Quick answer (updated November 2026): No official 2027 cherry blossom forecast has been released yet. On average, blossoms open in Tokyo on March 24, Kyoto on March 26, Osaka on March 27, and in Korea in Busan on March 28, Jinhae on March 29 and Seoul on April 8. In 2026 they came early: Tokyo on March 19 and Seoul on March 29. Plan around late March to early April 2027, and confirm when the first forecasts appear (Japan from mid December to January, Korea in late February).
I am Phan The Anh, a Vietnamese travel blogger. In Vietnam we only have a brief bloom of wild Himalayan cherry around Tết in Da Lat, so a whole city turning pink in Japan or Korea is a dream trip for many of my readers. The hard part is the date. Blossoms can open more than ten days earlier than average, and one rainy, windy day can end the peak.
So instead of guessing, this guide uses the average bloom dates and the actual 2026 dates published by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) and the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA). From those, I outline a likely 2027 window for each city. I will update this page when the official 2027 forecasts are released.
Cherry blossom 2027 at a glance: Japan and Korea
| City | Average first bloom | 2026 first bloom / full bloom | Likely 2027 window (my estimate) | Top spots |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fukuoka | Mar 22 | Mar 24 / Apr 3 | Late March to early April | Maizuru Park |
| Tokyo | Mar 24 | Mar 19 / Mar 28 | Late March, full bloom around end of March | Ueno Park, Chidorigafuchi, Meguro River |
| Kyoto | Mar 26 | Mar 23 / Mar 30 | Late March to early April | Maruyama Park, Philosopher’s Path |
| Osaka | Mar 27 | Mar 26 / Apr 3 | Late March to early April | Osaka Castle Park |
| Fukushima | Apr 7 | Mar 29 / Apr 3 | Early to mid April | Hanamiyama Park, Tsuruga Castle |
| Sapporo | May 1 | Apr 18 / Apr 24 | Late April to early May | Maruyama Park |
| Jeju (Seogwipo) | Mar 24 | Late March | Late March to early April | Jeonnong-ro, Noksan-ro |
| Busan | Mar 28 | Late March | Late March to early April | Namcheon-dong, Dalmaji-gil |
| Jinhae (Changwon) | Mar 29 | Opened around Mar 24 / Yeojwacheon full Apr 3 | Late March to early April | Yeojwacheon, Gyeonghwa Station |
| Seoul | Apr 8 | Mar 29 / Yeouido full around Apr 1 | End of March to mid April | Yeouido Yunjung-ro, Seokchon Lake |
When will the 2027 forecasts be released?
- Japan: last season, Japan Meteorological Corporation released its first 2026 outlook in mid December 2025, and Weathernews published its first forecast on January 8, 2026. Weathernews says its next season page goes live in February 2027.
- Korea: private forecaster Weather-i released its cherry blossom outlook on February 26, 2026. The official bloom date is then announced by KMA from its observation trees.
- This page: I will replace my estimates with the official numbers as soon as they are out.
Japan cherry blossom 2027 by region
Tokyo is the benchmark. The average first bloom is March 24 and full bloom March 31. In 2026 Tokyo opened on March 19, five days early, and reached full bloom on March 28. Kyoto and Osaka usually follow within a few days. Fukuoka is normally the earliest of these cities, but in 2026 it was later than Tokyo, a good reminder that every year is different.
If you miss the peak in Tokyo, head north. Fukushima averages April 7 and Sapporo May 1, so the bloom keeps moving for another month. I traveled Fukushima in autumn and loved it. In spring, Hanamiyama Park and Tsuruga Castle are the classic spots.
Korea cherry blossom 2027 by region
Korea’s season starts in Jeju and the south coast in late March, then reaches Seoul in early April. In 2026 the Jinhae Gunhangje festival ran from March 27 to April 5, and Yeojwacheon stream reached full bloom on April 3. Seoul opened on March 29, ten days earlier than average, and Yeouido’s Yunjung-ro was in full bloom around April 1. The 2027 festival dates were not announced as of November 2026.
Want an earlier bloom? Try Taiwan
Taiwan’s cherry season runs from January to March, earlier than Japan and Korea. I photographed the blossoms at Wuling Farm. See my Taiwan cherry blossom guide for spots and timing.
Planning tips for a 2027 cherry blossom trip
- Book flexible fares. Forecasts arrive late, and 2026 showed blooms can come 10 days early.
- Follow the cherry front. Late March for Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Fukuoka, Busan and Jinhae; early April for Seoul and Fukushima; late April to May for Hokkaido.
- Go early on weekdays. Festival weekends are the most crowded.
- Keep a spare day. Spring rain and wind shorten the peak.
- Check entry rules. Visa and pre-registration rules differ by passport and can change.
For a winter trip before the blossoms, see Japan in winter 2026/27.
Cherry blossom 2027 FAQ
When is cherry blossom season in Japan in 2027?
No official 2027 forecast yet. On average Tokyo blooms on March 24, Kyoto March 26 and Osaka March 27, with full bloom about a week later. Plan for late March to early April.
When do cherry blossoms bloom in Seoul in 2027?
Seoul’s average first bloom is April 8. In 2026 it opened on March 29. Plan for the end of March to mid April and confirm with the late February forecast.
When is the Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival 2027?
Dates were not announced as of November 2026. In 2026 the festival ran from March 27 to April 5.
When will the 2027 cherry blossom forecast be released?
Based on last season, Japan’s first forecasts appear from mid December to early January, and Korea’s in late February.
Where do cherry blossoms bloom first?
In Japan, Fukuoka and Tokyo usually open first among the major cities. In Korea, Jeju opens first, around March 24 on average.
Sources
- Japan Meteorological Agency: first bloom dates
- Japan Meteorological Agency: full bloom dates
- Korea Meteorological Administration: Seoul cherry blossom 2026
- Weather-i: Korea cherry blossom outlook 2026
- Weathernews: cherry blossom forecast page
✍️ Written by Phan The Anh, a well-known Vietnamese travel blogger (travel blogger Vietnam), PhD in marketing and founder of VoyageBlogger.com. Follow me on YouTube @ThayGiaoAnh, Instagram @lecturer.anh and TikTok @phantheanh88.
