[Kyushu Cherry Blossom Forecast] When will cherry blossoms bloom and be in full bloom this year (Commentary: Weather forecaster Atsuko Miyake)

2026/03/17 14:13

Yesterday, March 16th (Monday), cherry blossoms bloomed in Kochi, Gifu, and Kofu, and in Kofu, it was the earliest blooming in recorded history.
In various places, the flowers bloomed about a week earlier than normal.



This year, the Kyushu region is also expected to bloom at a normal level and earlier than normal.

The reason for the forecast being earlier than normal is that
the temperature was higher this February.

Let's take a look at the highest temperatures in Fukuoka and Kagoshima as representative locations in Kyushu since February 1 of this year compared to normal.



It was especially warm from mid-February to late February,
There were days when the temperature was 5 to 10 degrees Celsius higher than normal.

Although the cold weather returned in March, the warmth of February seems to have helped the cherry blossom buds grow smoothly.
For this reason, we expect the flowers to bloom earlier than normal.




Now, let's take a look at the flowering forecast for each region.
The earliest place in the Kyushu region that is predicted to bloom is March 20th, the spring equinox in Fukuoka.
Next, the flowers are expected to bloom in Nagasaki on March 21st,
Miyazaki, Kumamoto and Saga around March 22nd,
Oita around March 25th, and Kagoshima around March 26th.

There are standards for this cherry blossom blooming.
This is a specimen tree that is used by the Japan Meteorological Agency to monitor flowering conditions.
A state in which 5 to 6 flowers have bloomed is called flowering.
The tree is said to be in full bloom when more than 80% of the buds are open.

The number of days from flowering to full bloom is about one week, depending on the weather and location.

From now on, the temperature is going to be high, and the cherry blossom buds are going to swell all at once.




Let's take a look at the future weather in the Kyushu region.

Today, the 17th (Tuesday), it will be sunny, but tomorrow, the 18th (Wednesday), a low pressure system and a front will pass and there will be widespread rain.
It looks like there will be heavy rain in some places, accompanied by thunder.
The rain is likely to stop on the afternoon of the 19th (Thursday).

The spring equinox on the 20th (Friday) is expected to be broadly sunny and
with a maximum temperature of around 20c.

Although there will be more clouds towards the end of the three-day weekend,
temperatures will be on the higher side, and news of cherry blossoms blooming will continue to arrive.

Severe drowning in the south of Japan due to low pressure [Ocean summary (March 8-14, 2026)]

2026/03/17 12:43

Due to the effects of two low-pressure systems near Ogasawara, waves were high in a wide area on the Pacific side, and there were areas in the east of Japan that were heavily flooded and areas in the south of Japan that were severely flooded.
The following is a summary of the ocean (March 8-14, 2026).



#Pressure distribution and waves
On the 8th, the pressure distribution near Japan was high in the west and low in the east, and waves were high in a wide area around Japan.
On the 9th, the pressure pattern of high in the west and low in the east loosened from the west, and waves in the sea near Japan remained calm at night.
On the 10th, a low pressure system accompanied by a front developed and moved eastward east of Japan. From the 11th to the 12th, this low pressure system slowed down east of Japan.
To the east of Japan, the sea area with high waves gradually expanded, and the area of barges around the low pressure area also expanded.
On the 13th, a low pressure system with a front moved eastward south of Japan, and another low pressure system moved northeast east of the Kuril Islands.
The gradient in atmospheric pressure between these low pressure systems and the continental high pressure system increased, causing waves to rise in the seas near Japan.
On the 14th, two low-pressure systems near Ogasawara caused high waves across the Pacific Ocean.
There was a sea area in the east of Japan that was heavily flooded, and in the south of Japan that was severely flooded.



#Sea surface temperature
Sea surface temperatures in the Japanese waters expanded to areas where they were higher than normal in the northern and western regions.
The East China Sea continued to be slightly higher than normal.
The waters around the Nansei Islands continued to be at normal levels.
The southern part of Japan is at normal levels, and off the coast of the Tokai region, areas slightly lower than normal have expanded.
The sea area from the east of Kanto to the southern part of the coast of Sanriku continued to be significantly warmer than normal, with temperatures up to 4 C higher than normal.
The northern Sanriku coast, the southeastern coast of Hokkaido, the waters around the Chishima Islands, and the Sea of Okhotsk were at normal levels, but the sea ice area gradually expanded in the waters near the Chishima Islands and the Sea of Okhotsk.

Weather for the week: After the three-day weekend, it will be warm like spring, and the cherry blossoms will bloom smoothly.

2026/03/17 08:37

It is expected that many places will be relatively sunny during the upcoming three-day holiday period. Temperatures across the country will be higher than normal, and will be as warm as April. It looks like the cherry blossoms will start blooming.





Tomorrow, the 18th (Wednesday), a low pressure system and front will approach from the west. In western Japan, it will be raining in the morning in Kyushu, Chugoku, and Shikoku, and you will need an umbrella if you go out. The area of rain will spread to the Kinki, Tokai, and Hokuriku regions from evening to night, and there is a possibility of heavy rain accompanied by thunder in parts of the Pacific Ocean, so caution is required.

The day after tomorrow, the 19th (Thursday), the rain will spread to the Kanto and Tohoku regions, with localized thunderstorms. However, the low pressure system is expected to gradually move away from the sea east of Japan, and the front is expected to gradually move south toward the sea south of Honshu. For this reason, the rain in Tohoku and Kanto is likely to be concentrated in the morning.

On the 20th (Friday), the first day of the three-day holiday, northern Japan is likely to experience temporary rain due to pressure troughs and low-pressure systems, and it is likely to snow in some places in Hokkaido. In the Kanto region, clouds tend to spread due to localized fronts and low pressure systems, and there is a possibility of temporary rain. In western Japan, there will be many sunny places.

On Saturday the 21st, high pressure will cover many places and it will likely be sunny, but the next front is expected to approach the Nansei Islands. There are currently no major weather forecasts expected for the last day of the three-day weekend, but please keep an eye on future forecast changes.

The expected maximum temperature in the future is expected to be around or above normal in many places across the country, and after the three-day weekend, many places will experience higher than normal temperatures. Even though it will rain, the temperature is not expected to drop significantly, and the cherry blossoms are likely to bloom smoothly.
From Kyushu to Tohoku, cedar pollen is at its peak. After the rain, the amount of scattering tends to increase, so you need to be careful. Also, from late March to early April, cypress pollen will begin to scatter. If you are susceptible to symptoms, please continue to take precautions.

Cherry blossoms blooming announced in Kofu, Gifu, and Kochi; Kofu records the earliest blooming date in recorded history

2026/03/16 21:46

Today, the 16th (Monday), the blooming of cherry blossoms (Somei Yoshino) was announced in Kofu, Gifu, and Kochi.

With the rise in temperature, the growth of cherry blossom buds has progressed, and some spots on Honshu are starting to bloom. The locations where the flowers bloomed on the 16th all had earlier blooms than normal and last year. Kochi was the first in the country to announce that the flowers had bloomed, Gifu was the earliest in recorded history, and Kofu recorded the earliest in recorded history.



From now on, warm air is expected to prevail over the weekend. Temperatures will continue to rise across the country, with some places likely to be warmer than normal.

For this reason, the cherry blossoms are expected to bloom smoothly. In late March, cherry blossoms will bloom in many areas of western and eastern Japan. It is expected to occur around March 19th in Tokyo, around March 20th in Hiroshima, and around March 25th in Osaka.

In April, the cherry blossom front will advance towards northern Japan and will begin blooming in Tohoku. Sendai is expected to arrive around April 3rd, and Akita around April 13th.

From late April onwards, the cherry blossom front will advance towards Hokkaido. The flowers are expected to bloom in Hakodate around April 23rd, and in Wakkanai and Abashiri in mid-May.

The weather will deteriorate over a wide area around the 18th and 19th, and the front will remain stationary in the south of Honshu during the three-day weekend.

2026/03/16 13:13

In the middle of this week, from the 18th (Wednesday) to the 19th (Thursday), the weather will deteriorate over a wide area and it will rain due to the effects of low pressure and fronts. During the three-day holiday period starting on the 20th (Friday), the front is expected to stall in the south of Japan from the 21st (Saturday) to the 22nd (Sunday), and clouds will likely spread over the Pacific side.



On the 18th (Wednesday), a low pressure system that formed on the front of the continent is expected to pass through the East China Sea and move east toward Kyushu. After that, the low pressure system is expected to pass near Honshu and move east of Japan until the 19th (Thursday).
Rain will begin to fall early on the morning of the 18th (Wednesday) in places such as Kyushu, and by noon the rain will spread to Chugoku and Shikoku, and in the afternoon to mainly western Japan.



On the 19th (Thursday), rain will be widespread from eastern Japan to the Tohoku region. Rain is expected to remain in some parts of the Kanto region until the 20th (Friday).

As a low pressure system or front approaches, the rain and wind may temporarily increase, so please be careful.

A stationary front is expected to extend over the southern seas of Honshu from the 21st (Saturday) to the 22nd (Sunday) during the three-day holiday period.
Clouds are spreading over the Pacific side of Kyushu, Okinawa, Shikoku, and Honshu, and the weather is likely to be prone to rain in some areas.
However, the forecast is a little into the future, so it may change depending on the position of the front where it stagnates. If the front approaches Honshu, there is a possibility of rain mainly on the Pacific side, so please check the latest weather forecast.



The weather is expected to deteriorate in some places after the 18th (Wednesday), but the temperature will be around or above normal across the country, and the cold weather will not return.

4th Cherry Blossom Bloom Date Forecast Western and Eastern Japan are expected to be near normal or early. Some locations will see blooming later this week.

2026/03/16 06:58

Our company Sunny Spot will announce the expected date of the 4th cherry blossom blooming. Please use this information when planning your cherry blossom viewing.

The forecast for cherry blossom blooming in 2026 is that from western Japan to eastern Japan, the cherry blossoms will bloom at a normal level or earlier than normal. In addition, in many places in northern Japan, the flowers will bloom earlier than normal.



From now on, the cold air is expected to recede and warm air is expected to prevail over the weekend. Temperatures will continue to rise across the country, and many places will experience warmer-than-average temperatures over the weekend.

For this reason, the cherry blossoms are expected to bloom smoothly. Kochi is the first city in the country to bloom, with blooming expected around March 18th. This is expected to be followed by Tokyo and Nagoya around the 19th.
From western Japan to eastern Japan, the cherry blossom season seems to be progressing, with some places beginning to bloom later this week.

Cherry blossoms are expected to bloom in many areas of western and eastern Japan in late March, with cherry blossoms expected to be enjoyed in Hiroshima around the 20th and Osaka around the 25th. It's a good idea to make your cherry blossom viewing plans early, as some places reach their peak early.

In April, the cherry blossom front is expected to move towards northern Japan and bloom in Tohoku. Sendai is expected to arrive around the 3rd, and Akita around the 13th.
From late April onwards, the cherry blossom front will advance towards Hokkaido, and in Hakodate, the cherry blossoms are expected to bloom around the 23rd. The flowers will be in full bloom in Wakkanai and Abashiri in mid-May.

Weather today, the 16th (Monday): Widely sunny; watch out for showers in the Kanto region by morning

2026/03/16 06:25

Today, the 16th (Monday), the area around Japan is expected to be covered in high pressure. The sun will shine in many places and the weather will be mild and sunny, but there is a possibility of rain showers in some areas, such as the Kanto region.



In Hokkaido, clouds tend to spread along the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk, and there are places where there are showers of snow. Please pay attention to changes in the sky. It will be sunny in many places on the Pacific side.

Sunlight is expected to reach a wide area from Tohoku to Kyushu and Okinawa.
During the daytime, there are many places where the temperature is typical of this time of year, and you can feel the warmth of the sunlight. There will be a large difference in temperature between morning and evening and during the day, so please be careful not to get sick.

Meanwhile, the Kanto region will be cloudy in the morning, mainly in the southern part, and there is a possibility of showers by morning. It's safe to have a folding umbrella when going out. The weather will improve and the sun will return in the afternoon.

Tomorrow's weather: The 16th (Monday) will be sunny and sunny in a wide area, making it the perfect spring weather. Don't forget to take measures against pollen.

2026/03/15 19:01

Tomorrow, the 16th (Monday), will be covered in high pressure overhanging the continent, and it will be sunny over a wide area. The temperature is also typical of this time of year, and with the sunshine reaching you, you can feel the cheerfulness of spring.



Tomorrow, the 16th (Monday), there will be snow in some parts of Hokkaido, but no major collapse is expected.

On the Sea of Japan coast from Tohoku to Hokuriku, there will be some rain or snow until the morning, but it will be mostly sunny in the afternoon.

Clouds are becoming more likely to spread in the Kanto and Tokai regions, and it is likely to rain in some places from tonight until dawn on the 16th (Monday). Sunshine will arrive in the afternoon.

In Kyushu, it will be sunny at first, but clouds will gradually spread due to the influence of humid air, and in the Amami region, it is expected to rain in the evening.



Maximum temperatures will be broadly around or above normal. You can almost feel the cheerfulness of spring.
Kushiro in Hokkaido is expected to have a temperature of 6c, Obihiro is 9c, Morioka in Tohoku is expected to have a temperature of 11c, and Sendai is expected to have a temperature of 13c, which will be as warm as early April.
However, it can get cold in the mornings and evenings, so it's a good idea to choose clothes that can be adjusted.
If you have hay fever, please continue to take measures against pollen such as masks and glasses.

It's going to rain tonight in the Kanto region, including Tokyo, so if you're going to get home late, prepare an umbrella.

2026/03/15 12:22

Today, the 15th (Sunday), the area around Honshu is covered by high pressure from the west, and many places, especially on the Pacific side, are sunny. The sun will shine during the day, making it a perfect day for tourists. However, after this, there will be some places where it will rain in the evening in Shizuoka Prefecture and at night in Kanto areas such as Tokyo.



Today, the 15th (Sunday), the area around Honshu is gently covered by high pressure and is sunny, but over the sea south of the Kanto region, winds are expected to collide and clouds will likely develop. Therefore, clouds will gradually increase in the Kanto and Tokai regions from the afternoon.
It is likely to rain in some places in Shizuoka Prefecture from the evening, and in Tokyo and other areas of the Kanto region from late at night. If you will be returning home late today, the 15th (Sunday), it would be a good idea to have a folding umbrella ready.



In Kanto and Shizuoka prefectures, it will likely rain until dawn on the 16th (Monday) tomorrow, and the sun will reach around noon tomorrow.
Tomorrow, the 16th (Monday), the area around Japan will be covered in high pressure, and it is expected to be sunny in many parts of the country.
However, it is expected that there will be a lot of pollen scattered, so it is a good idea to continue to take precautions such as wearing a mask and glasses when going out.

The warmth of spring. It will be sunny for the first half of the week, and the cherry blossoms are counting down to bloom!

2026/03/15 09:35

There is a low pressure system in the sea near Chishima and it is moving northwest.
Also, there is a low pressure system over the sea east of Japan, and it is moving eastward.
On the other hand, there is an anticyclone on the continent, which spreads over the Sea of Japan and the East China Sea.

Currently, it is snowing in Hokkaido and raining in some places on the Sea of Japan side of Tohoku and Hokuriku, but it is sunny in many places nationwide.




Today, the 15th (Sunday), high pressure will spread around Honshu, and it will be mostly sunny from Okinawa to Kanto. However, it is expected that there will be showers in some parts of the Tokai and Kanto regions starting in the evening.
From Hokuriku to Hokkaido, there will be a lot of clouds mainly on the Sea of Japan side, and there will be places where it will snow and rain, mainly in Hokkaido.






Daytime temperatures will be around normal or slightly higher, with spring warmth. It is expected that there will be a large amount of pollen scattered, especially in western and eastern Japan, so please be careful if you suffer from hay fever.






At the end of the week, the 16th (Monday), high pressure will spread from the west and cover the area around Japan even more than it does today.
The day after tomorrow, the 17th (Tuesday), the center will move from the Sea of Japan to the vicinity of Honshu.

For this reason, tomorrow and the day after tomorrow will be sunny across the country in many places, with daytime temperatures rising and the weather expected to be as sunny as late March to early April nationwide.
The cherry blossoms are progressing rapidly in preparation for blooming, and some places are likely to receive news of blooming as early as this week.

From the middle of the week, from the 18th (Wednesday) to the vernal equinox, the 20th (Friday), there will be many places across the country with poor weather as low pressure systems, fronts, and pressure troughs pass through.