2026 Cherry Blossom Forecast

Cherry blossom forecasts are highly anticipated and essential for planning a trip to see sakura. Below are the estimated first and full bloom dates for Gunma’s most popular cherry blossom spots:

1. Maebashi: First bloom on March 25; full bloom on April 2
2. Tatebayashi: First bloom on March 22; full bloom on March 31
3. Obata: First bloom on March 29; full bloom on April 5
4. Akagi: First bloom on April 2; full bloom on April 9
5. Minakami: First bloom on April 10; full bloom on April 16

Ref: https://s.n-kishou.co.jp/w/sp/sakura/sakura_yosou?ba=10
(Last updated: March 5, 2026.)

The cherry blossom forecast provides two dates: the first bloom and the full bloom. The first bloom is when five to six flowers appear on a single tree; a tree reaches full bloom when over 80 percent of its flowers have opened. This often gives the tree a cloud-like appearance.

Gunma’s sakura tend to begin blooming in the urban areas in the south first and then in the more mountainous regions in the north. To see sakura at their most picturesque, planning around the peak viewing window—typically the five to seven days following the estimated full bloom date—is highly recommended.

Fluctuations in temperature can accelerate or delay the blooming process, so plan a flexible itinerary that allows for these natural shifts. Cherry blossoms typically bloom for about a week, but heavy rain and winds can sweep petals away in a few days.

A wide variety of sakura trees grow in Gunma, including Fuyuzakura, Yamazakura, Yaezakura, and Someiyoshino.

Fuyuzakura are rare and hardy sakura trees with pale pink flowers that bloom twice a year: once in winter and again in spring.

Yamazakura are native to the mountain slopes. They produce leaves at the same time as flowers, lending the trees a softer, more textured silhouette.

Someiyoshino are the most common variety of sakura trees in Japan. Their flowers have the classic five-petal sakura shape.

Yaezakura trees bear flowers with more petals, giving the blooming tree a voluminous appearance. This variety is famous for blossoming periods that are later than average.

The species of tree and its location influence when flowers will bloom. Trees in the north and at higher altitudes typically bloom later in spring than their counterparts in the south or in valleys.

The best places for sakura viewing are often expansive parks, riverbanks, and temples that can host hundreds—if not thousands—of trees and spectacular views.

Sakurayama Park, located in Fujioka in the hills of Gunma, is famous for its Fuyuzakura and Someiyoshino trees. Approximately 10,000 trees—the majority of which are Fuyuzakura—blossom during the sakura season, with the park typically reaching its peak from early to mid-April. A cherry blossom festival is held on weekends, with stage performances and food stalls.

At the base of Byakue Dai-Kannon, a landmark of the city of Takasaki, are hundreds of Someiyoshino and Yamazakura trees. The white 41.8-meter-tall statue seems to float amid a sea of pink during full bloom. Someiyoshino usually peak from late March to early April, followed by Yamazakura that continue blooming into late April. An ascent of the 146 steps inside the Kannon provides sweeping views of Takasaki’s sakura-filled landscape.

Five thousand sakura trees bloom at Sakura no Sato, in the foothills of Mt. Myogi. The 47-hectare park in Shimonita is home to Someiyoshino and various varieties of Yaezakura, with blossoms typically appearing from early April through early May. The blossoms offer a soft yet vibrant contrast to the rocky mountains behind them. The striking landscape makes Sakura no Sato a popular photography destination.

Suwakyo Gorge, located in the mountains of Minakami, is renowned for its summer adventures but offers a different charm in spring. Someiyoshino and Yaezakura trees line the banks of the Tone River, their blossoms creating a canopy over the walking paths. The view of sakura across the gorge is especially striking from Sasabue Bridge, where the flowers frame the dramatic mountain landscape. Blossoms here typically reach their best from early to mid-April.

Sakura season in Gunma is often punctuated by festivals and other seasonal events, all of which take place at or near areas with cherry blossoms.

Akagi Nanmen Senbonzakura in Maebashi is home to one of Japan’s most popular cherry blossom viewing locations. The Akagi Nanmen Senbonzakura Cherry Blossom Festival, held from April 4 to 19, takes place in the expansive park on the southern side of Mt. Akagi, where over one kilometer of city roads is lined with Someiyoshino trees. The blossoms are typically forecast to begin blooming around April 1, with full bloom expected around April 8. Beyond the sakura trees, yellow rapeseed blossoms create a colorful contrast.

The Castle Town Obata Cherry Blossom Festival, held on April 5, offers a unique appeal for history enthusiasts. The season is celebrated with townspeople parading along the Someiyoshino tree-lined streets of the historic neighborhood wearing period costumes.

The Tatebayashi Cherry Blossom Festival, held from March 20 to April 8, combines an exhibition of Tatebayashi’s renowned colorful koinobori carp streamers above the Tsuruuda River with blooming Someiyoshino sakura on the riverbanks. Walking paths along the river provide a unique opportunity to capture cherry blossoms and koinobori streamers in a single image.

Some seasonal celebrations continue well after sunset. In recent years, evening illuminations have transformed Gunma’s cherry blossom spots into nighttime attractions. Locations such as the Byakue Dai-Kannon and Akagi Nanmen Senbonzakura are particularly popular, where lanterns and spotlights cast a glow on the blossoms, reflecting off nearby moats and monuments.

Combining a cherry blossom trip with a soak in one of Gunma’s vibrant onsen towns is the ultimate way to make the most of the sakura season. Consider renting a car for the greatest flexibility when exploring the prefecture.

Maebashi is an ideal base for exploring Akagi Nanmen Senbonzakura, one of Gunma's most famous cherry blossom viewing spots. Because heavy traffic is expected during the bloom period, an early morning visit is recommended. The road along the southern slopes of Mt. Akagi is lined with thousands of cherry trees, which are typically at their best around mid-April. Round out the trip with a day (or two) in Ikaho Onsen, also usually at its most scenic around mid-April when nearby cherry blossoms reach their peak.

Shima Onsen, north of Nakanojo in northern Gunma, offers a quieter hot spring retreat. This area provides ample hot spring opportunities, including the ryokan said to have inspired scenes in Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away, alongside multiple peaceful cherry blossom spots to appreciate the season. Nearby Iwai Shinsui Park, located in Higashiagatsuma, is known for daffodil fields that bloom alongside sakura trees in early to mid-April, creating a pink and yellow landscape. More spring flowers can be seen at Nakanojo Gardens, about a 15-minute drive away, where blossoms are typically at their best in mid-April. Cherry blossoms within Shima Onsen itself usually reach their peak in late April.

Venture deeper into the mountains to Minakami Onsen, an outdoor playground for nature enthusiasts. The area offers everything from whitewater rafting to serene hiking trails. Around Takara River, near Takaragawa Onsen, mountain cherry trees typically bloom in late April around the hot spring resorts and forested valleys. Earlier in the season, around mid-April, cherry blossoms can be enjoyed at Suwakyo Gorge and at Yaze Shinsui Park. Suwakyo Gorge is about a 30-minute drive from Takaragawa Onsen, where the Tone River flows beneath sakura-lined slopes and walking paths.

Kusatsu Onsen is a must-visit hot spring town, home to one of Japan’s most storied hot springs and traditions. After strolling around the famous yubatake, head toward Kusatsu Undojaya Park Roadside Station, located at the entrance to the Kusatsu hot spring area. Here, Oyamazakura typically bloom from late April to early May, set against a backdrop of the mountains and buildings designed to evoke a traditional German town.

For those hoping for a quiet trip off the beaten path, Isobe Onsen provides a secluded sanctuary away from the main tourist routes. After a restorative soak in the town's mineral baths, a short journey leads to the Byakue Dai-Kannon in nearby Takasaki. This pairing offers a chance to appreciate the blossoms in a setting far from the sakura viewing crowds.

Seeing sakura in full bloom is not the only way to celebrate spring in Gunma. After their peak bloom, cherry blossom petals fall like snow—a spectacle considered just as, if not more, beautiful.

Spring marks the height of the harvest for yayoihime strawberries, a signature Gunma variety prized for exceptional sweetness. Many farms across the prefecture open their doors for strawberry-picking experiences, allowing visitors to taste these vibrant fruits at their freshest.

While the season often brings clear skies, occasional rain offers a chance to pivot toward Gunma’s indoor attractions. Inclement weather provides the perfect opportunity to retreat to a soothing onsen, an experience that remains available throughout the seasons.