About Japan Cherry Blossom Map
Japan Cherry Blossom Map puts the bloom dates of cherry blossom spots across Japan on one map: roughly when each spot starts to bloom, when it reaches full bloom and which days look best. Based on the spots you want to visit, it also suggests where to stay and what to see each day. The site is free and needs no sign-up.
What you can do here
- Bloom map: pick a date and see how the blossoms look at each spot that day.
- All spots: sort by region or full-bloom date, or show only Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots.
- Trip list and trip planner: add the spots you want to visit and see them ordered by best viewing date, then get places to stay and a day-by-day plan. Lodging is chosen with blooms a few days early or late in mind. Your list is stored only in your own browser.
- Spot pages: past bloom dates, number and varieties of trees, night illumination, access and parking for each spot.
How bloom dates are estimated
A common rule of thumb in Japan is the 400/600-degree rule: starting February 1, add up each day's mean temperature until the total reaches 400°C, or each day's high until it reaches 600°C. Blooming starts around that day.
Temperatures are similar within a region, but spots bloom at different times. So each region uses one spot as an "anchor" estimated with the rule, and every other spot adds its average difference from the anchor. In Kyushu the rule is no more accurate than the historical average, so Kyushu simply uses the historical average.
Spots without full bloom records are marked "Reference". Their dates are estimated from last year's full-bloom record or from nearby spots, so they are less accurate.
"Best viewing" means days 2–7 after full bloom. When the news reports "full bloom", it usually means only about 80% of the buds on the sample tree have opened; most trees reach full bloom a few days later. This definition comes from personal experience, so treat it as a guide. Full details are in About & data sources at the bottom of the map page.
Where the data comes from
- Bloom and full-bloom dates for cities, daily temperatures and forecasts: Japan Meteorological Agency.
- Past bloom dates for each spot: the spots' official records and a spreadsheet compiled by a travel blog.
- Popular spots, number and varieties of trees, access and parking: Walkerplus Hanami.
- Night illumination: Weathernews and Walkerplus.
- Suggested time to spend: visitor reviews on Jalan.
- Photos: submitted by visitors; a few come from Wikimedia Commons and Unsplash, with the author and license shown under each photo.
Spot pages link to the original sources. This site is not an official site of the Japan Meteorological Agency or of any of these services.
How often it is updated
During the blossom season (from February), dates are re-estimated every day with the Japan Meteorological Agency's observed temperatures and forecasts; at other times they are based mainly on historical averages. Errors in spot data are fixed as soon as they are found.
Accuracy
Bloom dates are estimates and can be off; temperature, wind and rain also matter. Please check local live bloom reports before you go.
Photo and story submissions
You're welcome to submit cherry blossom photos and stories from Japan, including past trips. Every submission is reviewed by hand; approved ones appear on spot pages and in Community with your credit name. Copyright stays with the contributor.
Ads and privacy
This site shows Google AdSense ads, placed only at the bottom of each page so they never cover the map, dates or itinerary. Ads have no influence on spots, bloom dates or trip plans. Your trip list and settings are stored only in your own browser and are never uploaded. See the privacy policy.
Who runs this site
Japan Cherry Blossom Map is a personal project made and maintained by XuPei. If you find a data error, a wrong spot name or bloom date, or have other suggestions, please email [email protected].