Cherry blossoms in Japan typically bloom in the spring, usually between late March and early April. The exact timing varies depending on the geographical location and weather each year. For the year 2025, the forecast for major cities is roughly as follows:

• Tokyo: Cherry blossoms start blooming around March 24 with full bloom around March 30.
• Kyoto and Osaka: Bloom starts late March (around March 27-29) with full bloom in early April (April 4-6).
• Northern regions like Sapporo see blooming much later, around late April to early May (around April 25 to April 28).

In southern Japan, such as Okinawa, blossoms can appear as early as January to February. From the south, the blooming season moves northward until reaching Hokkaido in late April to early May. The blossoms usually take about one week to reach full bloom after first flowering, and the full bloom period itself lasts around a week. Weather conditions in the weeks before and during the season can cause some variation in these dates each year.

So, if you plan to visit Japan to see cherry blossoms, the best time in most central regions like Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka is generally from late March to early April. For northern areas like Hokkaido, plan for late April to early May.