The Japan Meteorological Agency declared Tokyo's cherry blossom season open after the sample Somei Yoshino tree at Yasukuni Shrine showed at least five flowers; officials counted 61 open blossoms. The bloom arrived five days earlier than the long-term average of March 24, following warmer-than-usual temperatures since mid-February. The JMA noted the earliest recorded arrival is March 14, observed in 2020, 2021 and 2023. Spectators said the blossoms brought a sense of hope amid global tensions.
Tokyo's Dazzling Cherry Blossom Season Begins Early as Officials Count 61 Blooms
The cherry season for Tokyo starts when the official sample tree at Yasukuni Shrine opens at least five flowers (Kazuhiro NOGI)(Kazuhiro NOGI/AFP/AFP)
Tokyo's meteorological authorities on Thursday formally declared the start of the city's beloved cherry blossom season after the official sample tree at Yasukuni Shrine reached the threshold for bloom.
How the Season Is Declared
The Japan Meteorological Agency's (JMA) Tokyo Regional Headquarters announces the start of the season when the designated Somei Yoshino sample tree shows at least five open flowers. To mark the occasion, two suit-clad JMA officials inspected the tree in front of dozens of onlookers and national media, ultimately counting 61 open blossoms and confirming the declaration.
Early Blooming Driven by Warm Weather
The JMA said this year's flowering arrived five days earlier than the long-term average date of March 24, a shift the agency attributed to warmer-than-usual temperatures in Tokyo since mid-February. The earliest recorded bloom date in the city is March 14, which occurred in 2020, 2021 and 2023.
“It's something that happens every year, but with the situation in Iran right now... the world is in turmoil, and with spring having come, I really hope that peace will come again,” said Taira Toru, a 30-year-old public official watching at Yasukuni Shrine.
As residents begin planning hanami picnics beneath the blooming branches, the early arrival of the Somei Yoshino blossoms is being welcomed as a bright, seasonal marker that draws people outdoors and adds a note of optimism to daily life.
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