Sakura 2009 in Tokyo. When?

I've visited the Japan Meteorological Agency website and Googled a lot. I find results from the past and the JMA is still stuck in 2008.

When are sakura due in Ueno-koen this year?? It makes it VERY hard to get plane tix!!

Anyone have any leads? Thanks!

http://weathernews.jp/sakura/simulator/

Click on a date

The map will show you a prediction

(I'm personally hoping it's a little off, blossoms just a few days later in Tokyo than predicted would be smashing)

Rather than trying to predict the exact date the blossoms will be out in Ueno, it may be easier just to plan a trip in early April and then wait until the moment you arrive to find out where the best blossoms are at that exact moment. There's a chance that the trees in Tokyo will be in bloom - but even if they're not, you'll be able to travel to some place within a short train ride to see a fine sakura display. (Actually, it's much nicer to see the sakura rather further from the madding crowds than Ueno park).

im pretty sure sometime around the beginning of April. I arrived April 1st last year and they were already blossomed IMO.

Ah. I should have been more specific.

I'm trying to coordinate my Tokyo visit to the first weekend of cherry blosssoms for a friend's Hanami party. Last year, when I was out there for the A's/Red Sox MLB opener, the flowers bloomed early, Hanami wound up that weekend (instead of the date it was forecast for) and I had to leave the Thursday before. Missed it by TWO DAYS!!! Grrr!

So that's why I'm trying to find a proper window to do this visit in...

Neat! Thanks for this; helpful for planning!

The Japan Meteorological Agency's just released first forecast is given here. So far so good for my plans... *fingers crossed*

Great resource, LapLap!! ^

I think I'm going to barely be able to catch "opening" in Tokyo. What does "opening" mean? Buds with a little color? Or is it reasonably interesting/dramatic for someone who's never seen the real thing in full bloom? (i.e., i'm easily impressed )

"Opening"(開花) is defined as the condition that at least 5-6 blooms are observed at the standard reference tree in each region. Reference tree in Tokyo is in Yasukuni shrine. From mid-March, persons from Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) come to Yasukuni shrine everyday and if they find blooms, they declare "opening" of the year.

You can usually expect a little bit blooms everywhere in Tokyo within three days from the �opening�, 60-70 % blooming within a week, which is reasonably beautiful and I like it better rather than full bloom, and full bloom within 10 days.

But even before the standard Yasukuni shrine tree, of course there should be some trees start to bloom. I remember cherry trees near the front gate of Waseda University have always a few days earlier blooms than most of areas in Tokyo, although there are not impressively many trees there...

Enjoy !

　

Looks like our trip from 16-20 April will come at the end of Sakura.

What would viewing be generally like (Kyoto/Tokyo) at that time?

This would reflect my, up to now, only 'experience' of the sakura season.

Within Tokyo certainly, there'll be very little in the way of 'viewing'. You'll come across the odd rogue cherry tree in bloom, particularly in shady places. There are different varieties of blooms that flower so you should come across some fine examples of these from time to time - but for endless earthbound clouds of pink candyfloss - head North.

What you should be catching is Azalea season.
Tokyo becomes vibrant with pinks and reds. Seemingly every hedge in the city erupts into blistering colour.

For what its worth, a live update: Saw a few trees in bloom in the park next to the Metropolitan Government offices in Shinjuku yesterday, 3/23. But no riot of blossoms yet so far. Heading to Kyoto, where there should be more.

Good luck.

I still have terrific memories of the sakura blossom in 2007.

Sanosuke!

Thanks, tokioblue! I leave tomorrow for Tokyo so your forecast makes me very excited.

Your lunch looks like it was pretty amazing too.