Sakura: First Blooms Reported
Sakura season officially began — first blooms confirmed in Kofu, Gifu and Kochi, with Kofu’s bloom the earliest on record since 1953 (nine days ahead of last year) 1st cherry blossom of 2026 confirmed in Kofu, Gifu, Kochi. Tokyo is projected to hit peak soon; Shinjuku Gyoen is recommended for its 1,300+ cherry trees across 65 varieties Hanami: Best Spots to View Cherry Blossoms in Tokyo 2026.
The official “first bloom” is declared when a region’s designated sample tree shows five to six open buds, a definition used by meteorological observatories across Japan ([nippon.com)]. Japan’s 2026 sakura season opened with first flowers observed on March 16 in Kōchi, a date recorded in regional reports and illustrated by a Kyodo photo at Kōchi Castle on March 16, 2026 ([nippon.com)]. Japan Meteorological Corporation’s eighth forecast, released March 12, put Tokyo’s flowering (kaika) on March 19 and predicted full bloom (mankai) for Tokyo on March 27 in its table of roughly 1,000 observation points ([n-kishou.com)]. The Japan Weather Association’s March forecasts anticipated Uwajima to reach full bloom on March 25 and listed Tokyo’s sample-tree full bloom as March 28, showing a one-day difference with other forecasters’ Tokyo estimates ([weather-jwa.jp)]. Shinjuku Gyoen’s official notices for 2026 include an advance reservation system announced March 2, a special early-morning opening for April, and running/photography restrictions during March 20–April 2 to manage crowds and turf protection ([env.go.jp)]. Shinjuku Gyoen’s planting includes more than 400 Somei Yoshino trees that typically bloom from late March into early April around the English garden, extending the park’s viewing window beyond peak dates ([japan-guide.com)].
