Japan has officially marked the start of its cherry blossom season, with the first blooms confirmed in three cities, government observers said Monday.
Officials from the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) verified the flowering of the Somei Yoshino variety at designated benchmark trees in Kochi in the southwest, and Gifu and Yamanashi in central Japan, after at least five blossoms were observed on each tree — the threshold for declaring the season open.
Kochi recorded the earliest bloom for the third consecutive year, arriving six days ahead of the average, while Gifu and Yamanashi saw blossoms nine days earlier than usual, according to the JMA.
Shinobu Imoto of the Kochi Meteorological Agency attributed the early flowering to lower winter rainfall and extended sunshine hours.
Cherry blossoms, known as “sakura,” typically peak between late March and early April, coinciding with the beginning of Japan’s academic and business year. During this period, people gather under the blooming trees for walks and picnics.
However, in recent years, popular viewing spots have faced issues such as littering and noise due to overtourism.
Sakura have remained a central symbol in Japanese culture for centuries.