Japan-loving S’poreans, here’s the 2018 cherry blossom forecast

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Belmont Lay | January 05, 2018, 03:06 PM

Sakura season is here again.

From south to north

Every year, Japan’s cherry blossoms first appear in February or March in southern Japan, Okinawa, before moving northwards to Hokkaido by early May.

They can start blooming as early as January, such as this year.

The blooming of bright cherry blossoms, otherwise known as sakura, coincides with spring.

Even though the blossoming follows an upward shift from the south to the north of the archipelago, cherry blossoms in different parts of the city peak at different times.

Natural factors such as weather and unprecedented rainfall play a role.

Month-long sakura

Kawazu, located in Izu Peninsula, is home a to unique variety of sakura that blooms in the beginning of February.

The cherry blossoms, called Kawazuzakura, last for about a month, compared to the usual sakura that blooms and wilts within one to two weeks.

And it’s no big secret that Singaporeans love travelling to Japan.

Statistics from Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO) recorded 190,900 travellers from Singapore to Japan between January to August 2016.

During the December peak period, the number was 75,900, a 13 percent increase from 2015.

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Here is a forecast of cherry blossoms in Japan in 2018:

Okinawa: Mid-January

Best spots: Nago Castle Park, Nakijin Castle, Yogi Park

Tokyo: March 29 to April 4

Best spots: Ueno Onshi Park, Shinjuku Gyoen, Sumida Park, Koganei Park, Inokashira Park, Yoyogi Park

Fukuoka: March 31 to April 7

Best spots: San Hou Park, Fukuoka Castle, Atago Shrine, Uminonakamichi Seaside Park, Nishi Park

Hiroshima: April 4 to 10

Best spots: Hiroshima Peace Park, Hiroshima Castle, Shukkeien Garden

Kyoto: April 5 to 11

Best spots: Maruyama Park, Philosopher’s Path, Kyoto Gosho, Shirakawa, Arashiyama, Daigoji Temple

Osaka: April 5 to 11

Best spots: Kema Sakuranomiya Park, Osaka Mint Bureau, Osaka Castle Park

Nara: April 6 to 12

Best spots: Nara Park, Mount Yoshino, Koriyama Castle Park

Kobe: April 7 to 13

Best spots: Gokoku Shrine, Egeyama Park

Fukushima: April 8 to 14

Best spots: Miharu Shidarezakura, Kasumiga Castle Park, Hanamiyama Park

Aomori: Late April

Best spots: Ashino National Park, Hirosaki Park

Hokkaido: April 29 to May 4

Best spots: Hakodate’s Goryokaku, Matsumae Castle, Odori Park, Moerenuma Park