Japan’s Cherry Blossoms 2018 Forecast: When & Where to Catch Them?
Ready to swoon over these delicate pink blooms? Here are the top places and best dates to witness Japan’s iconic sakura in spring 2018!
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Springtime in Japan is synonymous with the arrival of blooms blanketing the nation with various shades of white and pink. These famous cherry blossoms draw epic-sized crowds from around the globe, all eager to be a part of this quintessential hanami (flower appreciation) experience.
It can be pretty tricky to time your trip to coincide with the sakura blooming season as they are subjected to natural factors such as weather and unprecedented rainfall. Even though they generally follow an upward shift from the south to the north of the archipelago, cherry blossoms in different parts of the city peak at different times.
To minimise frustrations and optimise trip planning, follow this handy forecast of Japan’s cherry blossoms in 2018 based on the different prefectures!
Okinawa: mid January
Best cherry blossom-viewing spots: Nago Castle Park, Nakijin Castle, Yogi Park
Tokyo: 29 March to 4 April
Best cherry blossom-viewing spots: Ueno Onshi Park, Shinjuku Gyoen, Sumida Park, Koganei Park, Inokashira Park, Yoyogi Park
Fukuoka: 31 March to 7 April
Best cherry blossom-viewing spots: San Hou Park, Fukuoka Castle, Atago Shrine, Uminonakamichi Seaside Park, Nishi Park
Hiroshima: 4 April to 10 April
Best cherry blossom-viewing spots: Hiroshima Peace Park, Hiroshima Castle, Shukkeien Garden
Kyoto: 5 April to 11 April
Best cherry blossom-viewing spots: Maruyama Park, Philosopher’s Path, Kyoto Gosho, Shirakawa, Arashiyama, Daigoji Temple
Osaka: 5 April to 11 April
Best cherry blossom-viewing spots: Kema Sakuranomiya Park, Osaka Mint Bureau, Osaka Castle Park
Nara: 6 April to 12 April
Best cherry blossom-viewing spots: Nara Park, Mount Yoshino, Koriyama Castle Park
Kobe: 7 April to 13 April
Best cherry blossom-viewing spots: Gokoku Shrine, Egeyama Park
Fukushima: 8 April to 14 April
Best cherry blossom-viewing spots: Miharu Shidarezakura, Kasumiga Castle Park, Hanamiyama Park
Aomori: late April
Best cherry blossom-viewing spots: Ashino National Park, Hirosaki Park
Hokkaido: 29 April to 4 May
Best cherry blossom-viewing spots: Hakodate’s Goryokaku, Matsumae Castle, Odori Park, Moerenuma Park
Plan and book in advance!
Remember to plan your trip according to these optimal viewing periods to boost your chances of ogling at the dreamy full blooms. Most travellers would book their hotels around two months in advance – but trust us: the earlier, the better! According to HotelsCombined, in Tokyo itself, hotel rates in popular wards (such as Shinjuku, Minato and Taito) would cost an average of US$178/night, so you’ll want to be the early bird to score better deals.
Disclaimer: these dates are rough estimates. With the ever-changing weather patterns, it is difficult to pinpoint the exact full bloom dates. This forecast nonetheless serves as a very close guide and we’ll be updating it when further information is released.
Also read: Korea's Cherry Blossoms 2018 Forecast: When & Where to Catch Them?