2025 Cherry Blossom Forecast (as of March 19th)

2025.02.21

In Japan, sakura (the Japanese word for cherry blossom) bloom in spring, from around March to May.
Japanese people visit famous spots to view the cherry blossoms and enjoy the scenery, which is a Japanese tradition known as ‘hanami*’.

* Hamani, created from the words “flower” and “see.”

Although it varies by region and climate, cherry blossoms generally take 10 days to two weeks from the start of blooming to full bloom and for the petals to begin falling. After reaching full bloom, the flowers typically shed within a week. Therefore, the period to enjoy cherry blossoms in full bloom is short and limited.

Japan Weather Association (JWA) publishes forecasts of blooming and full bloom dates for cherry blossoms across Japan’s various regions to ensure that people do not miss the short cherry blossom season.

JWA released its part 3 forecast for cherry blossoms and full bloom across 84 locations throughout Japan on Wednesday, March 19th, 2025.

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Key points for the 2025 cherry blossom forecast (as of March 19th)

• Based on the sample trees of the Local Meteorological Observatories, this year’s cherry blossoms season will start to bloom from Miyazaki on the 23rd of March, and Tokyo is expected to be the first location to reach full bloom on March 29th.
• In the week from the 24th, cherry blossoms are expected to bloom one after another spanning area from Kyushu to Kanto.
• Full bloom will be roughly around average in western Japan, and average or earlier in eastern and northern Japan.

* The information includes both sample trees from Japan Meteorological Agency’s Local Meteorological Observatories, and from independent observation locations of JWA.

2025 Cherry Blossom Blossoming Trend

For 2025, the cherry blossom is expected to bloom roughly in line with the yearly average or later in western Japan, while eastern and northern Japan will bloom closer to the average or earlier compared to normal years.

The blooming season this year is expected to begin in Uwajima, Ehime Prefecture, on the 21st of March according to JWA’s own sample trees, though according to the Local Meteorological Observatory’s sample trees, Miyazaki will start off the cherry blossom season on the 23rd of March.

By the end of March, the wider area from Kyushu to Kanto, and southern Tohoku will be in bloom, and many places in Nagano and Hokuriku will follow in early April.

In mid-April, the cherry blossoms will have moved to northern Tohoku, and the cherry blossom front is expected to reach Hokkaido in late April.

* The cherry tree’s Blooming date is defined as the first day when five to six or more flowers open on a specimen tree.

The next cherry blossom forecast (4th) is scheduled for March 26, 2025.

In case of any extraordinary developments or updates to the forecast between the 20th and 25th of March, an updated forecast will be published on JWA’s weather forecasting media ‘tenki.jp’, on their cherry blossom forecasting page.
For the most recent updates and information on the 2025 cherry blossom please visit the 【tenki.jp】 The Cherry Blossom and Full Bloom Forecast page (Only available in Japanese).

2025 Cherry Blossom Full Bloom Trend

For the 2025 full bloom, it is expected to start roughly around the yearly average for western Japan, and closer to the average or earlier in eastern and northern Japan.

Tokyo is predicted to be the first location reaching full bloom on March 29th, and the areas from Kyushu to southern Tohoku will reach full bloom between late March to early April.

Northern Tohoku is expected to be in full bloom from mid to late April, and many areas in Hokkaido are expected to enjoy cherry blossoms in full bloom around the Golden Week holidays in the beginning of May.

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On JWA’s weather forecasting media ‘tenki.jp’, the average dates for cherry blossom blooming and full bloom, as well as the criteria for blooming and full bloom, are explained.
Click here to read: 【tenki.jp】Cherry Blossom Season in Japan

About JWA’s Cherry Blossom Forecast

Cherry Blossoms and Viewing Party

Somei-yoshino is a species of cherry tree that is planted throughout Japan and is one of the most commonly seen trees in the country.

Blooming begins in late March at the lower altitudes of Kyushu and Shikoku, and gradually moves to Honshu, Hokkaido and higher altitudes through to April.

When cherry blossoms are in bloom, many people have a party under the trees called ‘hanami’ and enjoy food and looking at the scenery to celebrate the arrival of spring.

How They Bloom

When the flowers bloom largely depends on the temperatures from the fall in the previous year to spring.

Cherry blossom buds are formed in summer and then become dormant. When they are exposed to low temperatures for a certain period of time in winter, the buds awake from dormancy.
This is called ‘dormancy breaking.’
The awakened buds grow and unfold as the temperature rises.

It is considered that the higher the temperature, the faster the growth of the buds and the earlier they bloom.

Data Used for Forecasting

JWA refers to the trends in the temperature since autumn of the previous year, which has a significant influence on the growth of buds, and uses its own formula for forecasting as well as the following data:

1. Observed temperatures from the fall of the previous year to the day before the forecast is made
2. Expected temperatures from the day when the forecast is made to the flowering period (JWA’s pinpoint forecast and long-term forecast)

Business Utilization of Cherry Blossom Forecasts

The cherry blossom season is one of the peak periods of international travelers visiting Japan.

JWA’s accurate cherry blossom blooming and full bloom forecasts contribute to businesses in various industries, such as tourism, accommodation, transportation, media, and event planning.

If you are interested in JWA’s forecasts, please feel free to contact us.