Kyushu Cherry Blossom Dates 2025

Fukuoka and Kyushu Cherry Blossom Blooming Dates

Cherry blossom blooming here in Kyushu for next year is expected to be from the last week of March into the first week of April 2025.

The first detailed forecast for next year’s cherry blossom season will be released in January 2025. Check back to this page or follow us on Facebook or Instagram to be the first to know. Please note these dates are for Kyushu only; other parts of Japan will have different cherry blossom flowering dates.

However with the changing climate it is becoming increasingly difficult to predict. This year (2024) is the hottest since records began more than 100 years ago (news article here) all over Japan and especially in Kyushu.

Last ‘sakura’ season the first bloom in Fukuoka was March 27 (five days later than average and eleven days later than the previous year) and full bloom happened on 02 April (two days later than average).

The best time to see cherry blossom is usually in the few days before and after full bloom.

By the way, if you are wondering what ‘sakura’ means, it’s simply Japanese for ‘flowering cherry tree’ 🌸

Detail of spots around Kyushu

If you want super-detailed information you can find blooming predictions for dozens of individual spots around Kyushu. Honestly speaking, you might just drive yourself crazy with detail. Perhaps it’s better just to hope, pray and be lucky.

Where are the best Kyushu sakura spots?

Check the video below! All photos taken by us as we travelled around Kyushu hunting for the very best cherry blossom spots.

South Kyushu vs North Kyushu blooming dates

The cherry trees in South Kyushu bloom later than those in North Kyushu. On average the blooming dates for Kagoshima (on the southern tip of Kyushu) are three days later than Fukuoka in the north. Our Cherry Blossom tour focuses on North Kyushu so you’ll get the chance to experience the stunning scenery of Fukuoka, Oita, Kumamoto, Nagasaki and Saga prefectures. It’s a great chance to experience the different regions and local cuisines of Kyushu.

First bloom vs Full bloom

Cherry blossom predictions include date of ‘first bloom’ (開花) and date of ‘full bloom’ (満開). The date of first bloom is the first day on which 5 or 6 buds open on official observation trees. The date of full bloom is the first day on which 80% or more buds open on official observation trees. You may be wondering what are ‘official observation trees’? These are trees from 1,000 designated locations around Japan. They are used every year and so allow easy comparison from one year to the next.

Average full bloom dates in Kyushu

These are the full bloom dates over the last 5 years for Fukuoka:

These are the average full bloom dates over the last 40 years:

Fukuoka: 01 April

Kumamoto: 01 April

Miyazaki: 02 April

Saga: 03 April

Oita: 03 April

Nagasaki: 03 April

Kagoshima: 04 April

But WAIT! Compare the average full bloom dates above (last 40 years) to the data below (last 10 years):

Fukuoka: 29 March (40 year average 01 April)

Kumamoto: 31 March(40 year average 01 April)

Miyazaki: 01 April(40 year average 02 April)

Saga: 31 March (40 year average 03 April)

Oita: Oita 03 April(40 year average 03 April)

Nagasaki: 31 March(40 year average 03 April)

Kagoshima: 05 April (40 year average 04 April)

Can you see the pattern? It seems the sakura blooming dates in Kyushu are getting earlier. The only exceptions are Oita Prefecture (which has lots of mountains) and Kagoshima (in the very south of Kyushu).

Is it caused by Global Warming? I don’t know.

Reliability of predictions

Predicting blooming dates is very difficult. The earlier the prediction is released, the more incorrect it is likely to be. We usually get the first predictions in January. On average these early predictions miss the actual blooming dates by four days. Even predictions just two weeks before are wrong by an average of two days.

How are blooming predictions made?

The predictions are based on the temperatures in autumn the previous year, winter temperatures and cherry tree growth in spring. This information is compared to the many years previous data to produce the forecasts. It’s an art, not a science, which is why the forecast aren’t completely accurate. Sudden last-minute temperature changes also have an effect. Finally, don’t forget that strong wind and heavy rain can destroy the petals in an instant.

Cherry blossom predictions are unofficial

In years gone by the Japan Meteorological Office issued official predictions. However they stopped doing this in 2009. The predictions these days are made by commercial companies. Two of the most well-known are Japan Meteorological Corporation and Sakura Weathermap. Unfortunately the predictions by each company differ by some days. You know why? Because in the end, cherry blossom prediction is an art and not a science.

Can you guarantee cherry blossom viewing?

There are no guarantees. We all rely on the mood of Mother Nature. Some years are average, some years early and some are late. The earliest first bloom in Kyushu was 13 March in 2009 (Update: that record was beaten in 2021 with blooming on 12 March). The latest record of first bloom Kyushu was 06 April in 1962. You see? Blooming dates can be weeks apart depending on the whims of nature.

Tips to see cherry blossom bloom

Come as long as possible! Of course we all wish we could but most of us have time and money limits. However if you can stay for two weeks you will almost certainly see the sakura bloom.

Plan your itinerary to include places with different species of cherry tree.

Visit north and south Kyushu. The wider geographical area, the higher your chances to see the cherry blossoms bloom.

Visit the last week of March and the first few days of April. On an average years this will be the most likely dates to see the cherry trees in full bloom.

Be Lucky! No matter how well you plan, you’ll still need some luck.

Bonus Tip: visit with hope but not expectation. Kyushu is still an amazing place with cherry blossoms or without. After all said and done, if you see them you see them. If you don’t, you don’t. Don’t let these small pink flowers become an obsession. If your timing isn’t right don’t let it ruin your trip.

Late booking warning

Don’t wait to see the latest predictions. Hotels and flights book up quickly in spring. The longer you leave it the more expensive things become. Every year we have clients contact us last minute. Most can’t come because flights become extraordinarily expensive.

How can I get latest Kyushu cherry blossom dates?

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There are around 10 predictions released from January through to April. We’ll release each update on our Facebook page. These updates are based on actual measurements of local conditions. Any predictions released prior to January 2025 are forecasts based on historical blooming data. Our predictions for Kyushu cherry blossom are based on first bloom and full bloom dates of more than 100 years data!

Need help planning a cherry blossom trip to Kyushu?

Email to [email protected] or complete our contact form. Tell us how many people plan to travel and we’ll reply with all the details you need. If you’re super-excited to get started just click the WhatsApp icon below and message or call right now!

Have any questions about Kyushu cherry blossom viewing?

Ask your question in the comment section below. We’ll be happy to help.