When do cherry blossoms bloom?
Sakura follows a clear south→north progression: it starts earliest in Okinawa (Jan–Feb), hits central cities like Tokyo/Kyoto around late March–early April, and reaches Hokkaido in late April–May. Exact dates shift year-to-year — full bloom in a city typically lasts about one week — so watch forecasts close to your travel dates.
How forecasts and “peak” work
Meteorological services (including the JMA and travel forecasting sites) monitor sample trees and produce bloom forecasts that update weekly as the season approaches; those forecasts are reliable enough to guide bookings but not guaranteed — blossoms are natural and sensitive to temperature shifts. If your trip depends on peak bloom photos, schedule extra buffer days or choose two cities on the typical progression route to increase your odds
Bookings & timing: when to reserve hotels, trains and tours
High-demand accommodation (especially ryokan near famous spots) sells out early for the sakura window — many travelers book 4–11 months in advance for peak weeks in Tokyo/Kyoto. Reserve Shinkansen seats and any private guides or ryokan dinners as soon as your dates firm up; if you need flexibility, book refundable hotel rates and snap up train seats once dates are fixed. Use 7-Eleven/post-office ATMs and international booking platforms for reliable hotel reservations
Night sakura (Yozakura) & illuminations
Many parks light up trees after dusk (yozakura) for atmospheric night viewing — expect lanterns, food stalls and crowds that linger later than daytime visitors. Night viewing can be magical for photographers and couples but is often louder and busier; if you want a quieter yozakura, aim for weekday evenings or less-famous parks. Some temples illuminate for limited periods and close at specific hours — check local event pages before you go.
