Warm temperatures caused the cherry blossom front to move up the Japanese archipelago at a record-breaking pace this year. The trees reached full bloom in Hakodate on April 24 and in Sapporo on April 26, almost two weeks earlier than average. While our annual reporting of the seasonal spectacle will end on April 30 in Sapporo, the cherry blossoms will continue to delight hanami-goers in more eastern and northern areas of Hokkaido and higher elevations of northeastern Japan for a couple more weeks.
Below are the actual and forecast dates of cherry trees opening their blossoms this year (according to the Japan Weather Association, except Yoshino which is according to Yoshino Town) and the estimated best viewing periods (estimated by japan-guide.com based on the aforementioned forecasts). Rain, wind and temperatures can have a strong effect on the process of the season, for example, they can accelerate, delay or shorten it considerably. Use the forecasts on your own risk.