Tokyo: Still Closed

We are now at end of February, and the question that many people might be wondering is when the mainstream cherry blossom season will start. While there is no definitive answer yet, our preliminary forecast is that the best viewing of the cherry blossoms in major cities like Tokyo and Osaka is expected to start in late March.

However, some early flowering cherry tree varieties are already blooming, and those who want to see sakura now should look out for them. The Kawazuzakura in Kawazu were at their best when I visited about ten days ago, but the best viewing period has ended there by now.

In Tokyo, Shinjuku Gyoen is the best park to see a wide variety of cherry trees from the early flowering ones to the late flowering ones. The large variety allows for an extended cherry blossom viewing period. While not as plentiful as the most common Somei Yoshino variety, the early flowering cherry trees provide a splash of color, signalling the beginnings of spring.

On my visit to Shinjuku Gyoen today, I saw a number of early flowering cherry trees at various stages of bloom. Some were at full bloom, while the rest were approaching their best, and I expect them to remain attractive through the weekend and at least into next week.