Mark your calendars! Japan’s 2025 cherry blossom forecast is here

a full close-up photo of cherry blossoms.

(Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi)

The chilly months continue and though it may be hard to believe, spring is right around the corner.

To cheer us up a little and give us something warm to look forward to, Japan’s Weathernews meteorological agency has released the cherry blossom bloom predictions for 2025.

Every year, Japan’s first cherry blossoms appear in Okinawa in late January then spread northbound up the mainland. According to the report, Tokyo will have the earliest blooms on the mainland on March 21, followed by Hiroshima (near MCAS Iwakuni) on Mar. 23 and Nagasaki (near Sasebo Naval Base) on Mar. 24. The Misawa area is expected to see sakura blossoms later around April 18. Kushiro City in Hokkaido will get cherry blossoms last around May 9, the agency predicted.

This year’s blossoms are expected to arrive at the normal time in most parts of Japan but slightly earlier in the north and Hokkaido, according to the agency. It’s the perfect time to make plans to get out and enjoy the stunning landscapes at the best cherry blossom viewing spots and partake in hanami celebrations!