As spring slowly unfolds across Japan, the nation eagerly anticipates the arrival of one of its most cherished natural wonders: sakura, or cherry blossoms.
Spring is associated with new beginnings in Japan. In April, students begin new semesters, and graduates embark on new adventures. During this season of both excitement and uncertainty, the sight of sakura blossoms offers a delightful moment to step back and appreciate life.
On March 14, the Japan Meteorological Corporation (JMC) released its sakura forecast for 2024. It provides estimates of when the blossoms will start to open and reach their full bloom. The JMC's forecast is based on observations of Somei Yoshino trees, the most common variety with soft pink petals.
Estimates suggest that sakura season will generally start around the average time or earlier in most regions:
- Kochi: March 19
- Fukuoka and Nagoya: March 22
- Tokyo: March 24
- Kyoto: March 25
- Kagoshima: March 30
- Sendai: April 4
- Sapporo: April 30
What Makes Sakura Bloom
Temperature plays an important role in a sakura's life cycle. Sakura buds are formed during the summer and go dormant from late autumn to early winter.
After being exposed to cold temperatures for a certain period, sakura awaken from dormancy, and the flowers grow in the warmth and sunlight of spring. In other words, sakura need both the cold of winter and the warmth of spring to bloom beautifully.
In 2024, it seems that the effects of a delayed "dormancy breaking" due to the relatively warmer winter months were offset by a warm spring, resulting in an average or slightly earlier sakura season across Japan.
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Author: Miruka Adachi
