In Asahikawa (Hokkaido), cherry blossoms typically start blooming around May 4 and reach full bloom around May 7, 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 4
Typical full bloom
May 7
Typical viewing window
May 4 – May 14 (petals usually stay about a week after full bloom)
Earliest first bloom on record
April 23 (2008)
Latest first bloom on record
May 18 (2013)
2025 first bloom
April 30
2025 full bloom
May 2
Over the last 10 years, first bloom has come about 8 days earlier than the 1961–1990 average.
Bloom dates by year
Asahikawa: cherry blossom dates, 1953–2025
● First bloom▲ Full bloom┄ 1991–2020 normal
Recent years
Year
First bloom
Full bloom
2025
Apr 30
May 2
2024
Apr 24
Apr 26
2023
Apr 25
Apr 28
2022
Apr 26
Apr 28
2021
Apr 29
May 3
2020
May 3
May 4
2019
May 1
May 4
2018
Apr 30
May 1
2017
May 3
May 5
2016
May 3
May 4
2015
Apr 27
Apr 28
2014
May 2
May 4
2013
May 18
May 20
2012
May 2
May 2
2011
May 9
May 12
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