The Meteorological Agency said on Tuesday that a tree at Yasukuni Shrine in central Tokyo produced 5 flowers. The Somei Yoshino is the most popular and widely-planted variety.
The agency announces the start of the annual cherry blossom season in Tokyo when 5 or more flowers bloom on the shrine’s benchmark cherry tree.
The blooming came on the same day as last year, and 5 days earlier than average. It’s the first time in 9 years Tokyo’s Somei Yoshino blossoms have bloomed earlier than in the rest of Japan.
The agency said warm temperatures over the past few days in the capital are likely to have helped.
A weather company said on Monday that cherry blossoms are expected on Friday in Fukuoka City, western Japan, April 1st in Kyoto City, and April 25th in Aomori City, northern Japan.
Source and image: NHK
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