Japan Cherry Blossom 2026 - Week by Week

When the blossom opens, week by week

The Japan Meteorological Corporation publishes the 2026 forecast in January, and Wanvela adjusts every client's trip dates accordingly.

Forecast 2026:

• Fukuoka (Kyushu) · opens 18 March, peak 26 March
• Hiroshima · opens 22 March, peak 30 March
• Kyoto · opens 26 March, peak 3 April
• Osaka · opens 27 March, peak 4 April
• Tokyo · opens 24 March, peak 1 April
• Hakone · opens 5 April, peak 12 April
• Sendai · opens 6 April, peak 13 April

The city order we recommend for peak

The strategy is to chase the bloom, start in Tokyo at peak, then move to Hakone (peaks 4 days later), then drop to Kyoto (peaks 2 days after Tokyo).

The 9-day, 7-night program we used in 2025 and will repeat in 2026:

1. Night 1–3 · Tokyo (Aman Tokyo or Hoshinoya), Meguro River, Chidorigafuchi, Shinjuku Gyoen
2. Night 4–5 · Hakone (Hoshinoya Fuji or Gora Kadan), ryokan, onsen, Mt. Fuji view
3. Night 6–8 · Kyoto (Aman Kyoto or Hoshinoya), Philosopher's Path, Heian Shrine, Maruyama Park

Why we don't start in Kyoto

Clients ask, Kyoto is more beautiful, why not start there? The answer, Tokyo peaks two days before Kyoto. Starting in Kyoto means you'd see Tokyo after peak, with the petals already falling.

The fastest-booking hotels

Sakura week is the fastest hotel-booking week of the year in Japan. Wanvela books 8–10 months ahead, our 2026 bookings closed in May 2025.

• Aman Tokyo · Otemachi tower, view over Imperial Palace
• Hoshinoya Tokyo · an authentic ryokan in the business district
• Hoshinoya Fuji · glamping near Mt. Fuji
• Aman Kyoto · 32 rooms hidden in forest near Kinkaku-ji
• Conrad Osaka, option if Aman is full

"Sakura is the seven days when Japan holds its breath. If you time it right, you understand why." - Wanvela Japan trip note

Activities we add

• Hanami picnic in Maruyama Park with bento from Maruyama Restaurant
• Tea ceremony at Camellia Garden, Kyoto
• Private kaiseki dinner at Kikunoi (2 Michelin stars)
• Night sakura walk at Yasaka Pagoda, only the entrance fee, but the photographs are worth it

If you miss peak

If your trip lands later than expected, Sendai and northeast Japan peak in late April, you can chase the bloom up there. Mount Yoshino (Nara prefecture) peaks 5–10 April, well-suited to a day trip from Kyoto.

Read our 2025 trip diary to see the real timeline.