We realize this is very last minute but the Japan Weather Association has only just released its forecasts for this year’s cherry blossoms (sakura). The yearly spectacle will begin in Kyushu prefecture (home to Nagasaki and Fukuoka) on Mar 23, then travel up north to Tokyo on Mar 27. Kyoto blooms on Mar 28 and the blossoming continues into early May in Hokkaido. Plan your trip in advance as packages and deals will be a little pricier during this period. Updates and details at http://tiny.cc/sakura2011.