 22 April (26 April)
Sendai: 8 April (13 April)
Tokyo: 22 March (30 March)
Kanazawa: 4 April (10 April)
Nagano: 9 April (15 April)
Nagoya: 25 March (4 April)
Kyoto: 27 March (5 April)
Osaka: 28 March (5 April)
Wakayama: 27 March (4 April)
Hiroshima: 26 March (4 April)
Kochi: 22 March (30 March)
Fukuoka: 23 March (1 April)
Kagoshima: 27 March (7 April)

READ:

Japan travel: 10 things to do in Osaka

Breathtaking winter destinations in Japan

Less-travelled destinations to consider for a wintry holiday

Start your year by planning your travels for 2023!

HOKKAIDO (SAPPORO) & TOHOKU (AOMORI, SENDAI)

Hokkaido Goryokaku Tower Ticket

S$9.26 at KKDay

Hokkaido Goryokaku Tower Ticket. (Photo: KKday SG)
Hokkaido Goryokaku Tower Ticket. (Photo: KKday SG)

[2023 Cherry Blossom Season] Northeast One-Day Tour | Zao Snow Wall & Ogawara Thousand Cherry Trees | Departure from Sendai

S$130.21 at KKDay

[2023 Cherry Blossom Season] Northeast One-Day Tour | Zao Snow Wall & Ogawara Thousand Cherry Trees | Departure from Sendai. (Photo: KKday SG)
[2023 Cherry Blossom Season] Northeast One-Day Tour | Zao Snow Wall & Ogawara Thousand Cherry Trees | Departure from Sendai. (Photo: KKday SG)

KANTO (TOKYO)

[Japanese Cherry Blossom Season Limited] Tokyo Suburb Miura Cherry Blossom Viewing, Strawberry All You Can Eat, Tuna Fish Market Chartered One-day Tour (Six or Nine-person Small Group)

S$35.45 at KKDay

[Japanese Cherry Blossom Season Limited] Tokyo Suburb Miura Cherry Blossom Viewing, Strawberry All You Can Eat, Tuna Fish Market Chartered One-day Tour (Six or Nine-person Small Group). (Photo: KKday SG)
[Japanese Cherry Blossom Season Limited] Tokyo Suburb Miura Cherry Blossom Viewing, Strawberry All You Can Eat, Tuna Fish Market Chartered One-day Tour (Six or Nine-person Small Group). (Photo: KKday SG)

Tokyo Cherry Blossoms & Rapeseed Blossoms One-Day Tour|Taihei Mountain Cherry Blossom Tunnel & Gongendo Sakura Bank & Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine

S$101.90 at KKDay

Tokyo Cherry Blossoms & Rapeseed Blossoms One-Day Tour|Taihei Mountain Cherry Blossom Tunnel & Gongendo Sakura Bank & Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. (Photo: KKday SG)
Tokyo Cherry Blossoms & Rapeseed Blossoms One-Day Tour|Taihei Mountain Cherry Blossom Tunnel & Gongendo Sakura Bank & Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. (Photo: KKday SG)

Tokyo Cherry Blossom Watching Tour: Odawara Castle, Hakone Sightseeing Cruise & Arakurayama Sengen Park

S$118.37 at KKDay

Tokyo Cherry Blossom Watching Tour: Odawara Castle, Hakone Sightseeing Cruise & Arakurayama Sengen Park. (Photo: KKday SG)
Tokyo Cherry Blossom Watching Tour: Odawara Castle, Hakone Sightseeing Cruise & Arakurayama Sengen Park. (Photo: KKday SG)

CHUBU (KANAZAWA, NAGANO, NAGOYA)

Izu Cherry Blossom One-day Tour | Strawberry Picking at Izu Fruit Park, Kawazu Sakura, Sakura no Sato, Joren Waterfall | Departure from Shinjuku

S$101.90 at KKDay

Izu Cherry Blossom One-day Tour | Strawberry Picking at Izu Fruit Park, Kawazu Sakura, Sakura no Sato, Joren Waterfall | Departure from Shinjuku. (Photo: KKday SG)
Izu Cherry Blossom One-day Tour | Strawberry Picking at Izu Fruit Park, Kawazu Sakura, Sakura no Sato, Joren Waterfall | Departure from Shinjuku. (Photo: KKday SG)

Kawazu Sakura Festival, enjoy Japanese set lunch and strawberry picking!

S$138.96 at KKDay

Kawazu Sakura Festival, enjoy Japanese set lunch and strawberry picking. (Photo: KKday SG)
Kawazu Sakura Festival, enjoy Japanese set lunch and strawberry picking. (Photo: KKday SG)

[Japan] Cherry Blossom Viewing, Plum Blossom Viewing, Rapeseed Blossom Hot Spring 2-Day Tour|Izu Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival & Miura Kaigan Kawazu Sakura & Rapeseed Flower Field & Atami Plum Forest|Departure from Tokyo

S$168.81 at KKDay

[Japan] Cherry Blossom Viewing, Plum Blossom Viewing, Rapeseed Blossom Hot Spring 2-Day Tour|Izu Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival & Miura Kaigan Kawazu Sakura & Rapeseed Flower Field & Atami Plum Forest|Departure from Tokyo. (Photo: KKday SG)
[Japan] Cherry Blossom Viewing, Plum Blossom Viewing, Rapeseed Blossom Hot Spring 2-Day Tour|Izu Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival & Miura Kaigan Kawazu Sakura & Rapeseed Flower Field & Atami Plum Forest|Departure from Tokyo. (Photo: KKday SG)

Okazaki Sakura Festival with Boating and Enjoy Lighted Up Sakura

S$123.52 at KKDay

Okazaki Sakura Festival with Boating and Enjoy Lighted Up Sakura. (Photo: KKday SG)
Okazaki Sakura Festival with Boating and Enjoy Lighted Up Sakura. (Photo: KKday SG)

Nagoya Castle and Shirotori Park with Beautiful Sakura Views

S$102.93 at KKDay

Nagoya Castle and Shirotori Park with Beautiful SAKURA Views. (Photo: KKday SG)
Nagoya Castle and Shirotori Park with Beautiful SAKURA Views. (Photo: KKday SG)

Experience of Inuyama Festival with the Castle and Sakura Views

S$123.52 at KKDay

Experience of Inuyama Festival with the Castle and SAKURA Views. (Photo: KKday SG)
Experience of Inuyama Festival with the Castle and SAKURA Views. (Photo: KKday SG)

KANSAI (KYOTO, OSAKA, WAKAYAMA)

The Great Buddha of Sakura and Beautiful Mount Yoshinoyama Nara

S$163.66 at KKDay

The Great Buddha of Sakura and Beautiful Mount Yoshinoyama Nara. (Photo: KKday SG)
The Great Buddha of Sakura and Beautiful Mount Yoshinoyama Nara. (Photo: KKday SG)

Kansai Cherry Blossom One-Day Tour|Sakura Viewing Boat by Water Bus, Cherry Blossom Tunnel at Ogawarte Tsuki, Thousand Cherry Blossoms in Osaka Castle Park, Uji Walking Tour in Kyoto|Departure from Osaka

S$91.81 at KKDay

Kansai Cherry Blossom One-Day Tour|Sakura Viewing Boat by Water Bus, Cherry Blossom Tunnel at Ogawarte Tsuki, Thousand Cherry Blossoms in Osaka Castle Park, Uji Walking Tour in Kyoto|Departure from Osaka. (Photo: KKday SG)
Kansai Cherry Blossom One-Day Tour|Sakura Viewing Boat by Water Bus, Cherry Blossom Tunnel at Ogawarte Tsuki, Thousand Cherry Blossoms in Osaka Castle Park, Uji Walking Tour in Kyoto|Departure from Osaka. (Photo: KKday SG)

[Japan Cherry Blossom Season Limited] Nara Yoshino Cherry Blossom One-day Tour|Osaka Departure from Shinsaibashi

S$96.56 at KKDay

[Japan Cherry Blossom Season Limited] Nara Yoshino Cherry Blossom One-day Tour|Osaka Departure from Shinsaibashi. (Photo: KKday SG)
[Japan Cherry Blossom Season Limited] Nara Yoshino Cherry Blossom One-day Tour|Osaka Departure from Shinsaibashi. (Photo: KKday SG)

CHUGOKU (HIROSHIMA) & SHIKOKU (KOCHI)

Kintaikyo Bridge and Hiroshima city Cherry Blossom 1 Day Tour from Hiroshima

S$131.75 at KKDay

Kintaikyo Bridge and Hiroshima city Cherry Blossom 1 Day Tour from Hiroshima. (Photo: KKday SG)
Kintaikyo Bridge and Hiroshima city Cherry Blossom 1 Day Tour from Hiroshima. (Photo: KKday SG)

Okayama Cherry Blossom 1 Day Walking Tour with Boat Ride Experience and Town Strolling Coupon

S$131.75 at KKDay

Okayama Cherry Blossom 1 Day Walking Tour with Boat Ride Experience and Town Strolling Coupon. (Photo: KKday SG)
Okayama Cherry Blossom 1 Day Walking Tour with Boat Ride Experience and Town Strolling Coupon. (Photo: KKday SG)

KYUSHU (FUKUOKA, KAGOSHIMA)

Kokura Castle Cherry Blossom, Mojiko Retro & Kimono Wearing Experience

S$138.96 at KKDay

Kokura Castle Cherry Blossom, Mojiko Retro & Kimono Wearing Experience. (Photo: KKday SG)
Kokura Castle Cherry Blossom, Mojiko Retro & Kimono Wearing Experience. (Photo: KKday SG)

Nokonoshima BBQ Party, Cherry Blossom & Nanohana Wonderful Trip

S$164.69 at KKDay

Nokonoshima BBQ Party, Cherry Blossom & Nanohana Wonderful Trip. (Photo: KKday SG)
Nokonoshima BBQ Party, Cherry Blossom & Nanohana Wonderful Trip. (Photo: KKday SG)

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