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Japan's northernmost island of Hokkaido will welcome the cherry blossoms later this week with the cherry trees forecast to begin flowering in the southern city of Hakodate on April 26.

According to the Hokkaido Region Cherry Blossom Forecast released by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), cherry trees are expected to start flowering earlier than usual this year.

This is due to average and higher than average temperatures in the island’s various regions at the end of March and the strong possibility of average or higher than average temperatures in the days ahead.

In addition to the Somei Yoshino (Yoshino Cherry) variety of cherry tree - the most popular variety in Japan but not widespread in Hokkaido - the JMA forecast included flowering dates for the Ezoyamazakura and Chishimazakura varieties which are common in northern Japan.

Cherry trees are forecast to flower in Sapporo on May 1 and in the eastern Hokkaido city of Abashiri on May 9, both four days earlier than usual, then in the northern city of Wakkanai on May 13, three days earlier than usual.

The Japanese celebrate the cherry blossom season with picnic style parties, known as Hanami parties, under the flowering cherry trees in public and private gardens, and parklands across Japan.

In Hokkaido these picnic style parties are unique in that they typically include feasting on a Genghis Khan barbecue and drinking beer.

Southern Hokkaido’s Matsumae Park is one of the recommended spots for viewing the blossoms, being the only spot in Hokkaido to be listed as one of the traditional Hundred Famous Places for Cherry Blossoms in Japan.

Matsumae Park, within which Hokkaido’s only castle stands, is the last and northernmost of these traditional famous places for cherry blossoms and is home to 10,000 cherry trees of 250 varieties.

The slightly different blooming times of the cherry tree varieties at the park means that the cherry blossom season is exceptionally long, lasting up to a few weeks.

Visitors to Matsumae Park can utilize the special Matsumae Sakura Twinkle Bus service which runs between Hakodate and Matsumae.

Additionally, to coincide with the cherry blossom season, the Hakodate-Onuma Steam Locomotive will operate daily round trip excursions from Hakodate via Onuma Quasi-National Park and the scenic Mount Komaga from April 29 through May 6. The Japan Rail Pass and Hokkaido Rail Pass are both valid for travel on this train.