Japan’s official cherry blossom observers announced the start of the festive season in Tokyo as the first cherry blossoms bloomed. The Japan Meteorological Agency confirmed the blooming of the Somei Yoshino variety tree at Yasukuni Shrine, with more than five blossoms present, meeting the criteria for the official declaration.
This year’s blooming schedule matched the average timing and was five days earlier compared to last year, according to the JMA. Cherry blossoms, known as “sakura,” are highly cherished in Japan and typically peak from late March to early April, coinciding with the beginning of the new school and business year. Many people in Japan delight in strolling or having picnics under these iconic trees.
Sakura trees have been deeply intertwined with Japanese culture for centuries, often featured in poetry and literature. Their delicate nature symbolizes themes of life, death, and rebirth. The recent announcement in Tokyo, with temperatures hovering around 19°C, followed the confirmation of the first cherry blossom blooming in Kochi, Shikoku, the day before.
The JMA monitors over 50 benchmark cherry trees nationwide, with the blooming period lasting approximately two weeks from bud emergence to petals falling. The peak bloom is predicted to occur in about 10 days. The sensitivity of cherry trees to temperature variations makes their blooming cycle valuable for climate change research.
In recent times, Japan has observed a trend of earlier cherry blossom seasons, raising concerns about the potential impact of climate change on these beloved flowers. The timing of cherry blossoms’ blooming serves as an important indicator of environmental shifts.
