Japan - Sakura / Cherry Blossom forecast 2012

For those of you who are thinking of timing your trip to Japan around the sakura season, it appears that the blooms will be a little bit later than average this year:

http://yokosonews.com/travel/cherry-blossom-2012-early-forecast-released/

http://yokosonews.com/files/3113/2975/0295/20120220.02.Sakura.jpg

This is the forecast as of February 21st, but I don't think that it has changed much since then (though with Tokyo weather expected to hit 20C today, it's possible that things could speed up a bit)

Weren't they expected earlier a few weeks ago? Looks like I'll be too early :( and last year was perfect timing but cancelled the trip due to the tsunami and earthquake aftermath.

Just FYI, the dates in the map above are for the beginning of cherry blossom season. Full bloom is a week or so later.

We are arriving to Tokyo on 22-Mar, then headed to Hakone, then to Hiroshima, then onward to Kyoto, departing on the night of the 1st of April. A bummer.... I wanted to go a week later but the wife exercised her veto right for the dates :(

There will be early blossoms in Tokyo, Hiroshima or Kyoto. I am sure of it. In addition, it will be easy to reach blossoms at their absolute peak during this timeframe if you're flexible enough to travel to where they are in full bloom. If you're not that flexible, then seeing them is not important enough to you. QED.

I wish you wouldn't frown about last year's natural disaster spoiling your chance of seeing cherry blossoms. It seems, I don't know, disrespectful. I wish you wouldn't frown about your wife wanting to travel when she wants to travel. You have a chance to see some blossoms with your wife on holiday in Japan. It's not so bad. It's a nice place. Shaddap you face (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFacWGBJ_cs).

Disclaimer: The following forcast is as on Feb 21. The dates are just a forecast. It could change due to various circumstances.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7178/6984458701_37ae2b6777_z.jpg

http://yokosonews.com/travel/cherry-blossom-2012-early-forecast-released/

Wow, I had no idea there were forecasts! This would have helped in year's past. Thanks very much to hailstorm for posting. Looks like I've finally nailed it this trip for the full bloom timeframe. Looking forward to it!

For those in TYO, what are your favorite spots for viewing?

There will be early blossoms in Tokyo, Hiroshima or Kyoto. I am sure of it. In addition, it will be easy to reach blossoms at their absolute peak during this timeframe if you're flexible enough to travel to where they are in full bloom. If you're not that flexible, then seeing them is not important enough to you. QED.

I wish you wouldn't frown about last year's natural disaster spoiling your chance of seeing cherry blossoms. It seems, I don't know, disrespectful. I wish you wouldn't frown about your wife wanting to travel when she wants to travel. You have a chance to see some blossoms with your wife on holiday in Japan. It's not so bad. It's a nice place. Shaddap you face (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFacWGBJ_cs).

I was recommended to not come last year after the natural disaster as there were serious electricity concerns. This was believed to impact train service, possible food shortage as there were some runs on food at supermarkets, etc. Our friends, some Japanese and some expats, both gave us the same recommendation to not come at that time. In consideration of my wife being 6 months pregnant at the time we headed their advice. I do not find that disrespectful but maybe I am missing something.

With regards to not possibly being flexible to find the blossom, we are not experienced at traveling with our 9 month old baby. We have done many trips with him and stayed in resorts in Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, and stayed with family in the US. Moving around by train for 10 days with a baby may require some different considerations such as room size, location to trains and subways, etc. we are opting to keep some convenience for our first trip like this. If it was just 2 of us we could be extremely flexible without any hesitation. I would love to be 100% flexible but don't think that will happen on this trip. Assuming I don't value the chance to see blossoms is dead wrong. It's the primary reason for going. I would say I find your QED proclamation disrespectful in light of you having limited knowledge of my situation and desires.

On a more positive note, I am excited to read that I should see some beautiful blooms and generally have a good time!

I do not find that disrespectful but maybe I am missing something.

What I find a little bit "got a no respect" is the whining. People lost their loved ones and their their livelihoods. You had to postpone seeing cherry blossoms. "It's a not so bad!"

I'm trying to be ligthhearted about this - hence the Joe Dolce song. But really ...

... we are opting to keep some convenience for our first trip like this. ...

... I find your QED proclamation disrespectful in light of you having limited knowledge of my situation and desires.

As you say, you are opting for one thing over another. It is not necessary to know more about the circumstances behind the choice to say that this decision is described by the concept of opportunity cost:

HAVE CAKE vs. EAT CAKE

You may opt for one or the other. If you eat the cake, you've opted not to have it. QED.

If you find that disrespectful, your beef is with Richard Cantillon. (Or perhaps your cake is with him).

Disclaimer: The following forcast is as on Feb 21. The dates are just a forecast. It could change due to various circumstances.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7178/6984458701_37ae2b6777_z.jpg

http://yokosonews.com/travel/cherry-blossom-2012-early-forecast-released/

They are actually "now" expecting the blossoms later on in the month. It was a cold winter (and is still in many places in Japan). Take a look at the 桜前線 info.

These links might help, too
Direct link to map in first post (assuming it gets updated): http://weathernews.jp/ip/info/sakura/index_mws.html?fm=MWS_DOOR_sakura
Predictions and reports in English: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2011.html

Tokyo Sakura announced as being in "full bloom" today. This year the declaration was three days later than average.

Thanks to all again for the info. Went to Meguro today, saw everything in full bloom. The entire city is looks splendid. Hoping to catch some more tomorrow, perhaps near Ueno or Asakusa.

Got lucky this year with the timing of the current trip..

Thanks to all again for the info. Went to Meguro today, saw everything in full bloom. The entire city is looks splendid. Hoping to catch some more tomorrow, perhaps near Ueno or Asakusa.

Got lucky this year with the timing of the current trip..

Take the train to Takadanobaba , there is a river with cherry trees which hang over it. No where to sit, just stroll along the banks. If you keep walking you will eventually get to the Four Season's Chinzan-so ! It was quite beautiful today....

Thanks for the update, we will be there on Monday and really looking forward to seeing all this in person for the first time.

Was in Shinjuku Gyoen park, Tokyo yesterday and it's awsome!!! So crowded, luckily i went early. My first time in JP and first cherry blossom sightseeing!!

Take the train to Takadanobaba , there is a river with cherry trees which hang over it. No where to sit, just stroll along the banks. If you keep walking you will eventually get to the Four Season's Chinzan-so ! It was quite beautiful today....

Thanks, my friend...

Ended up just catching a few blossoms at Tokyo Midtown and Roppongi Hills this morning on my way out of country. But I was incredible pleased with the river scene at Meguro (was it Nakameguro?).. anyways... lots of folks there having a great time. Bought a few branches for 300 Yen as well. Makes the ladies happy. ;-)

My favorite sakura in Tokyo are just outside of Shirokanedai station, in the park at the entrance to the University of Tokyo Medical Research Hospital complex. Among the trees is the grandaddy of them all...thing is so huge it has to be at least 100 years old (as is the old brick hospital complex in front of them...vacant for several years, but still standing today)

The complex also has a cheap cafeteria that anybody can eat at. Best under 400 yen curry rice in town!