Click below ⇓ for the video of early-blooming sakura 2020

updated on March 6, 2020

  As the outbreak of the new coronavirus is spreading not only in Japan/Asia but also across the world, the governments of the affected country have taken up measures to minimize the contagion of the virus. Following the Japanese government plan that came into effect last week, schools are temporarily closed until late March, people are requested to avoid crowds, and mass gatherings/events are cancelled, delayed or scaled down. Various amusement facilities and museums are also closed for about 2 weeks: Tokyo Disney Resort, Universal Studios Japan, and even Ueno Zoo in the heart of Tokyo. The big city seems a bit quiet now, but people’s excitement has already started to build for the upcoming spring season. At the entrance of Ueno Park are 2 cherry trees of type Ookanzakura in full bloom (as of March 2). Among over 300 varieties of cherry trees in Japan, there are quite a lot of types that bloom early ahead of Somei-Yoshino, the most common type. Beautiful pink Kawazuzakura at the foot of Tokyo Skytree is now at its best.

  Below is the latest cherry blossom forecast (sakura calendar 2020) released on March 5 by the Japan Weather Association. Below are the expected dates of blooming (Japanese map). This year, some sakura bloom a lot earlier than average. Somei-Yoshino cherry trees, the most common variety in Japan, will begin flowering in Tokyo and Nagoya after March 15, which is very early, then around Kyoto on March 20, and we have to wait until April 26 in the far north of Sapporo. The dates in the English map indicate the best viewing periods of cherry blossoms.

*Please note many “Sakura Festivals” across Japan will be cancelled this year due to the new coronavirus outbreak, however it will be possible to visit all cherry blossom sites. Let us remember that flowers never fail to bloom again.

Tokyo Skytree                                    Ueno Park

updated on March 5, 2020