Japan releases first sakura forecast for 2026; Tokyo to see blooms from mid-March

The sakura, or cherry blossoms, season is forecast to begin around mid-March in cities such as Tokyo and Nagoya. - Reuters

TOKYO: Japan’s Meteorological Corporation (JMC) on Thursday (Dec 18) released its first sakura – or cherry blossoms –forecast for 2026, with the famous flowers expected to bloom in the capital around mid-March.

According to the forecast, the earliest flowering will be in the capital Tokyo and Nagoya, in Aichi Prefecture, on March 19. Full bloom is expected a week later in Tokyo on March 26, and on March 28 in Nagoya.