Mealea,
Welcome back,its been awhile. Glad to see you are ok and thanks for your report.

Kristina,
Today's report here from the JG site with pictures and percentages of buds opening.

http://www.japan-guide.com/blog/saku...402_tokyo.html

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2011.html

If all holds true the peak will be 7 days from now and last another 4-7 after that so you will see cherry blossoms in Tokyo in two weeks. Unless of course a storm comes along and blows them all away....or sleet like what happened to us up in Kakunodate one year. The updated Tokyo weather is calling for clear days till the 9th which will help in the opening of the flowers. The ninth and tenth call for showers so depending how much wind and rain is involved you will have blossoms.......I hope ;)
Tokyo is a large city and its east side usually blooms before the west side. Shinjuku Gyoen is my favorite spot on the west end with Ueno Park and Chidorigafuchi are our favs in the east end. Have a great hanami!

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3050.html

Aloha!

Hi Hawaiiantraveler. Nice to see you again too!

Today was really cold in Tokyo, so they say the blossoms won't fully open until Friday or Saturday. I recommend that everyone visit the beautiful Happo-en Gardens in Tokyo. I was just there this morning and saw many Shinto and western wedding ceremonies under the early blossoms. Very beautiful. Let me know if you need more information about anything in Tokyo.

kanazawan, you gotta believe,lol. peak is right now in Tokyo, wish we were there.

http://www.japan-guide.com/blog/saku...411_tokyo.html

Aloha!

We were in Kyoto on Sunday (10 April) and saw the cherry blossoms at their peak at Kodaiji Temple, Maruyama Park, Yasaka Shrine, Gion, and Heian Jingu. A beautiful array, but very few tourists to enjoy them.

The mountain cherry blossoms are just opening in Hakone and should be in full bloom over the next week.

Mara,

Planning for a fall trip to Nagasaki and from there on to Kumamoto. How did you plan to go from Nagasaki to Kumamoto, by which private rail line? Just trying to cover my options as we will be flying into Nagasaki from Shanghai and starting there. Want to avoid a JR Pass till I need it.

Aloha!

ht, I know of three ways to do it - why don't you email me - to my screen name add b1 (it the number one not an el) at hotmail dot com....