The latest cherry blossom forecast for 2014 has been issued by the Japan Weather Association. The forecast is the long-awaited first sign of spring and means that cherry blossoms - "sakura" in Japanese - will start to bloom all over Japan in the coming weeks.
Kochi Prefecture is predicted to be the first place where you will be able to see the famous florescent cherry blossoms in Japan starting from March 18. After that, cherry blossoms will start blooming in the Kyushu region in Kumamoto and Nagasaki Prefectures around March 21.
The timing of this year's cherry blossoms is about same as usual except that they might start blooming 3 or 4 days earlier in the Kyushu and Shikoku regions and 3 or 4 days later in the Kanto, Koshin and Hokkaido regions.
If you are planning to visit Tokyo or Osaka at the beginning of April, you should feel lucky. You will witness one of the most beautiful seasons in Japan, and most importantly, you will be allowed to enjoy observing cherry blossoms while getting hammered on beer and sake outside without any hassle by police officers.
Source: AkihabaraNews via Japan Weather Association
© Japan Today
18 Comments
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titaniumdioxide
No, they forgot Okinawa. Sakura blooms in Okinawa as early as february.
Sharon Brian
My son is traveling to Gotemba on April 2. When should he start seeing the cherry blossom? He is looking forward to it.
CrazyJoe
To the Japanese the cherry blossom is the flower of flowers, and is often called only hana, or flower, since as far as the Japanese are concerned,sakura (cherry blossom) is the flower. During this season we have what is known as o-hanami, or flower viewing. The cherry blossoms are in their full glory from mid-March through April, depending upon the locale.
paulinusa
"You will witness one of the most beautiful seasons in Japan, and most importantly, you will be allowed to enjoy observing cherry blossoms while getting hammered on beer and sake outside without any hassle by police officers."
What a lovely way to conclude this cherry blossom forecast article.
the_sheriff
The beauty of impermanence...
paulinusa
And by the way, when exactly do you get hassled by the police when you're hammered on beer and sake?
rickyvee
no, you can do this 365 days a year in japan. one of the best reasons for living in japan! the writer must not be living in japan.
TSRnow
This is good news. Last year the cherry blossoms were too early for the enrollment ceremony season. This year, if the weather holds up, it should be perfect.
papigiulio
Can. Not. Wait. Sakura, beer, food, smiling faces. Good times!
TokyoGas
I spoke to my friend in Okinawa and she went to Cherry Blossom viewing last month.
Saiaku
I am moving to Japan this month. What places are recommended to visit for sakura viewing?
paulinusa
"I am moving to Tokyo this month. What places are recommended for viewing?"
Generally speaking, cherry trees are usually found in parks(cemeteries also), at historic sites, and along boulevards and river banks, all which is just about everywhere in Japan.
philly1
@The Sheriff
...and the impermanence of beauty.
tinawatanabe
I recommend Chidorigafuchi for a new comer because of its easy access and beattiful sakura over the moat there.
Fukuppy
Like love...and life itself.
titaniumdioxide
The best scenery is when the petals fall. It's very heart-warming. It's like taking a shower bath but with the sakura flower. Ginko trees and sakuras are my favorites. Marked the date for Kyoto. It's also an awsome experience to see them bloom in the most traditional part of Japan, Kyoto.
In_japan
Japan sakura forecast for 2014 "first sign of spring".... Sometimes I feel Okinawa is so left out. Okinawa != Japan? You can see 6.3 Earthquake news is bigger on TV than 6.7. situation is similar during typhoon reporting too. I wonder why?
Tom_Mix
There are so many wonderful trees out there. The sakura is very nice, but it is is truly over-rated. Plum and dogwood are also very nice. Even some pines are quite beautiful and that is all year. And the momiji in fall. I wish there were momiji parties to match the hanami parties, because now that I have a cedar pollen allergy in this country artificially littered with the those damn spewing trees, hanami is an itchy eye sneeze fest for me.