Every year, millions of tourists flock to Japan's Tokyo to witness cherry blossoms in all of their glory. Typically, cherry blossoms in Japan reach their peak season between the end of March and the beginning of April. However, this year, the iconic blossoms appeared ten days earlier than usual.
On Tuesday, the Japan Meteorological Agency announced that cherry blossoms in Tokyo have begun blooming, Japan Times reported. According to the weather agency, more than five blossoms were seen from Somei-Yoshino cherry blossom trees at Yasukuni Shrine in the capital. The blossoms are expected to be in full bloom within the next week, the weather agency said.
Experts say the early start is the result of unusually warm weather, which is being fuelled by climate change.
''Today, on March 14, we hereby declare the sakura blossoming in Tokyo. We've seen many warm days in March, climate change may also have played a part,'' an official from the Japan Meteorological Agency said, in an announcement.
Meanwhile, social media users shared beautiful pictures and videos of the cherry blossom season.
See some pictures and videos here:
Cherry blossom season is almost here! One of the most iconic spots to admire the stunning sakura is the Kintaikyo Bridge in Yamaguchi Prefecture #Japan #travel
— Japan Australia (@Japan_Australia) March 14, 2023
📌 Iwakuni, Yamaguchi Prefecture
📸 Photo by Visit Japan International pic.twitter.com/vGsGqUB0HB
Got incredibly lucky & our first full day in Japan we were able to wander around a not so crowded park with cherry blossoms that bloomed early 🌸
— Kayla Glover (@_KaylaGlover) March 14, 2023
Just an absolutely beautiful experience pic.twitter.com/TpmnyrTP5s
桜の開花宣言が響き渡った、2023年の東京
— Takuya (@TakuyaAkahoshi) March 14, 2023
Cherry Blossom Blossom Declaration in Tokyo today! pic.twitter.com/6H76DRl1N2
Last day in japan and i finally found an early blooming cherry blossom tree!! 🥹🌸 pic.twitter.com/KjjFuLFx2u
— kelly sees taylor glendale 3/17, 3/18!! (@xmastreefarm13) March 14, 2023
cherry blossom season has begun in japan 🥰 pic.twitter.com/eiioviLhCD
— Laura (@lauraporat) March 14, 2023
Cherry blossoms, sunny days, and a picnic mat. Hanami (花見) season has arrived in Japan! 🏯
— ANGO (@Angojp) March 14, 2023
A tradition dating back to the Nara period (710~794)
A time for people to sit back, relax, and enjoy some pink petals with your favorite drink🌸🌞🍹 #Hanami #CherryBlossoms #Sakura pic.twitter.com/go0I1WH8aF
Cherry blossom 2023 in Tenri city, Nara prefecture#CherryBlossom #Japan #NaturePhotography pic.twitter.com/hWxbSoXIwI
— Tanuki.no.mori (@Tanukinomori_JP) March 14, 2023
Night Cherry Blossom at Shinsho Temple, Hachioji, Tokyo Japan 🇯🇵 Early Spring. pic.twitter.com/cRNL84oJBP
— Jim ☺️🇮🇳 (@jishnu0605) March 10, 2023
👣🌸THE SAKURA COMETH🌸🤳
— Camellia Tea Ceremony (@camelliakyoto) March 14, 2023
And we have lift off🚀
Tōkyō has officially entered cherry blossom season, with the flowering of the benchmark tree in the grounds of Yasukuni-jinja.
Tied with 2020 & 2021, it is the earliest start to sakura season on record😓#sakura #cherryblossoms pic.twitter.com/5rCn7B2lYo
Early blooming cherry blossom and Tokyo Sky Tree and Full moon pic.twitter.com/eomVT8rBcd
— joker1007 (アルフォートおじさん) (@joker1007) March 7, 2023
The blooms are traditionally celebrated with hanami, or viewing parties, with picnics organised beneath the trees. However, the public and visitors were asked to refrain from having park hanami parties in the springs of 2020, 2021, and 2022. This year, though, the Tokyo government has allowed the return of cherry blossom parties to some of the city's most popular sakura spots.
While the sakura season is underway in Tokyo, Kyoto's and Osaka's blossoms are predicted to begin flowering on March 22 and 23, respectively.
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