Where do cherry blossoms bloom first and last in Japan?

Follow the cherry blossom front from subtropical Okinawa in winter to Hokkaido in late spring, and learn how to plan a trip along it.

Published October 21, 2026 at 7:20 AM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Quick answer: Cherry blossoms usually bloom first in Okinawa, where early-flowering trees open around January to February, then move through Kyushu in late March, Tokyo and Osaka in late March to early April, and reach Hokkaido around late April to mid May. This south-to-north progress is called the cherry blossom front (sakura zensen). Yearly weather shifts the dates.

The blossom front: a map that moves north

Japan stretches a long way from north to south, so cherry trees do not bloom at the same time everywhere. The progress of the flowering across the archipelago is called the sakura zensen, or cherry blossom front. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has described it as moving from Kyushu in late March to Hokkaido in the middle of May.

Warmer southern areas such as Kyushu and Shikoku bloom first on the main islands, according to the national tourism organization, while mountain areas, Tohoku and Hokkaido offer late-spring viewing. Television and newspapers have long tracked the front day by day, and forecast maps color each region by expected date.

For a visitor, the front is a useful planning tool. It explains why Tokyo might be full of petals while Sapporo is still bare, and why an itinerary that heads north can stretch the viewing season.

Where it starts: Okinawa and the early varieties

The earliest flowers belong to the far south. Okinawa has a subtropical climate with mild winters, and its well-known early variety opens around January to February, much sooner than the mainland. A reference article on hanami says Okinawa blooms around the second week of January. These flowers tend to be deeper pink than the pale mainland varieties and are enjoyed at winter festivals.

The famous mainland variety that most forecasts follow is the Yoshino cherry. The JMA tracks the season with sample trees at weather stations around the country, using Yoshino cherries in most places, Higan cherries in the south and Sargent's cherries in the north. In Okinawa, the sample sites include Naha, Ishigaki and Miyako-jima.

Because the types differ, the Okinawa season is a separate event from the mainland front. Visitors who want both can see winter flowers in Okinawa and the main spring wave a month or two later.

Typical dates in major cities

The national tourism organization's forecast page lists average first-bloom dates for several cities. Fukuoka and Kochi bloom around March 22, Tokyo and Nagoya around March 24, Osaka around March 27 and Hiroshima around March 25. Kanazawa averages about April 3, Sendai about April 8, Akita about April 17 and Aomori about April 22.

Further north, Sapporo averages about May 1 and Kushiro about May 16. The page describes the whole season as running from the latter half of March to as late as early May. Those are first-bloom dates, so full bloom usually follows a few days to a week later.

Treat these averages as a baseline. Each year the actual dates can come earlier or later, and the page notes that forecasts are subject to change with the weather. Check the latest forecast before you commit to a city.

How to follow the front on a trip

A common plan is to start in the south or in a large central city and move north as the weeks pass. For example, a traveler in Japan from late March into April could see Tokyo or Kyoto near the peak, then continue to Tohoku or a mountain town for later flowers. Rail passes and domestic flights make this kind of route possible.

If you have only one week, choose a base where the forecast overlaps your dates, and use day trips to catch nearby spots that bloom a little earlier or later. Higher-elevation places usually open after the city lowlands.

Book accommodation with flexible cancellation, since a warm or cool spring can move the front by a week or more. Keep a short list of backup cities in case your first choice is already past its peak.

Special cases: late and early visitors

Travelers who arrive in January or February can still find cherry blossoms in Okinawa, which offers a very different feel from the spring crowds of Kyoto or Tokyo. The weather is mild enough for light jackets, though it can be windy and showery.

Visitors who come in late April or early May may have missed the big cities, but Tohoku, the mountain areas and Hokkaido are in their prime. The national tourism organization highlights Matsumae Park in Hokkaido for late-spring blossoms. This period can also coincide with Golden Week, so book early and check transport schedules for the holiday.

Older travelers or families with young children may prefer to pick one region and stay longer, since constant travel can be tiring and bloom dates are not guaranteed. A relaxed base with short day trips often works better than a long chain of one-night stops.

Common mistakes and misunderstandings

One mistake is expecting a fixed date for each city. Dates vary year to year, and an early or late spring can shift them by a week or more. Another is assuming that Hokkaido blooms in April like the main islands, when its season is usually late April to May.

Some visitors also think the front is a single wave. In practice, trees open at slightly different times depending on elevation, sun exposure and local temperature, so a park can have early and late trees.

Finally, it is easy to overlook that the early Okinawa flowers are a different kind of cherry from those in Tokyo. They are lovely, but they are not the same experience as the mainland spring display.

Planning checklist and next steps

Use the JNTO forecast page and the JMA's observation information to track the front, and compare the averages with the current year's forecast. Choose a primary region and a backup, and keep your schedule flexible. Pack layers for changeable spring weather, and an umbrella for showers.

Respect park rules about mats, food and trash, and avoid touching or shaking branches. Evening events in some parks use lighting, but schedules differ by location, so check local notices. Leave extra time for crowded trains and park entrances at weekends.

If your dates are fixed, the front still gives options: start where the flowers are open on arrival, and head toward the next region as the season moves, using the daily forecast to decide where to go next. This guide shares general information; rules change, so confirm details with the official agency or provider before you act.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Hokkaido have cherry blossoms?

Yes. Hokkaido blooms later than the main islands, with Sapporo averaging around May 1 and Kushiro around mid May on the national tourism organization's forecast page. The island is a good choice for travelers who miss the spring bloom further south.

Can you see cherry blossoms in Okinawa in winter?

Yes, in some years and places. Okinawa has early-flowering cherry trees that open around January to February, long before the mainland. They are usually pinker than the mainland varieties, and winter festivals often celebrate them.

Who produces the cherry blossom forecast?

The Japan Meteorological Agency issued forecasts for many years but stopped in 2010, and private forecasters now provide them. The JMA still observes flowering at sample trees. Tourism sites, including the national tourism organization, publish forecasts that are subject to change.

Want to go deeper? Tokyo Paul's book Japan Cherry Blossom Photobook is available on Amazon.

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More guides from Tokyo Paul: How long do cherry blossoms last in Japan?, Is it better to visit Japan in spring or autumn? and Cherry Blossoms in the Rain: How to Enjoy Sakura on a Wet Day.