In Abashiri (Hokkaido), cherry blossoms typically start blooming around May 10 and reach full bloom around May 13, based on the Japan Meteorological Agency's 1991–2020 normals.
Note: in recent years, the official observations here use a different cherry variety than Somei-yoshino (for example, Taiwan cherry in Okinawa and Amami, or Sargent cherry in parts of Hokkaido). Dates are not directly comparable with Tokyo or Kyoto.
Typical first bloom
May 10
Typical full bloom
May 13
Typical viewing window
May 10 – May 20 (petals usually stay about a week after full bloom)
Earliest first bloom on record
April 27 (2022)
Latest first bloom on record
May 25 (2013)
2025 first bloom
May 8
2025 full bloom
May 10
Over the last 10 years, first bloom has come about 9 days earlier than the 1961–1990 average.
Bloom dates by year
Abashiri: cherry blossom dates, 1953–2025
● First bloom▲ Full bloom┄ 1991–2020 normal
Recent years
Year
First bloom
Full bloom
2025
May 8
May 10
2024
Apr 28
Apr 30
2023
Apr 28
May 1
2022
Apr 27
Apr 30
2021
May 6
May 7
2020
May 7
May 9
2019
May 5
May 7
2018
May 2
May 6
2017
May 5
May 7
2016
May 8
May 10
2015
Apr 30
May 3
2014
May 7
May 11
2013
May 25
May 27
2012
May 3
May 5
2011
May 16
May 18
Planning a trip?
Bloom dates move by a week or more from year to year. Use the trip planner to see which cities had blossoms out on your travel dates in each of the last 30 years.
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency phenological observations (processed by Japan Bloom Calendar). These are historical records and averages, not a forecast. About the data