Kavey

The first cherry blossom forecasts are out!

http://www.japan-guide.com/sakura/
http://japantraveladvice.com/japan-c...forecast-2016/

russ_in_LA

Looks on track for peak blooms about the same dates as when we were there last year. Have a great trip! Can't wait to hear all about it when you get back.

MinnBeef

Very helpful-thank you Kavey. I am targerting Sakura 2017 for my second trip to Japan. Looking forward to reading your eventual trip report.

kuranosuke

unless my maka(s) were playing tricks, i saw cherry blossoms on a tree just outside of fussa as i rode a bus to tokyo. i also saw another tree about 1/4 bloom. perhaps it might have been mistaken identity, but they sure looked like sakura to me. i'm waiting for the sakura guru to post his most accurate forecast.

filmwill

At Haneda now and about to depart after a week-long work trip and can confirm that sakura is already starting to bloom. Stayed at the Prince Sakura Tower and the manager made a point when I arrived of walking me to the garden to show the unusual sight. Nothing major, but still seems extremely off to have bloom this early.

stephlin

I saw 3 cherry trees in Tokyo with full blossoms in Inokashira Park in Kichijoji, Tokyo this weekend! It might be in earlier than before.

BostonHarbor

I'm arriving Tokyo on March 31 through April 12, so I'm very happy the forecasts look as if blooming will be at the "average pace" Even here in Boston there are some tulips peaking out of the ground, but they will have a harsh reminder of winter by Thursday. It will probably be the same for the early cherry blossoms.

I have a question (I should probably start a new thread, but filmwill (or others), maybe you might know if you see this)

I am going to Tokyo for photography for the Sakura season. I have only been to Tokyo as a "stopover" in the past. Those of you who know me, know I'm a photographer. I have set up arrangements will photographers and models (standard young women models and Maiko/Geiko models). I have been told that a small gift is appropriate for those with whom you spend time. Would those of you who have been to Japan give me some ideas for these small gifts? For the local photographers, I thought a small book of my photography. I'll post as it's own question if this gets buried : )

Thanks!

Kavey

Here in the UK (or in London, at any rate) we've been seeing a lot of trees come into blossom early, during the last few weeks, because we've had some unseasonally mild days, but a cold snap has hit back and I suspect those in bloom will drop their blossom fairly soon. Whether they can manage to push out more when it's actually season is another question - I think this kind of early blossom can knock out their fruiting for the year?

hawaiiantraveler

kuranosuke, where you been? As you know cherry blossom season comes early in Japan during an El Nino period to areas that are in contact with the warm currents now circulating the Pacific. The town of Kawazu on the Izu Peninsula holds their cherry blossom festivals sometimes as early as late January. The blossoms have already peaked this year in Kawazu on 2/16/16 only 90 miles or so south east of Tokyo. The warm Pacific waters and the warm Japan current this El Nino year have brought with it breaths of warm air towards Tokyo causing the early blossoms of a few trees. You have seen the real blossoming and know that it doesn't just happen to a few trees

The Japan Meteorological forecast is for a March 25 opening in Tokyo and I called a March 22 opening a few months ago so we will see.

Aloha!

kuranosuke

howzit brah, last time we shared a chopin ginger, you mentioned that your predictions would be forthcoming. mahalo for the update.

minamax10

apparently, there a lot of different varieties of sakura trees. and depending on the kind of the tree, they bloom earlier or later in the season. I think right now it's the Kawazuzakura that's in bloom.

BostonHarbor

Just a quick, very late post, and a thanks for everyone's help. I was astoundingly fortunate and caught cherry blossoms in every city I went to (Tokyo, Hiroshima, Miyajima, Himeji, and Kyoto) exactly at peak. Pure luck, no more no less. It was fabulous fun and I captured some great images. I was fortunate to be able to hire a Maiko for an afternoon in a shinto shrine which was so perfect.

Thanks again for everyone's help on this thread and others.

If you are interested, here are images I posted in a Facebook album (public). https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...1&l=df2136ecd2

Kavey

Lovely photos Patricia!