Cherry blossom forecast 2017

Around mid-January, the Japanese Meteorological Corporation releases the first national cherry blossom forecast, known as the Sakura Zensen, which indicates the date of the first bloom in every prefecture.

The most popular sakura variety, Somei Yoshino (photographed here), is first blossoming in Okinawa around the middle of January, while in Hokkaido it will start at the beginning of May. This year, the cherry blossom season will be between March 25 and 30 in Kyushu, Shikoku, Chugoku, Kansai, Tokai and Kanto, and between April 10 and 30 in the Eastern area (Hokuriku and Tohoku).

Travel tip: For details on this year's cherry blossom forecast, visit the Release of 2017 Cherry Blossom Forecast page on the Japan Meteorological Corporation site.