Mt. Fuji & Sakura 2026: Local Guide’s Forecast for Fujiyoshida (Chureito Pagoda) & Lake Kawaguchiko

2026年2月25日

Hi there! I’m Daichi, a tour coordinator based right here in beautiful Fujiyoshida City (at the foot of Mt.Fuji).

If you’re planning to catch the “postcard view” of Mt. Fuji framed by cherry blossoms, you’ve come to the right place.

The latest WeatherNews forecast (released Feb 25, 2026) is out, and it looks like we’re in for a classic spring. While Tokyo is getting ready to pop quite early, things move a bit differently up here in the highlands.

Here is the breakdown for our area based on the latest data and my local experience.

chureito pagoda january 2026 with bright blue sky — View from Chreito Pagoda Arakurayama Sengen Park (Fujiyoshida City) in February. The cherry blossoms are still in deep sleep, dreaming of their April debut.

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2026 Sakura Forecast: Fujiyoshida & Lake Kawaguchiko

Weather News’s Sakura (Cherry Blossom) Forecast https://weathernews.jp/news/202602/250076/images/?n=001

While the “official” start for Tokyo is March 22, you might notice on the forecast map that Fujiyoshida and Kawaguchiko are shaded in the same color (Pink). However, the reality on the ground is a bit different.

Don’t let the map fool you! Remember that Fujiyoshida and Kawaguchiko sit at a much higher elevation—about 700 to 1000 meters above sea level. Due to our cooler mountain climate, we are almost always 7 to 10 days behind the schedule.

If you’re planning your visit based on the Tokyo dates, you might arrive to find our buds still waking up. For the best experience here, aim for early-mid April!

2026 Prediction of Sakura Bloom in Fujiyoshida and Kawaguchiko

Based on the latest weather data and the altitude of our region, here is the window for the best views:

Opening (Kaika/開花): April 1 – April 4

Full Bloom (Mankai/満開): April 8 – April 15

Important Tip: Please remember that these dates are just a prediction. Cherry blossoms are very sensitive to daily temperature changes. A few days of unexpected heat can speed things up, while a late frost can delay them. I recommend checking back for updates!

Looking Back: What happened in 2025?

arakurayama sengen park, sakura, cherry blossom and mt.fuji

To help you plan, it’s useful to see how last year went. In 2025, the season was slightly later than our current 2026 prediction:

Looking Back: Cherry Blossoms in 2025

Opening (Kaika/開花): April 5 – April 6

Full Bloom (Mankai/満開): April 11 – April 18, 2025.

According to the Fujiyoshida City Official Tourist Guide：https://fujiyoshida.net/feature/sakurakaika/sakurakaika

Why the change? Every year is a balance between winter’s chill and spring’s warmth. Last year stayed cool into early April, while this year (2026), we expect a warmer-than-average March to give the buds an earlier start.

Plan Your Trip with a Local!

Seeing the cherry blossoms at the foot of Mt. Fuji is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Because the timing is so delicate, I’ll be posting live photos and stories of the buds as they grow on my Instagram and Tiktok.

Also, I also offer private tours based at the foot of Mt.Fuji. If you are interested, feel free to contact me!

Happy travels!