When: Late April In Hokkaido / Late March Down South
The forecast of Japan’s cherry blossom season is published by Japan Meteorological Corporation (JMC) and the private weather service Weathermap. The cherry blossoms (sakura) start blooming around the same time almost every year. Sometimes the dates are just a few days earlier or later than the times written below.
2024-2025 Blossom Timing
In Sapporo, the first blossoms will be out around April 18th. The cherry blossoms will be at their best between April 24th and April 29th. Usually about 4 to 11 days after they start blooming. They bloom a little later in Niseko as there is still snow there.
［14th forecast announced on April 25th, 2024］
| Prefecture | Location | Forecasted flowering date | Flowering deviation (days) | Forecasted full bloom date | Full bloom deviation (days) | Flowering date in average year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hokkaido | Sapporo | 4/18 | -13 | 4/24 | -12 | 5/1 |
| Aomori | Aomori | 4/15 | -7 | 4/18 | -8 | 4/22 |
| Miyagi | Sendai | 4/2 | -6 | 4/9 | -4 | 4/8 |
| Tokyo | Tokyo | 3/29 | 5 | 4/4 | 4 | 3/24 |
| Ishikawa | Kanazawa | 4/1 | -2 | 4/8 | 0 | 4/3 |
| Nagano | Nagano | 3/28 | 4 | 4/7 | 5 | 4/11 |
| Aichi | Nagoya | 3/28 | 4 | 4/7 | -4 | 3/24 |
| Kyoto | Kyoto | 3/29 | 3 | 4/5 | 1 | 3/26 |
| Osaka | Osaka | 3/30 | 3 | 4/6 | 2 | 3/27 |
| Wakayama | Wakayama | 3/30 | 6 | 4/3 | 0 | 3/24 |
| Hiroshima | Hiroshima | 3/25 | 0 | 4/5 | 2 | 3/25 |
| Kochi | Kochi | 3/23 | 1 | 3/31 | 1 | 3/22 |
| Fukuoka | Fukuoka | 3/27 | 5 | 4/2 | 2 | 3/22 |
| Kagoshima | Kagoshima | 3/29 | 3 | 4/12 | 7 | 3/26 |
Source: https://n-kishou.com/corp/news-contents/sakura/?lang=en
The Best Places With Cherry Blossom Around Sapporo
Maruyama Park & Hokkaido Shrine
Early to Mid May
3, Miyagaoka, Central Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 064-0959
A 5-minute walk from the Maruyama Koen Station on the Tozai Subway Line
Maruyama Park is very popular and people are allowed to have BBQs here in summer in the designated areas. It’s a popular destination for viewing cherry blossoms each spring. The park is also a popular spot for picnics, walks, and other outdoor activities, and it features several walking paths, a large pond, and a number of other features that make it a great place to relax and enjoy nature.
Nakajima Park
Early to Mid May
Phone: 011-511-3924
Address: 1 Nakajimakoen, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 064-0931
Connected to the Nakajima Koen Station on the Nanboku Subway Line
Area: 0.236 km²
Open 24 hours
Nakajima Park is a city park in Central Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan. The park has a lake, two streams, a museum, a concert hall (Kitara), an observatory, a historical building with a tea shop, and several lawns and forests. At the south end, there are two shrines. Wikipedia
Went during cherry blossom time in the Golden Week. The traditional style park was a wonderful place for hanami or cherry blossom viewing. There were lots of people — in big groups, romantic couples, three generational family groups — with food, beer, sake enjoying the beauty of the different varieties of cherry trees in full bloom. The park itself is beautifully designed with a large pond you can row rental boats on.
There are also a cultural complexes around the park. However, you should bring your own food and drinks as there aren’t a lot of facilities around. There are toilets but really old ones here.
Odori Park
Early to Mid May
Phone: 011-251-0438
Address: Odori Park, West 1 to West 12, Central Ward, Sapporo
Admission: Free
Odori Park is just above Odori Subway Station, the central connecting point for all subway lines (the Nanboku, Tozai and Toho Subway Lines). A 10-minute walk from the south exit of Sapporo JR Station.
Area: 0.0789 km²
Open 24 hours
Odori Park is a park located in the heart of Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan. Odori means “large street” in Japanese. It stretches east to west through Nishi 1 chome, Odori to Nishi 12 chome, Odori, and divides the city into north and south sections. Odori Park is about 1.5 km long and is 78,901 m². Wikipedia
The TV Tower (Odori Park Observatory)
10am to 10pm
Admission: 800 Yen
Special: Free cake/snacks on the day before your birthday, on your birthday and the day after. Also free admission on your birthday if you show an approved ID card.
Moerunuma Park
Mid May
Phone: 011-790-1231
Address: 1-1, Moerenuma-koen, East Ward, Sapporo
Admission: Free
URL: http://moerenumapark.jp/english/
East Entrance: 7am to 10pm (entry until 9pm); the west and south gates have shorter hours (7am to 7pm) and the parking area is closed for winter (mid November to about mid April)
25 minutes by bus from the Toho Subway Line’s Kanjodori-higashi Station
This park has about 1,700 cherry trees that usually bloom around Golden Week. Visitors can enjoy cherry blossom viewing picnics here but BBQs aren’t allowed. The parking lot can be full on holidays when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. So it is sometimes better to use public transportation. The cherry trees here bloom a bit later than other trees around Sapporo.
Akarenga Building & The Surrounding Garden
Mid May
Address: Central Ward, Sapporo
Admission: Free
Akarenga Government Building has ponds and flower beds. The azalea beds including the Yama-tsutsuji with many red flowers, the Ezo-murasaki azalea with pinkish-purple flowers that bloom before the leaves, and doudan azaleas with white flowers that look like pretty lily-of-the-valley flowers.
It is said that the Red Brick Building has about 2.5 million bricks. The retro atmosphere of the Akarenga government office building is nice. The Akarenga government office building looks nice when you take pictures of it near the cherry trees.
Hiraoka Arboriculture Center
Phone: 011-883-2891
3 Chome-1-1, Hiraoka 4 Jo, Kiyota Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 004-0874
The cherry blossoms and autumn leaves here look wonderful. It’s a great place for a walk.
The Best Places With Cherry Blossom Around Hokkaido
Monument of Friendship between Japan and England for Cherry Tree Appreciation
353-1, Matsushiro, Matsumae-cho, Matsumae-gun, Hokkaido
Matsumae-cho is a town located in Matsumae-gun, which is a district in Hokkaido. The area is known for its natural beauty, including the Matsumae Park, which features over 1,000 cherry trees and is one of the most popular cherry blossom viewing spots in Hokkaido. The stone book was erected in May 2016 as a testament to the exchange between Japan and the UK through cherry blossoms.
Hakodate Hachimangu Shrine
Phone: 0138-22-3636
Open: Winter 9am to 4:30pm / Summer 9am to 5pm
2-5, Hakodate Hachimangu Shrine, Yachigashiracho, Hakodate, Hokkaido 040-0046
函館八幡宮 = Hakodate Hachimangu Shrine
This shrine stands in a quiet, bracing environment surrounded by the Mt. Hakodate forest. It first opened in 1445 (checked with the shrine).
The Hakodate Hachimangu Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Hakodate, Japan. It’s one of the oldest shrines in the city, and has a rich history that dates back over almost 600 years.
The shrine is dedicated to Hachiman, the Shinto god of war and patron of the samurai. It’s said that the shrine was built to protect the city of Hakodate from the attacks of Ainu, the indigenous people of Japan, and to bring good luck and prosperity to the local residents.
In addition to its religious significance, the Hakodate Hachimangu Shrine is also famous for its beautiful cherry blossom trees, which bloom each spring and attract many visitors to the shrine to see the flowers in full bloom.
The shrine is also a popular spot for traditional Japanese festivals and events, including the Hakodate Kamakura Festival, where traditional snow huts (kamakura) are built and illuminated in the shrine grounds.
Miharashi Park, Kosetsuen Garden
Phone: 0138-57-7210
56, Miharashicho, Hakodate, Hokkaido 042-0956
8:45am to 5:30pm
Miharashi Park is a public park located in the city of Hakodate, the main city in Hokkaido. It’s a popular destination for local residents and tourists, who come to enjoy the park’s natural beauty, including its cherry blossom trees and views of the surrounding mountains. A scenic garden for unwinding and to appreciate flowers.
Aunji Temple
Phone: 0139-42-2249
371, Matsushiro, Matsumae-chō, Matsumae-gun, Hokkaido
Aunji Temple is a Buddhist temple located in Hokkaido, Japan. It’s not a well-known temple, but it moved here around 1617 to protect the demon gate of Matsumae Castle. The area to north east of one’s position is believed to be unlucky.
The Twins’ Cherry Blossoms
Kamisato, Tsubetsu-cho, Abashiri-gun, Hokkaido
Please come see them when they are in full blossom. The best time to see them is around the middle of May.
Matusmae Park
Matsushiro, Matsumae, Matsumae District, Hokkaido 049-1511
Hokkaido’s most famous area for Sakura (cherry blossoms) chosen as one of the 100 famous sakura locations in Japan.
Matsumae Castle
144, Matsushiro, Matsumae, Matsumae District, Hokkaido 049-1511
Matsumae castle with triple castle tower is expansion and renovation of the former Fukuyama pavilion.
Kozenji Temple, Hakodate
Phone: 0138-58-4005
39, Kameocho, Hakodate, Hokkaido 042-0917
One of the three cherry blossoms in Matsumae-cho.
Furano Asahigaoka Park
Kiyozumicho, Mori, Kayabe District, Hokkaido 049-2327
One of the One-Hundred Views of Japan. A place famous for its cherry blossoms.
Aobagaoka Park
Kiyozumicho, Mori, Kayabe District, Hokkaido 049-2327
It is a famous historic cherry blossom park with about 1,000 cherry blossom trees. It is said that the trees are about 300-year old.
Ukimido Park
Phone: 0142-82-5111
194, Lake Toya Town, Abuta District, Hokkaido 049-5721
洞爺町 = Toyakomachi = Lake Toya Town (Abuta-gun)
Ukimido is located in Ukimido Park on the northwest side of Lake Toya, at the end of the cape.
Oniushi Park
326, Uwadaicho, Mori, Kayabe District, Hokkaido 049-2311
Oniushi in Ainu language means “place with plenty of trees”. It is a famous place to see cherry blossoms.
Usu Zenkoji Temple
Phone: 0142-38-2007
124, Usucho, Date, Hokkaido 059-0151
Hokkaido’s oldest “venerable temple”. It is over 1,100 years old (826 AD).
Cherry Blossoms Corridor
10-32, 2 Chome, Honcho, Hokuto, Hokkaido 041-1201
Sakura Sightseeing in Hokuto city.
Hekirichi Jinya
Phone: 0138-74-2000
Nozaki, Hokuto-shi, Hokkaido
Hekirichi Jinya was the first Western-style star-shaped fortress in Japan, built in 1855 by the Matsumae Clan under the order of the Edo Shogunate for the defense of Ezochi following the opening of the port of Hakodate in the late Edo Period. It was designed and built by Fujiwara Shirouma, a retainer of the Matsumae Clan [source needed]. In the Hakodate War of 1868, the garrison itself set itself on fire on October 23 and withdrew from the area, as the former shogunate forces that had landed in Ezochi marched in. On October 23, the garrison itself set itself on fire and retreated. It was called Anahira Jinya, Matsumae Jinya, Kiyokawa Jinya, etc. [source needed], but after it was designated as a national “historic site” in 1965, it was named “Matsumae Domain Togirichi Jinya Site”.
The 800-meter-long cherry blossom tunnel leading from Hokkaido Road No. 96 Kamiiso Togeshita Line to the camp ruins was planted by Minejiro Iwafune, a kimono merchant in Hakodate, on the road from the Omote-gomon ruins to the camp entrance in prayer for victory in the Russo-Japanese War. There are mainly Someiyoshino cherry trees, but also Ezo-Yamazakura (Oyama-zakura), Yae-zakura, the rare Jugatsu-zakura, and Gyoikou cherry trees.
The Nijukken Road Cherry Blossoms
Shizunaitahara, Shinhidaka, Hidaka District, Hokkaido 056-0144
Approximately 3,000 cherry blossoms blooming along the 7 kilometer straight twenty-way road.
Goryokaku Park
44, Goryokaku-cho, Hakodate, Hokkaido, Japan
Goryokaku Park has a famous star-shaped fort/Japanese castle and part of the former Hakodate Magistrate’s Office in its center.
Otaru Suitengu Shrine
3-1, Aioicho, Otaru, Hokkaido 047-0028
A famous place for cherry blossoms at a hill location overlooking Otaru Port.
Hakodate Sakuragaoka Street
1, Hakodate, Hokkaido 042-0942
About 100 Cherry blossom were planted along the 800m long street forming a tunnel of cherry blossoms in early May.
Ishizaki Jinushi Kai Shrine
248, Shiroishicho, Hakodate, Hokkaido 041-0265
Hakodate’s hidden cherry trees. There’s a tunnel of double-flowered cherry trees.
Weeping cherry blossoms in Houki Temple
1 Chome 14-13, Nakanocho, Hokuto, Hokkaido
The largest weeping cherry blossom in Hokkaido over 300 years old.
Older Predictions
2022 Forecast of flowering and full bloom dates for each area
［14th forecast announced on April 28, 2022］
| Prefecture | Location | Forecasted flowering date | Flowering deviation (days) | Forecasted full bloom date | Full bloom deviation (days) | Flowering date in average year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hokkaido | Sapporo | 4/23 | -8 | 4/25 | -11 | 5/01 |
| Aomori | Aomori | 4/16 | -6 | 4/20 | -6 | 4/22 |
| Miyagi | Sendai | 4/8 | 0 | 4/11 | -2 | 4/08 |
| Tokyo | Tokyo | 3/20 | -4 | 3/27 | -4 | 3/24 |
| Ishikawa | Kanazawa | 3/30 | -4 | 4/05 | -3 | 4/03 |
| Nagano | Nagano | 4/09 | -2 | 4/11 | -5 | 4/11 |
| Aichi | Nagoya | 3/22 | -2 | 3/30 | -3 | 3/24 |
| Kyoto | Kyoto | 3/24 | -2 | 3/30 | -5 | 3/26 |
| Osaka | Osaka | 3/23 | -4 | 3/30 | -5 | 3/27 |
| Wakayama | Wakayama | 3/24 | 0 | 3/29 | -5 | 3/24 |
| Hiroshima | Hiroshima | 3/21 | -4 | 3/29 | -5 | 3/25 |
| Kochi | Kochi | 3/19 | -3 | 3/27 | -3 | 3/22 |
| Fukuoka | Fukuoka | 3/17 | -5 | 3/27 | -4 | 3/22 |
| Kagoshima | Kagoshima | 3/20 | -6 | 4/01 | -4 | 3/26 |
2021 Forecast of flowering and full bloom dates for each area
［13th forecast announced on April 22, 2021］
| Prefecture | Location | Forecasted flowering date | Flowering deviation (days) | Forecasted full bloom date | Full bloom deviation (days) | Flowering date in average year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hokkaido | Sapporo | 4/22 | -11 | 4/27 | -10 | 5/3 |
| Aomori | Aomori | 4/13 | -11 | 4/17 | -12 | 4/24 |
| Miyagi | Sendai | 3/28 | -14 | 3/31 | -16 | 4/11 |
| Tokyo | Tokyo | 3/14 | -12 | 3/22 | -12 | 3/26 |
| Ishikawa | Kanazawa | 3/23 | -12 | 3/29 | -12 | 4/4 |
| Nagano | Nagano | 3/29 | -15 | 4/1 | -16 | 4/13 |
| Aichi | Nagoya | 3/17 | -9 | 3/28 | -6 | 3/26 |
| Kyoto | Kyoto | 3/16 | -12 | 3/26 | -10 | 3/28 |
| Osaka | Osaka | 3/19 | -9 | 3/28 | -8 | 3/28 |
| Wakayama | Wakayama | 3/18 | -8 | 3/27 | -8 | 3/26 |
| Hiroshima | Hiroshima | 3/11 | -16 | 3/25 | -10 | 3/27 |
| Kochi | Kochi | 3/15 | -7 | 3/23 | -7 | 3/22 |
| Fukuoka | Fukuoka | 3/12 | -11 | 3/22 | -10 | 3/23 |
| Kagoshima | Kagoshima | 3/17 | -9 | 3/30 | -5 | 3/26 |
［10th forecast announced on April 2, 2020］
| Prefecture | Location | Forecasted flowering date | Flowering deviation (days) | Forecasted full bloom date | Full bloom deviation (days) | Flowering date in average year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hokkaido | Sapporo | 4/26 | -7 | 4/29 | -8 | 5/3 |
| Aomori | Aomori | 4/17 | -7 | 4/22 | -7 | 4/24 |
| Miyagi | Sendai | 3/28 | -14 | 4/3 | -13 | 4/11 |
| Tokyo | Tokyo | 3/14 | -12 | 3/22 | -12 | 3/26 |
| Ishikawa | Kanazawa | 3/26 | -9 | 4/1 | -9 | 4/4 |
| Nagano | Nagano | 4/2 | -11 | 4/9 | -8 | 4/13 |
| Aichi | Nagoya | 3/22 | -4 | 4/1 | -2 | 3/26 |
| Kyoto | Kyoto | 3/22 | -6 | 3/30 | -6 | 3/28 |
| Osaka | Osaka | 3/23 | -5 | 4/3 | -2 | 3/28 |
| Wakayama | Wakayama | 3/22 | -4 | 3/31 | -4 | 3/26 |
| Hiroshima | Hiroshima | 3/22 | -5 | 4/3 | -1 | 3/27 |
| Kochi | Kochi | 3/24 | 2 | 4/2 | 3 | 3/22 |
| Fukuoka | Fukuoka | 3/21 | -2 | 4/2 | 1 | 3/23 |
| Kagoshima | Kagoshima | 4/1 | 6 | 4/12 | 8 | 3/26 |
| Place | First Bloom | Full Bloom | Current State |
|---|---|---|---|
| Okinawa | Late January | First Week of February through late February | |
| Kagoshima | March 26, 2020 | April 6 to 14, 2020 | |
| Kumamoto | March 20, 2020 | March 30 to April 7, 2020 | |
| Nagasaki | March 22, 2020 | March 31 to April 4, 2020 | |
| Fukuoka | March 17, 2020 | March 28 to April 6, 2020 | |
| Matsuyama | March 18, 2020 | March 29 to April 6, 2020 | |
| Hiroshima | March 17, 2020 | March 26 to April 2, 2020 | |
| Okayama | March 22, 2020 | March 29 to April 6, 2020 | |
| Nagoya | March 17, 2020 | March 27 to April 4, 2020 | |
| Kyoto | March 18, 2020 | March 26 to April 3, 2020 | |
| Osaka | March 20, 2020 | March 28 to April 5, 2020 | |
| Shizuoka | March 21, 2020 | March 31 to April 8, 2020 | |
| Wakayama | March 19, 2020 | March 27 to April 4, 2020 | |
| Yokohama | March 14, 2020 | March 23 to March 30, 2020 | |
| Kanazawa | March 19, 2020 | March 25 to April 2, 2020 | |
| Tokyo | March 15, 2020 | March 23 to March 30, 2020 | |
| Kochi | March 19, 2020 | March 27 to April 4, 2020 | |
| Nara | March 17, 2020 | March 24 to April 1, 2020 | |
| Yoshino | |||
| Matsumoto | |||
| Niigata | March 27, 2020 | April 4 to 12, 2020 | |
| Nagano | March 28, 2020 | April 3 to 11, 2020 | |
| Takayama | |||
| Fuji Five Lake Areas | |||
| Fukushima | March 25, 2020 | March 30 to April 7, 2020 | |
| Sendai | March 26, 2020 | April 1 to 9, 2020 | |
| Aomori (Hirosaki) | April 13, 2020 | April 19 to April 28, 2020 | |
| Akita (Kakunodate) | April 5, 2020 | April 11 to 19, 2020 | |
| Iwate (Kitakami) | |||
| Hakodate | April 21, 2020 | April 25 to May 2, 2020 | |
| Sapporo | April 24, 2020 | April 28 to May 5, 2020 |
* This is not sponsored content.
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