2026 Cherry Blossoms Bloom in Nara, Japan’s Ancient Capital

The Yomiuri Shimbun

16:36 JST, March 25, 2026

NARA — Someiyoshino cherry blossoms have begun blooming in Nara City, four days earlier than the average year and last year, the Nara Local Meteorological Office announced Tuesday.

An official of the meteorological office confirmed five flowers had bloomed on the sample tree in the grounds of Nara Women’s University Secondary School in the city as of about 2 p.m.

Nara, popular among tourists for its ancient temples and free-roaming deer, was Japan’s capital for most of the eighth century.