In DC, the National Park Service predicts the peak cherry blossom bloom time. Does anyone know when they're forecast to bloom in Kyoto?

according to the latest forecast around 3/31 in Kyoto.

http://digbig.com/4rtpw

Keep checking the site as it is updated every Wednesday

Aloha!

WOW! Thank you so much...I'm thrilled...we should at least be there to see them in bloom.

We will be travelling in late March. Pardon my ignorance, but is it best to visit just prior to bloom (3/31) or after 3/31? Is there a window of a few weeks or is it a very short period of beauty?

In 2005 the forecast was like for 2007: blossom bloom around 31 march. We were very unhappy that we have to travel in middle of April, so, it will be too late. However, in all the places Tokyo, kyoto, Osaka, the sakura was at maximum! It was so nice and we were so lucky!
You can not be sure, the forecast is not 100% sure. You have to hope that you will be lucky. If this will not happen, just enjoy the sightseeings in japan and the very nice people there.

The best time, the peak bloom, is a few days after the blossoming.

ht gave this webpage on another thread: http://digbig.com/4rsxm

I didn't see it in the key to the map but I believe that the bold dates are the peak bloom dates and the un-bold (earlier) dates below are the initial bloom dates.

So, the day before the peak, the peak, and a day or two after the peak day would be prime time. I THINK they last for a week after the peak.

We will actually be in Tokyo in late March, so according to the charts, we'll be running late. We are thinking of spending a couple days in Hakone so perhaps we could enjoy the later bloom there. Any particular spots that anyone recomends for a later bloom (around 3/30 or 3/31) that would be near Tokyo?

Also, my wife would really like to view some beautiful gardens. Can anyone recommend favorite spots in or around Tokyo? We are open to a day trip outside of the city as we do not plan to spend all of our time in Tokyo.

And one off topic question.. we love street food and have enjoyed great experiences in other countries. We plan to visit the fish market, but are there any open air markets or areas in or near Tokyo where we might be able to sample a wide variety of food in this type of setting?

updated forecast issued today

http://digbig.com/4rsxm

Aloha!

Looks like I'll be in Kyoto for peak! Last time, we were a little too early.

That's quite a shift earlier in dates.

ronjrich, jnto mentions two Tokyo gardens on this webpage:
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/i...s/castles.html
The other gardens listed there are not close to Tokyo.

laurieco, I am happy for you! I caught the end of the blooms in Kyoto last year and it was wonderful, esp. after missing it completely in 2005.

all this planning, and we might just miss it

oh well, maybe we will see some fake ones in the izakaya, while sipping sake.

ronjrich,

My favourite garden in Tokyo is Rikugien. Slightly out of the way, but very serene and large traditional Japanese gardens. Also love Hamarikyu along the bay. Shinjuku Gyoen Park is good for picnics, also cherry trees. Not strictly a park, but like the promnade toward Meiji Shrine, esp quiet time early in the morning.
For cherry blossoms, can't beat the moat around the palace, esp near Yasukuni Shrine. The street near British Embassy gets mobbed with cherry-viewers (?). Go toward the dusk for that special ambience. Another good cherry blossom spot is an area right behind Roppongi Ark Hills.

Thank you for all of the recommendations. We are looking forward to our trip!

Aloha from Tokyo,

Just a short note to say that we arrived today in Tokyo and hit the peak of the Cherry blossoms. They are blooming everywhere from our drive from Narita into Tokyo.

We just returned from the park behind our hotel, the Century Hyatt in Shinjuku where the locals were all celebrating Hanami with sake, beer and lots of food.

Lots of people in all Tokyo's parks today, Sunday April 1st as the bloom is in full splendor. What an experience!

So glad that we were lucky enough to have seen it after all the planning.

I wonder if kuranosuke is doing his dance today .

Aloha!

That's wonderful, happy that the timing turned out right. Your post ave me chills, sounds great!

i did my dance at shinjuku park yesterday, a most beautiful day for viewing the sakura in full bloom, with temperatures in the low 70s, on a bright sunny spring day.

viewing the sakura at ueno and shinjuku park are different experiences. i like both.

if you want to have a hanami, then shinjuku park is the place as it opens at 9am, and you have a running chance to get a good spot. at ueno, you must go very very early on sat or sun, or even camp out on friday nite to get a good spot. i think alot of companies task their rookies with the responsibility to get a good spot for the sacho(boss).

hope tomorrow will still be a good day for one last viewing down by the imperial palace.

yes bill, went to sushizanmai twice already. still good as ever. think we might have some yakitori tonite with some yoshinogawa

for ht, you can buy yoshinogawa at matsuya dept store, next to mistukoshi in the ginza.

We've just arrived in Tokyo today and plan on viewing the blossoms tomorrow. Hopefully they will still be there! We had peak in Kamakura and they were spectacular. Looking forward to the same here. The blossoms were not yet at peak in Kyoto when we left there on March 30. Some trees had them, but nothing like the spectacle in Kamakura.