Hi – just saw your blog on the 2008 Cherry Blossom forecast. The map says March 25th for Tokyo. Do you have an idea if this is the peak date or the blossom date, when they first start? I was told that once they start, its 7 days until peak, and another 7 days until they are gone. I tried to plan a trip there this year and wanted to be there when it peaks. If the 25th is the first day, then they will peak around April 1 …. But maybe the 25th is the peak date? What do you think, based on the way they word it on the page?

I just thought it might be useful to answer the question here. Basically the dates that are given for the forecast are the estimated blooming date, in other words the day they are expected to start opening. And yes, once they start it is about 7 days until they are in full bloom or “100%” but this can be different for every tree. As far as how long they are in bloom, this depends a lot on the weather. If there is a hard rain or strong winds, this could drastically reduce the amount of days that the sakura (cherry blossoms) are in full bloom. The 2008 cherry blossom forecast could change (as it usually does slightly) so my best advice would be plan to arrive a couple days after the start date, stay for a few days and hope you get lucky!

If you can choose anytime of the year to come to Japan, cherry blossom season is the best time (also fall is a great time). During this time, the seasonal flowers can be seen all over Japan and make for great photos. The 2007 cherry blossom forecast will be released around late February or early March and can be seen at the site of the Japan Meteorology Agency.

When the winters are mild (like the winter of 2007 is) the cherry blossom trees tend to bloom a little earlier than normal. While the forecasts are usually pretty close, like the weather, when cherry blossoms bloom are still slightly unpredictable! Also, different factors such as how much sun a tree gets, play a large role as well.

Friends, co-workers and family participate in Hanami (literally meaning “flower watching”). Hanami consists of reserving a space (sometimes as early as the day before in crowded places like Tokyo) with a tarp or blanket, where there are many cherry blossom trees and then having a picnic under the blossoming flowers. Usually large consumptions of alcohol is consumed. Here is an example of hanami.

Cherry blossom or in Japanese, sakura, is Japan’s most famous flower. Sakura bloom once a year starting as early as February in some places in Okinawa and slowly move north. The Kansai (Kyoto, Osaka, Himeji) and Kanto (Tokyo) regions tend to start blooming around late March or early April. Tohoku and Hokkaido in late April to May. About a week after a cherry blossom tree first starts to bloom, the tree will be in full bloom for only a couple of days before they start lose their blossoms.