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Cherry blossom forecast 2019: 'Sakura' coming earlier than usual to Tokyo

6 Comments
By Casey Baseel, SoraNews24

It’s time to start looking forward to spring, and in Japan, that means looking forward to cherry blossoms. Sure, we got a sneak preview thanks to some unusual weather back in October, but the true sakura season doesn’t start until April…or wait, is it March? May?

As beautiful as Japan’s cherry blossoms are, they’re also tremendously fickle as to when they’ll make their appearance. Thankfully, though, the Japan Meteorological Corporation has just released its forecast of when the flowers are expected to bloom this year, with March 18 being the first predicted date for sakura to bloom (outside of tropical Okinawa Prefecture).

That March 18 debut date, however, is for Kochi, on the island of Shikoku. If you’re looking to get your sakura fix in Japan’s capital, March 22 is when the cherry blossoms will start to bloom in Tokyo, Japan Meteorological Corporation says, which is four days earlier than average for the city. On the other hand, if you want to see sakura in Kyoto, you’ll need to wait until March 25.

The by-city predicted dates of first blossoming are:

● Kochi: March 18

● Fukuoka: March 20

● Tokyo: March 22

● Nagoya: March 22

● Hiroshima: March 23

● Wakayama: March 24

● Kyoto: March 25

● Osaka: March 27

● Kagoshima: March 28

● Kanazawa: April 2

● Nagano: April 9

● Sendai: April 9

● Aomori: April 24

● Sapporo: May 4

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However, what’s arguably more important than when the sakura start to blossom is when they’ll be in full bloom. That usually takes about a week (give or take a few days), and Japan Meteorological Corporation predicts full bloom for Tokyo to occur on March 29. That’s good news for Tokyoites and Tokyo travelers, since March 29 is Friday, which would make the following March 30-31 weekend the perfect time for hanami cherry blossom viewing parties in Tokyo’s parks and gardens. Allowing for a similar time-lapse, the best cherry blossom-viewing weekends for other cities are predicted to be:

● Kochi: March 23-24

● Fukuoka: March 30-31

● Kyoto: April 6-7

● Osaka: April 6-7

● Sendai: April 13-14

● Aomori: April 27-28

● Sapporo: May 11-12

We should also mention that these are Japan Meteorological Corporation’s current estimates, and are subject to revision should unexpected changes to sakura-related conditions occur.

Sources: @Press, Japan Meteorological Corporation

Read more stories from SoraNews24.

-- Cherry blossom forecast 2018: Sakura expected to come to Tokyo earlier than usual this year!

-- Couldn’t catch the cherry blossoms in full bloom? We’ve got a unique idea for you!

-- Fallen cherry blossoms make gorgeous “sakura carpet” at Hirosaki Park 【Photos】

© SoraNews24

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

6 Comments
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I love the cherry blossoms. We have a lot of cherry blossoms in the US.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Sakura season is always the best time to be in japan love that season after winter come spring. ❤

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Every time cherry blossom bloom, I realize spring finally comes. It is just beautiful scenery that all cherry bloosom trees on the road are in full bloom.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Hm, if 3/25 is the opening date for Kyoto, and it takes 5-7 days to reach full bloom, I don't know if many places will last until 4/6-7. The weekend of 3/30-31 might be a bit spotty (have to choose places that bloom early) but 4/6-7 will probably be "chirihajime" at best at the later-blooming areas, and the early places will have quite finished and started leafing out.

A fun way to predict blooming time is starting from February 1st, add up the highest temp reached each day. The day the number gets to 600 is supposed to be the day they open. I tried it last year and it was only off by a day!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I am going to Tokyo on the March 22 so I am keeping my fingers crossed!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Look forward to spring.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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