When do cherry blossoms bloom in Hokkaido?
On average, cherry blossoms in Hokkaido (北海道) first open around 6 May and reach full bloom around 10 May. The best viewing is usually the week that follows — roughly to 17 May.
First bloom
6 May
Full bloom
10 May
Average bloom window
By observation station
Hokkaido has 8 JMA sample-tree stations. The prefecture figure above is the average of their individual normals.
- Wakkanai 稚内First bloom ~13 May · Full bloom ~16 May
- Asahikawa 旭川First bloom ~4 May · Full bloom ~7 May
- Abashiri 網走First bloom ~10 May · Full bloom ~13 May
- Sapporo 札幌First bloom ~1 May · Full bloom ~6 May
- Obihiro 帯広First bloom ~2 May · Full bloom ~5 May
- Kushiro 釧路First bloom ~16 May · Full bloom ~19 May
- Muroran 室蘭First bloom ~4 May · Full bloom ~9 May
- Hakodate 函館First bloom ~28 April · Full bloom ~2 May
Based on Japan Meteorological Agency 1991–2020 climatological normals for the Yoshino cherry (Somei-Yoshino). Averaged across 8 stations spanning a 2–3 week north–south spread, so no single spot in Hokkaido matches this date closely.
Cherry variety: Somei-Yoshino (Yoshino cherry). Figures come from Japan Meteorological Agency observations over 1991–2020. These are long-term averages, not a forecast — actual bloom dates vary year to year with the weather and can shift a week or more in either direction.
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (気象庁). Not affiliated with or endorsed by the JMA.