According to the official guidelines issued by the Japan Meteorological Agency, the bloom is considered to have started when five or six blossoms open. During today’s observation, NHK reported that six blossoms were confirmed, marking the season’s official start.

This year’s bloom comes right on schedule, matching the average year, and is five days earlier than in 2024.

Do keep in mind that rain is in the forecast for Tokyo from this Friday through next week, which could impact blossom hunting plans. If you're hoping to catch the sakura at their peak, be sure to keep an eye on the weather and plan accordingly.

Tokyo isn’t the only place welcoming cherry blossoms this week. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, several cities in Kyushu and Shikoku have also announced their blooms recently:
・Kumamoto saw its first blossoms a day earlier than usual, on March 23
・Kochi, on the southern coast of Shikoku, also reported blooming on March 23
・Nagasaki and Kagoshima both reported blooming on March 24

Looking ahead, popular hanami spots like Osaka and Kyoto typically see their cherry blossoms bloom around March 27 and March 26, respectively—so travelers can expect the Kansai region to burst into color very soon.

Tokyo’s cherry blossoms are expected to reach full bloom in about one week to ten days—so get your cameras ready! And chase the bloom together with us: we'll be providing regular updates on the bloom conditions.