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"Sakura" is the Japanese word for "cherry blossom". The first forecast is updated at midnight (EST) on March 2nd by the Meteorological Agency, Japan. This forecast will be updated every Wednesday at midnight (EST) until the end of the season.  "Hanami" is the Japanese culture of going to visit parks and enjoying the blossoming flowers.

*Sakura's peak blooming varies a week after indicated date because of changing global weather.

2008 Hanami Venue and Sakura Schedule

{Prefectures in alphabetical order}

Kakunodate Bukeyashiki (Akita)
Access JR Akita Shinkansen, to Kakkunodate Station
Full Bloom April 10
Website  http://www.akitafan.com/language/en/index.html

Nishi Park (Fukuoka)
Access From JR Kagoshima Line to Hakata Station
Full Bloom March 26 
Website http://www.fukuoka-tourism.net/e/index.html

Kenrokuen (Ishikawa) 
Access From JR Kanazawa Station, approximately 20 minute bus ride
Full Bloom April 6
Website http://www.city.kanazawa.ishikawa.jp/index_e.html

Kotodan Park (Kagawa)
Access From JR Yosan Line to Kannonji Station
Full Bloom March 29
Website http://www.21kagawa.com/visitor/kangei/kagawa.htm

Daigo Temple (Kyoto)
Access From Subway, Tozai Line to Daigo Station, approximately 10 minute walk
Full Bloom April 2
Website http://raku.city.kyoto.jp/sight_e.phtml

Tsuruoka Park (Okayama)
Access From JR Tsuyama Line to Tsuyama Station
Full Bloom April 2
Website http://www.pref.okayama.jp/kikaku/kokusai/momo/e/

Omiya Park (Saitama)
Access From JR Omiya Station, approximately 20 minute walk
Full Bloom March 30
Website http://www.sainokuni-kanko.jp/english/index.html

Nikko Kaiko Sakuranamiki (Tochigi)
Access From JT Tohoku Line to Tohoku Shinkansen Utsunomiya Station
Approximately 30 minutes by bus
Full Bloom April 4
Website http://www.city.nikko.lg.jp/kankou/shaji/english/main.htm

Chidori-ga-fuchi (Tokyo) 
Access From Kudanshita Station, about a 5 minute walk
Hanzo-mon, To-sai, Toei Shinjuku Lines
Full Bloom March 24
Website http://www.tourism.metro.tokyo.jp/english/menu_taberu.html 

Ueno Park (Tokyo)
Access Near JR Ueno Station (JR, Hibiya, Ginza Lines)
Full Bloom March 24
Website http://www.tourism.metro.tokyo.jp/english/menu_taberu.html

2008 Cherry Blossom Tour Packages Are Available!
ANA Vacation's Cherry Blossom Tour
IACE Travel : The Samurai Banner of Furin Kazan Tour
JALPAK : FLEX JAPAN + SPLIT STAY
Kintetsu - "Ichiban" #1 Package
Pleasant Holidays: Cherry Blossom Festival Tour
Travel Oriented Inc: Japan Deluxe Tour Highlight 7 Days

Spring 2008's Sakura Blossoming Dates And Japan Map (Excluding Hokkaido)
The below numbers are dates. (E.g. 3.25 converts to March 25th)