Tokyo: Cherry Blossoms Start
Cherry blossom season officially kicked off in Tokyo on March 19 — the sample tree at Yasukuni Shrine hit the five-flower threshold today, signalling full-scale hanami is underway. Parks like Ukima and Roka Koshun-en are being flagged as top viewing spots through early April. (gotokyo.org) (japantimes.co.jp)
Official forecasts now cluster Tokyo’s full‑bloom (mankai) window between March 25 and March 27, with sakura.weathermap listing March 25 and the Japan Meteorological Corporation’s advisory (reported by Travel + Leisure) pointing to March 26. (sakura.weathermap.jp) (travelandleisureasia.com) Forecasters base those dates on visual checks of designated sample somei‑yoshino trees across roughly 1,000 monitoring sites and update regional predictions as buds develop. (nippon.com) (tsunagujapan.com) Site‑level forecasts show variation: an interactive Tokyo spot list projects Ukima Park’s full bloom around March 29, while garden guides put Roka Kōshun’en’s peak in the typical late‑March to early‑April window. (isfujivisible.com) (tokyo-park.net) Yasukuni Shrine is staging a three‑night Night Sakura Pilgrimage in late March with the Shinmon gate scheduled to open for viewing from about 18:00–20:00 during the event. (japantravel.com) City programming includes illuminations and festivals: Nakameguro’s lantern light‑ups are scheduled for 15 days after blossoming, running roughly 17:00–20:00, and the Ueno Cherry Blossom Festival is listed from March 14 to April 5, 2026. (gotokyo.org) (tokyocheapo.com) Forecasters say warmer‑than‑average temperatures in February and expected warmth through March pushed predictions earlier than normal, and agencies warn dates may be revised with new bud observations and short‑term weather changes. (nippon.com) (sakura.weathermap.jp)
