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Cherry blossoms expected to bloom in last week of March

13 Comments
By Sachi Yoneda

Every year at the end of March and the first week of April, Japan officially welcomes spring with cherry blossoms. The cherry blossoms, or "sakura," have become one of Japan’s motifs, as well as a large tourist attraction.

Japanese enjoy "hanami" (flower viewing) parties with families, friends and co-workers in parks, congregating under the cherry blossom trees to eat and drink. It is common for companies to assign a junior employee the task of reserving a spot in the park and remaining there all day until party time.

Knowing when cherry blossoms will be at their peak is so important that the Japan Weather Association prepares a map of the cherry blossom forecasts annually. The “Sakura Weather Map” gives a general idea of when cherry blossoms will be in full bloom in each prefecture, as well as offering a more in depth overview of cherry blossom viewing venues.

This year, the cherry blossoms are expected to begin blooming in Tokyo on March 25, and should be in full bloom by April 3. In Osaka, cherry blossoms should begin to bloom on March 26. Cherry blossoms in Kyushu can be expected to begin blooming on March 21, reaching full bloom by March 31. Hokkaido is the last to see cherry blossoms, starting from around April 30 and reaching full bloom on May 4.

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13 Comments
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Depends where you are. I took pictures last week of cherry trees in full bloom at a koen in Kawasaki Daishi.

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Let's hope the blossoms last a while before they fall.

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Sensei258: I would think thats Plum trees and not Sakura. They look very similar but the plum blooms a bit earlier. The sakura on the other hand have only been in full bloom at Okinawa during this point and Kanagawa at best one day earlier then Tokyo.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Already dusting of the trusty mini grill, freezing the shochu ice cubes and laying in other provisions. And cleaning off the blue ground sheet and picnic blanket.....

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It is common for companies to assign a junior employee the task of reserving a spot in the park and remaining there all day until party time.

Yup, the workie is already armed with groundsheets for just this purpose. Our spots down by the Meguro river and in Arisugawa Park are assured........

2 ( +2 / -0 )

So this year in most part of the country, cherry blossoms in school playgrounds might not stay in full bloom when all the 6 year-olds and their parents attend their entrance ceremonies at their primary schools around April 7. It would be a bit disappointing.

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@Yoshimi

Better get used to it; it's climate change in action. (Only don't say it out loud in front of the right-wing nut cases).

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Hampus, you are wrong. I know the difference. I've lived here for years.

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"Cherry blossoms expected to bloom in last week of March"

Ya don't say! They don't bloom in other weeks too often...

"Let's hope the blossoms last a while before they fall."

They will last exactly two and a half days from the time they bloom until they start dropping. OK, maybe 3 days.

Sensei - the sakura at Kawasaki Daishi were not blooming last week. Maybe in 2 more weeks...

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There's a koen about 5 min from the eki. There are 4 or five younger trees at one end of the koen, near the soccer practice cage. Don't tell me they aren't blooming, I took a picture of them last Wednesday. Give me your email and I'll send the picture. You can check the date info of the pick.

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@ Fadamor - Thank you for your info. I didn't realize there were so many varieties (I have noticed a few different types here in Japan). I've been to DC many times, but always managed to miss the Cherry blossoms. Any chance you could take a picture of each type while in bloom? Or do you have a link?

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Cherry blossom season.........my favourite time of the year in Japan

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They last longer than 2-1/2 days. This is my fourth year in a row to see them and I live here now in Kakegawa. A lot depends on whether rain and wind come during the time they are open and whether it warms up. The blossoms near the castle here have been open about 2 weeks. Full bloom should last at least a week if the rain doesn't cause them to drop. At the initial time they are buds but before color appears on the buds they can take a beating. Enjoy the hanami season wherever you are.

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