The following is a guide to some popular cherry blossom-viewing spots in Tokyo and the Kansai region:

According to the Meteorological Agency's latest forecast, the "someiyoshino" cherry tree, the most common and popular variety in Japan, will start blooming as usual in much of the mainland this year.

In Tokyo, Yokohama and Nagoya, however, the "sakura" cherry trees are expected to begin opening on March 26, two days earlier than average.

Hiroshima and Takamatsu will see their sakura awaken on March 29, while Osaka will see them March 30, Fukuoka on March 27, Kagoshima on April 1 and Niigata on April 11, according to Wednesday's forecast.

If searching for a place for a "hanami" (blossom-viewing) party, the first thing to consider is whether to join in the festive atmosphere of crowded viewing venues, or seek out more peace and quiet.

For those who don't mind the crowds, central Tokyo offers many choices.

* The Chidorigafuchi sidewalk: The walkway along the Imperial Palace is definitely one of the best places to get a gorgeous view of sakura.

At night the view is particularly spectacular, as 129 cherry trees are illuminated with a soft white light, creating a beautiful contrast with the dark, quiet water in the moat. It's a little less crowded at night. The trees will be illuminated from March 28 to April 6, with lights out at 10 p.m. every day.

* Yasukuni Shrine: Not far from Chidorigafuchi, this venue is also known for its beautiful sakura trees, plus several night food stalls for the season.

Central Tokyo meanwhile offers relatively quieter viewing sites, including several parks, where visitors can indulge themselves for a small fee (usually several hundred yen). Alcohol, however, is prohibited in many of these places.

* Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden: This popular park is a 10-minute walk from JR Shinjuku Station.

* Rikugien: This Bunkyo Ward park offers large open spaces for families.

If you want to relax in a wide-open space with your family in suburban Tokyo, Showa Kinen Park in Tachikawa, western Tokyo, and Hikarigaoka Park in Nerima Ward, are recommended.

Both are very popular spots for families with kids and boast hundreds of cherry trees among huge open lawns.

Probably the most famous sakura-viewing event in Osaka is the "torinuke" (going through) viewing at the head office of the Japan Mint, the government-affiliated body that makes the nation's coins.

For a week in April, the Japan Mint in Kita Ward, the heart of Osaka, opens its gates to sakura lovers eager to see the famous trees inside the compound.

The crowds are so huge — numbering 700,000 to 800,000 each season — that they are asked to "go through" the compound along a one-way, 560-meter path to the other side. Most of the sakura there are "yaezakura" varieties, which start blooming later than someiyoshino. This year, the compound is open to the public from April 16 to 22, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends.

Kyoto also boasts many random clusters of sakura trees, which draw tourists to the ancient capital every spring.

The more famous places are the Arashiyama area in Ukyo Ward, which boasts around 1,500 sakura, and the Tetsugaku No Michi (Path of Philosophy) in eastern Kyoto. Kiyomizu Temple is another popular spot and is famous for having 1,000 or so sakura illuminated at night.