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| basic
information |
When do they bloom?
The most important factor in determining the blooming time of cherry trees is the geographical location. Basically, the milder the climate, the earlier the blossoms open.
On Japan's southern, subtropical islands of Okinawa, cherry blossoms open as early as January, while on the northern island of Hokkaido, they bloom as late as May. In most major cities in between, including Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, the cherry blossom season typically takes place around the end of March and beginning of April (see table below).
Furthermore, the blooming time differs from year to year depending on the weather. If the weather during the months and weeks preceding the cherry blossom season is mild, blossoms will open early. If it is cold, blossoms will open later. From year to year, the start of the blooming season can vary by as much as two weeks.
How long do they bloom?
The cherry blossom season is relatively short. Full bloom (mankai) is usually reached within about one week after the opening of the first blossoms (kaika). Another week later, the blooming peak is over and the blossoms are falling from the trees. Strong wind and rain can cut the blooming season even shorter.
Cherry blossom forecasts
Every year, the Meteorological Agency and the media close follows the so called "cherry blossom front" as it slowly moves northward. Note that the front indicates the opening of the first blossoms (kaika) rather than the arrival of full bloom (mankai).
Of course, not every tree in a city opens on the same day, as trees in shadowy places, for example, bloom several days later than trees in sunny places. For this reason, a set of representative sample trees is selected to define the date of kaika (the opening of the first blossoms) for a whole city. In Tokyo, the sample trees are located at Yasukuni Shrine.
Average blooming dates
The dates below indicate the average dates on which cherry trees open their first blossoms for selected cities, and the dates on which they opened in some previous years. Remember that full bloom is usually reached within about one week from the date the first blossoms have opened.
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City
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Average Year
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2007
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2006
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2005
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Sapporo
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May 5
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May 4
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May 8
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May 10
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Hakodate
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May 3
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April 30
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May 7
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May 1
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Sendai
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April 12
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April 6
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April 13
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April 14
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Tokyo
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March 28
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March 20
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March 21
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March 31
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Yokohama
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March 28
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March 23
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March 21
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April 2
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Nagoya
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March 28
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March 23
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March 26
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March 31
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Kanazawa
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April 6
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March 29
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April 6
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April 7
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Kyoto
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March 31
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March 25
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March 27
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April 2
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Osaka
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March 30
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March 27
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March 28
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April 3
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Nara
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April 1
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March 27
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March 29
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April 2
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Kobe
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March 30
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March 30
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March 27
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April 3
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Hiroshima
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March 29
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March 22
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March 22
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April 3
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Takamatsu
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March 30
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March 28
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March 27
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April 1
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Matsuyama
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March 28
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March 23
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March 24
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April 1
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Fukuoka
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March 26
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March 21
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March 23
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March 29
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Kumamoto
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March 24
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March 23
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March 20
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April 1
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Kagoshima
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March 26
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March 30
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March 20
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April 3
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Naha
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January 19
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January 23
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January 13
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January 19
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The data is according to the Japan Meteorological Agency and refers to Somei Yoshino cherry trees, except in the case of Sapporo (Ezoyamazakura) and Naha (Hikanzakura).
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Guide to Cherry Blossom Viewing:
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