In Sapporo (Hokkaido), cherry blossoms typically start blooming around May 1 and reach full bloom around May 6, based on the Japan Meteorological Agency's 1991–2020 normals.
Typical first bloom
May 1
Typical full bloom
May 6
Typical viewing window
May 1 – May 13 (petals usually stay about a week after full bloom)
Earliest first bloom on record
April 15 (2023)
Latest first bloom on record
May 14 (1980)
2025 first bloom
April 23
2025 full bloom
April 27
Over the last 10 years, first bloom has come about 11 days earlier than the 1961–1990 average.
Bloom dates by year
Sapporo: cherry blossom dates, 1953–2025
● First bloom▲ Full bloom┄ 1991–2020 normal
Recent years
Year
First bloom
Full bloom
2025
Apr 23
Apr 27
2024
Apr 18
Apr 24
2023
Apr 15
Apr 21
2022
Apr 23
Apr 25
2021
Apr 22
Apr 27
2020
Apr 30
May 2
2019
Apr 24
Apr 29
2018
Apr 26
Apr 29
2017
Apr 28
May 3
2016
Apr 25
May 1
2015
Apr 22
Apr 26
2014
Apr 29
May 1
2013
May 13
May 17
2012
May 1
May 2
2011
May 7
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