TOKYO – Japan’s celebrated cherry blossom season is forecast to begin earlier than usual this year in east and west Japan, according to the 1st Cherry Blossom Forecast released by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA).
In its forecast for the Somei Yoshino variety of cherry tree (the most popular variety in Japan), the JMA has cited significantly higher than average temperatures during February, and the strong possibility of higher than average temperatures in March as factors contributing to earlier than average blooms in many areas across the eastern and western regions of Japan.
In particular, the cherry blossoms are forecast to bloom significantly earlier in the Kyushu region, with the first sakura (cherry blossom) expected to make an appearance nine days earlier than average in the cities of Fukuoka and Kumamoto.
The estimated blooming dates for major cities are: Tokyo March 25; Kyoto March 27; Osaka March 28; Hiroshima March 23; and Fukuoka March 17.
Full bloom (no less than 80 percent of the blossoms are open) and optimum viewing time occurs approximately one week after the estimated blooming date.
The JMA advises that actual blooming dates may vary from the estimated dates by approximately 2-3 days on average.
Rain, wind and temperatures can have a major effect on the cherry blossom viewing season, such as delaying or shortening it considerably.
The JMA will release further forecasts for east and west Japan on March 11 and 18, and initial forecasts for north eastern Honshu (Tohoku region) and Hokkaido on March 18 and April 8, respectively.
