Tokyo and D.C. bloom windows
Tokyo’s sakura forecast now projects peak bloom in late March to early April — that narrow window is the sweet spot for hanami planning. In the U.S., Washington D.C.’s Tidal Basin cherries are nearing peak bloom and the final stage of bloom typically lasts about a week, so timing is crucial. ( ) ( )
Tokyo forecasts show flowering began March 19 and full bloom (mankai) is predicted for March 27 for the Tokyo area, based on the latest compiled forecast tables. (tokyocheapo.com) A March 19 update from LIVE JAPAN lists Tokyo as having flowered on March 19 and reaching full bloom on March 27, and notes a typical tree stays in bloom about 10–14 days while the peak viewing window usually lasts 5–7 days. (livejapan.com) GO TOKYO’s official hanami guide, updated March 23, records a flowering forecast around March 21 and reiterates that it normally takes about one week to 10 days from flowering to full bloom, citing Japan Weather Association data. (gotokyo.org) The National Park Service projects Washington, D.C.’s Tidal Basin peak bloom between March 29 and April 1, with the blossoms typically remaining on the trees for seven to ten days once peak bloom begins. (nps.gov) Peak bloom for the Tidal Basin is defined operationally as roughly 70% of Yoshino cherry blossoms open, and the NPS tracks the trees through a six-stage bloom progression used in this year’s BloomWatch updates. (wtop.com) NPS communications say the $113 million Tidal Basin and West Potomac Park seawall restoration is finishing ahead of schedule and under budget, but walkways between the Jefferson Memorial and the FDR Memorial in the restoration zone will remain closed during the bloom period with alternate routes marked. (nps.gov) The National Cherry Blossom Festival runs March 20–April 12 with signature events including the Blossom Kite Festival (March 28), Petalpalooza (April 4) and the parade on April 11, and organizers expect the season to draw more than one million visitors to the capital. (washingtonian.com)
