Find out when the sakura are set to blossom and peak around Japan this year.

Every year, as the plum blossoms begin to bloom in winter, people start wondering when the nation’s other iconic flower will start appearing, this time on the branches of sakura trees around the country. Cherry blossom forecasts are here to help, and the Japan Meteorological Corporation just released its very first prediction of the year for the blossoming of the Somei-Yoshino cherry trees, the most widespread type of cherry blossom in the country.

According to the corporation, the first blossoms will begin to open in Tokyo on 22 March. Other noted metropolitan areas in the table on the right of the diagram below include Fukuoka and Nagoya on 23 March, followed by Osaka on 28 March and Sendai on 10 April.

This table gives more detail regarding the forecast, with the columns (from left to right) providing information regarding: the city; the predicted blossoming date; the predicted date of full bloom; last year’s blossoming date; and the yearly average blossoming date. The cities in the first column (from top to bottom) are Sapporo, Sendai, Tokyo, Kanazawa, Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, Kochi, Fukuoka, and Kagoshima.

According to the report, the first blossoms in Tokyo will appear four days earlier than the average year, and one day later than last year. If you’re planning a trip to the capital to view the blossoms, the peak period, according to this initial forecast, will be 30 March, with full bloom expected on this date. If you miss the cherry blossom period in Tokyo, however, there’s still a chance to catch the blossoms in other areas at a later time. With hotels likely to book up quickly, now is the time to make those holiday travel plans!

Source: Japan Meteorological Corporation

Featured image: Pakutaso

Insert images: Japan Meteorological Corporation