Fukuoka cherry blossoms: Flowering dates and viewing locations

Compare normal flowering and full-bloom dates with recent official observations in Fukuoka, and find five cherry blossom locations plus reference details for the 2026 festival.

Last checked:

  • Fukuoka
  • Cherry blossoms
  • Shrines, temples and parks

This page is updated every year at the same address. Please note the last checked date.

Cherry blossoms in Fukuoka usually open in late March and reach full bloom around early April. This page uses observations from the Japan Meteorological Agency’s Fukuoka District Meteorological Observatory, along with cherry blossom locations introduced by Fukuoka City’s tourism website. The same URL is updated each year. For more information, see the Fukuoka travel guide.

Key points

  • Somei Yoshino in Fukuoka: normal flowering date 22 March; normal full-bloom date 31 March.
  • In 2026, flowering began 24 March and full bloom was recorded 3 April.
  • Cherry blossom locations are listed below; most are at their best from late March to early April.
  • The 2027 flowering forecast has not yet been announced. This page will be updated when it is available.

Flowering dates: normal values and recent actual records

The following are Fukuoka District Meteorological Observatory observations of Somei Yoshino cherries. The normals are 30-year averages from 1991 to 2020.

First flowering Full bloom
Normal 22 March 31 March
2026 24 March 3 April
2025 25 March 28 March
Earliest on record 12 March (2021) 22 March (2021)
Latest on record 6 April (1962) 10 April (1984)
  • The observatory records a specimen tree; actual bloom conditions vary between parks.
  • Actual dates shift each year. Check the latest flowering reports before travelling.

2027 information

Item Details
Flowering forecast Not yet announced
First flowering and full bloom dates Not yet announced
Fukuoka Castle Sakura Festival 2027 Not yet announced

Cherry blossom locations in Fukuoka

The following are introduced by Fukuoka City’s official tourism website:

Location Features Typical viewing period Approximate cherry trees
Maizuru Park () Fukuoka Castle and Korokan ruins, with stone walls and cherry blossoms; the annual Fukuoka Castle Sakura Festival includes night illumination Late March to early April About 1,000
Nishi Park () Central location; the only park in Fukuoka Prefecture among Japan’s 100 famous cherry blossom spots; 3 observation terraces overlook Hakata Bay Late March to early April About 1,300
ABURAYAMA FUKUOKA () On the slopes of Mount Abura, about 40 minutes by car from Hakata Station; centred on a flower and tree garden Late March to early April About 2,000
Atago Shrine () One of Fukuoka’s oldest shrines (officially described as founded in AD 72); hilltop city views, several cherry varieties and a longer flowering period; night illumination Late March to mid-April About 2,000
Minami Park () Contains Fukuoka City Zoo and Botanical Garden; the flower-viewing square can be used for picnic-style blossom viewing Early March to late April About 1,000

Fukuoka Castle Sakura Festival 2026 (reference)

Official information for the 2026 event at Maizuru Park:

  • Period: 25 March to 5 April (later extended to 8 April), 11:00 to 22:00.
  • Three illuminated cherry blossom areas (Sakura Garden, Tamon Turret and former Otakaya residence site): combined ticket 1,500 yen; free for high school students and younger.
  • Fukuoka Castle and Korokan Festival: 29 March, 10:30 to 15:00.
  • Event programmes and dates differ by year. Information for 2027 has not yet been announced.

Getting there

  • Maizuru Park and Nishi Park: accessible by city subway; see the Fukuoka transport guide.
  • ABURAYAMA FUKUOKA: the official description gives about 40 minutes by car from Hakata Station; other transport is not covered here.
  • Dazaifu Tenmangu also has cherry blossoms in spring. See Dazaifu day trip.

Further reading

Sources