Japan’s cherry blossom season begins as first blooms appear in Tokyo
For centuries, sakura have shaped Japanese culture, frequently appearing in poetry and literature as a poignant emblem of life’s fleeting nature, mortality, and renewal.

Japan's cherry blossom experts on Monday (Mar 24) officially confirmed the initial blooming of the nation's beloved flower, marking the start of the joyous season in Tokyo.
A Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) official closely inspected the Somei Yoshino specimen tree at Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, declaring that it bore more than five blossoms—the minimum threshold for the announcement.
According to the JMA, this year's bloom aligns with the average and is five days ahead of last year's schedule.
Known as "sakura," cherry blossoms are Japan’s cherished flower, typically reaching full bloom from late March to early April, coinciding with the beginning of the new academic and business year. Many locals celebrate by strolling or picnicking beneath the blooming trees.

For centuries, sakura have shaped Japanese culture, frequently appearing in poetry and literature as a poignant emblem of life’s fleeting nature, mortality, and renewal.
Tokyo’s announcement follows unusually warm weather, with temperatures hovering around 19°C (66°F). Just a day earlier, on Sunday, the season’s first cherry blossom was confirmed in Kochi, a southwestern city on Shikoku Island.
The JMA monitors over 50 "benchmark" cherry trees nationwide. These trees typically bloom for about two weeks, from the first buds to the final petals falling, with their peak expected in roughly 10 days.
Sensitive to temperature shifts, cherry trees offer critical insights into climate change research. In recent years, Japan’s cherry blossom season has trended earlier than historical averages, raising questions about the potential effects of global warming.