Japan's cherry blossom season on par or later than average due to warm fall

Tokyo blooming to begin March 23; tourists flock to see 'sakura'

Visitors admire the blossoms on a Kawazuzakura, an early-flowering cherry tree variety, at Miura Kaigan, south of Tokyo, on March 2. (Photo by Yuichi Nitta)

CHIHIRO ISHIKAWA

March 9, 2025 09:00 JST

TOKYO -- Sakura season has arrived, meaning visitors will begin flocking to spots nationwide to catch sight of the pink and white cherry blossoms synonymous with spring in Japan.

Tokyo-bound travelers can expect to see sakura starting to bloom from March 23, according to a forecast released Thursday by the Japan Meteorological Corp. (JMC), which is based on Someiyoshino, the most popular type of cherry blossom in Japan.