It is official! It’s cherry blossom season in Tokyo.
One of the big news in Tokyo is that it is now officially cherry blossom season 2025.
How is it decided?
In major cities in each area, a specified cherry tree is observed as the standard tree. Official from Japan Meteorological Agency come and check this standard tree and when five or six buds of a standard tree begin to burst, the flowering is announced, which is called ‘Kaika Sengen’ (declaration of flowering.) In case of Tokyo, a tree at Yasukuni Shrine is the standard tree and for the past few days, officials are there to check and they confirmed there are 5-6 blossoms blooming today(March 24) that now it is officially declared that the cherry blossom season in Tokyo has started. It was a big news today.
Cherry Blossom season is really short. Depending on the weather but blossoms generally last only about a week or so. If it rains or if it is windy, flowers may fall before that.
Where are good places to visit?
The most famous cherry blossom spots in Tokyo are: Chidorigafuchi (Imperial palace), Ueno Park, Meguro River, Sumida Park(Asakusa) and Shinjuku Gyoen. However, those places will get super crowded during the season. If you visit early in the morning, it will be less crowded.
There are plenty of other places in Tokyo that you can see cherry blossoms. Parks, Shrines, streets, gardens, schools, etc.
Cherry Blossom Viewing (Hanami)
Traditionally, Japanese people enjoy cherry blossoms with family, friends and colleagues. Sometimes people party under cherry blossoms. It used to be a big thing at work or schools. I feel nowadays, groups are smaller compared to the past. You still see Japanese groups eating and drinking in places like Ueno Park.
Now garbage is becoming a big problem at those Hanami spots. There are different rules in each places. Some place may have garbage bins and other places may ask you to bring back your garbage home.
Cherry Festivals
During the cherry blossom seasons, you will find Cherry Festivals held in many places. Some places have lights up in the evenings.
Nakameguro Sakura Matsuri March 29 & 30
Nihonbashi Muromachi area SAKURA FES NIHONBASHI 2025 （ March 19-April 6)
Roppongi ROPPONGI HILLS（Late March-Early April）
Roppongi MIDTOWN BLOSSOM 2025 （March 14-April 13）
Ark Hills Sakura Matsuri (March 28-30)
There are also smaller Cherry Festivals or Sakura Matsuri in Japanese (桜祭り／さくら祭）held in various places.
Cherry Blossom Front
This time of the year, when you are watching news program, there are not only weather forecast but also cherry blossom forecast. As Japan is rather long from North to South, cherry blossoms move from southern Japan to northern Japan. We call it Cherry Blossom Front.
Some people follow the front and travel from south to north to see cherry blossoms. If you miss cherry blossoms in Tokyo, you will still have chances in northern Japan.
Cherry Blossom forecast from JWA (Japan Weather Association) According to their forecast as of March 19, expected cherry blossom blooming dates are: Tokyo March 24, Nagoya March 26, Osaka & Hiroshima March 27, Sendai March 30, Kanazawa April 3, Nagano April 5, Niigata April 6, Akita April 6, Aomori April 18, Sapporo April 25.
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