Hello,
I will be in Kyoto from March 27 to 31. I read Sakura is expected on March 27 there this year. I also read somewhere that full bloom and best views are expected one week after the beginning. ...
My questions are the following : will I have the opportunity to have nice views on the very first days or is it too soon ? Also, where should I go in Kyoto to have the best views of sakura ?
I am planning to go to Nara too from Kyoto. Does Sakura arrive earlier or later than in Kyoto ?
Thanks for any tips on this.

You can check the links given on this post : http://www.secret-japan.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=101
At the bottom, there are 4 links of web sites that give the hanami previsions for all Japan.

Anyway, the period you are talking about is probably perfect: it is best to see the cherry blossom immediately when it start. The trees are getting completely white surprisingly fast (usually in 48-72 hours), but if you wait and there is some rain, then many flowers will be washed away - and from that point, it is really not as interesting.

Finally, Kyoto and Nara are very close and have similar climat, I would say that hanami period should be the same. But I can not confirm that.

sanji

Thank you for your answer Sanji and for reminding me of the links about hanami.
You reassured me, I can sleep tight now ;-)
I hope to tell you more about it when I am back !