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The early-flowering variety Okame-Sakura in Tokyo was already in full bloom on March 17th
Photo: picture alliance / dpa / Jiji Press
At around 2 p.m. on Good Friday, Tokyo Meteorological Office staff discovered at least five open blossoms on the branches of a Somei Yoshino cherry tree on the grounds of Yasukuni Shrine. According to the Japanese newspaper "Yomiuri Shimbun", the cherry blossom season has officially opened, two weeks later than in 2023. The weather office confirmed this with a post on the X platform.
Although early-flowering cherry varieties are already in full bloom in Tokyo, the official sakura season only begins with the flowering of the widespread Somei Yoshino variety, which is characterized by very pale pink, almost white petals.
All 47 Japanese prefectures have a reference tree. When it has a handful of open flowers, the season is considered open. The trees in Tokyo should be fully bloomed in about a week. The cherry blossom season - a peak of tourism - is eagerly awaited every year in Japan. Meteorologists try to predict the start as accurately as possible. The weather office in Tokyo had expected the first flowers ten days ago.
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