2025 Cherry Blossom Forecast (as of April 9th)

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 6 forecast for cherry blossoms and full bloom across 84 locations throughout Japan on Wednesday, April 9th, 2025.

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Key points for the 2025 cherry blossom forecast (as of April 9th)

• Many areas from Kyushu to Kanto and Hokuriku are expected to enjoy cherry blossoms in full bloom until around mid-April.
• Cherry blossoms in the northern part of Japan are expected to bloom and reach full bloom earlier than usual.
• Full Bloom is expected to occur in Tohoku towards the end of April, and in Hokkaido from late April to mid-May.

2025 Cherry Blossom Blossoming Trend

The cherry blossoms have bloomed in all areas from Kyushu through Kinki, Kanto Koshin and Hokuriku.

While some areas at a higher altitude in the Tokai region are expected to bloom around the yearly average, the cherry blossoms in northern Japan are expected to bloom earlier than normal.

For northern Japan, we have experienced many days with a higher-than-average temperature since March, and this warm trend is expected to continue until late April.

This will result in most parts of northern part of Tohoku receiving an earlier than average blooming around mid-April, and in Hokkaido, the cherry blossom front is expected to progress from mid-April to mid-May.

* 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 (7th) is scheduled for April 16th, 2025.

In case of any extraordinary developments or updates to the forecast between 10rd and 15th of April, 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

The full bloom can already be seen over a wider area from Kyushu to Kanto and Hokuriku.

From Tokai to Hokuriku, with the Full Bloom front expected to pass around the seasonal average or slightly earlier, we will see the remaining areas in Full Bloom soon.

For northern Japan, the Full Bloom is expected to arrive earlier than average.

For many areas from Kyushu to Kanto and Hokuriku, the flowers reached Full Bloom around April 5th due to the cold weather returning at the end of March and into early April.

The best viewing period typically lasts about a week to 10 days after Full Bloom, so in these areas you may enjoy the cherry blossoms until around mid-April.

Looking ahead, the cherry blossoms are expected to be in Full Bloom in Tohoku towards the end of April, and in Hokkaido, many places will be able to enjoy full bloom around the long Golden week holiday period 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.