Kyoto: Blossoms Opening

Today I visited Kyoto, three days after my last visit, to check on the state of the cherry blossoms. I am pleased to report that mainstream cherry blossom season in Kyoto is progressing swiftly. I thought the cherry trees in the old capital were looking attractive already, and it should be a day or so till the start of their best viewing. Accordingly, full bloom will follow in a day or two after that. I estimate the best viewing in Kyoto to start from March 29, 2026 and continue through to till next weekend. Note that there is rain forecast next week, but it should not affect the newly opened blossoms too adversely.

Matt was in Tokyo yesterday and reported that the cherry blossoms were approaching full bloom in the capital city. Those in Tokyo can expect to see the cherry blossoms at their best from this weekend through till next weekend barring inclement weather.

For those interested in the cherry blossom situation in cities apart from Kyoto, the estimated best viewing information for other major cities can be found on our cherry blossom forecast page. Follow along here to keep up with the latest updates as we bring almost daily on-site sakura reports from various cities.

I started my day at the Kyoto Imperial Park, which is home to a grove of weeping cherry trees that blossom before the mainstream Somei Yoshino cherry trees. Located in the northwestern end of the park, the weeping cherry trees were at full bloom when I visited. I expect the weeping cherry blossoms to remain at their peak for the next few days or so, however, the forecast rain on Tuesday may shorten the best viewing period.

Next on my itinerary was the Philosopher's Path. Cherry trees line the approximately two kilometer path, and today, I found the path to be very attractive even though many cherry trees were just under the halfway mark to full bloom. Given the warm temperatures forecast for today and tomorrow, which encourage the blossoms to open, I expect the best viewing period to start as early as from tomorrow, March 29, and continue through to next weekend.

My last stop was the Keage Incline, a popular cherry blossom spot in Kyoto. Many more blossoms have opened in a span of three warm days since my last visit. The cherry trees are still under the halfway mark to full bloom, but the best viewing is expected to start in a day or so given this weekend's warm weather.