Overview
When spring hits in the northern hemisphere, so does one of Japan's most famous annual periods: cherry blossom season. Trees start blooming with pastel pink flowers, and tourists start flocking to the Asian country.
While there's no shortage of things to do in Japan, or bright and colourful attractions for that matter, there's nothing more disappointing than popping something on your holiday itinerary, looking forward to it for weeks or months, and then not being able to cross it off. And that's often a very real issue for folks hoping to immerse themselves in cherry blossom season. Nature, like the rest of life, doesn't always stick to a schedule.
The Japan Meteorological Corporation has been doing its part with regular forecasts, which are updated frequently. Covering more than a thousand locations across the country — spanning from Hokkaido to Kagoshima — it tracks when the blossoms are expected to start to flowering, as well as when they should reach full bloom. But for those eager to take their planning to the next level, JMC has also released the Sakura Navi app, which updates flowering dates, sends notifications to users about their chosen spots, and helps you find the best viewing places in your vicinity.
Running since 2016, the app costs 360 yen, or approximately AU$4.60. And while travelling overseas can spark a new app free-for-all, if you're visiting Japan during between March–May and you have your heart set on stepping into a pink floral wonderland, it'll help ensure you don't miss out on a blooming good time.
Based on current forecasts — the sixth for this year — cherry blossoms are expected in Tokyo between March 21–29 and Osaka between March 25 and April 1, then move further north until May. And if you're wondering about the service's accuracy, it also highlights a deviation period for each location. At present, it notes that flowers might start blooming up to seven days before their predicated date, or a maximum of two days afterwards.
For further cherry blossom forecasts, and more information about Sakura Navi, visit the JMC website.