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Cherry blossoms, with their delicate and pure beauty, have long been a spiritual symbol and the most beloved flower of the Land of the Rising Sun. Every spring, when the delicate petals begin to open, the whole of Japan seems to be draped in a gentle pink cloak, creating a romantic and vibrant scene.
Typically, the cherry blossom season is at its peak from late March to early April. This is also a particularly important time for the Japanese people, as it marks the beginning of a new school year and a new business year. Cherry blossoms not only beautify the natural landscape but also carry profound meanings of new beginnings, hope, and optimism.
Cherry blossoms are Japan's most beloved flower and typically bloom from late March to early April, coinciding with the start of the new school year and the new business year.
Recently, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) officially announced that Tokyo has entered its cherry blossom season. This special event was marked by the first blossoms of the elegant "Somei Yoshino" variety, blooming in the grounds of the sacred Yasukuni Shrine, one of the city's most famous cherry blossom viewing spots. At least six Somei Yoshino cherry blossoms at Yasukuni Shrine, chosen as the benchmark for determining the cherry blossom season in the capital, have appeared, meeting the strict criteria for officially declaring the start of the cherry blossom season. The moment the delicate petals unfurled, revealing their soft pink hues, signaled the beginning of the most anticipated festival of the year.
The capital city of Tokyo has officially entered its vibrant cherry blossom season with the first blossoms appearing.
Somei Yoshino is a unique hybrid variety, combining the beauty of two other famous cherry blossom varieties: Oshima Zakura and Edohigan. This variety was developed by skilled gardeners in Somei Village (now Komagome, Toshima, Tokyo) during the late Edo and early Meiji periods. Initially known as "Yoshino Zakura," it was later renamed "Somei Yoshino" in honor of its birthplace.
According to information from the JMA, this year's cherry blossom peak bloom coincides with the average of previous years and is 5 days earlier than last year, when unusually cold weather caused the season to start later than expected. This indicates that this year's weather is quite favorable for cherry blossom development, promising a spectacular and memorable blooming season.
The private weather service company Weathernews Inc. forecasts that cherry trees in western and eastern Japan will begin to bloom this month.
In Tokyo, temperatures in the capital and many other areas of Japan will be higher than normal on the weekend of March 22nd and 23rd, with some places feeling as warm as mid-May. The announcement of the cherry blossom bloom is based on observations of "standard trees" (also known as "model trees") in each locality by the Japan Meteorological Agency. However, to officially announce the blooming date, certain criteria must be met. Specifically, the blooming date is determined when 5-6 blossoms have opened on a "standard tree." If the number of blossoms has not reached this level, the announcement will be postponed. Similarly, the peak blooming date must also adhere to the criterion of when approximately 80% of the blossoms on the tree have opened. Due to the effects of climate change, there are increasingly more cases of flowers not blooming simultaneously, especially in Kagoshima, where the agency has to include fallen flowers in the total of 80% of the flowers that have bloomed.
The peak blooming period for a cherry blossom tree lasts approximately two weeks, from the time the first buds open until the last petals fall.
Based on past cherry blossom announcements, Kochi is the location with the earliest announcements of blooming nationwide. Kumamoto and Fukuoka rank second, while Tokyo and Kagoshima are in third place. Cherry blossoms don't always bloom in order from south to north; sometimes they can begin blooming in the Kanto region, which includes Tokyo.
Not only Tokyo, but the private weather service company Weathernews Inc. also forecasts that cherry blossoms in western and eastern Japan will begin blooming simultaneously this month. The blossoms are expected to peak in northeastern Japan from early to mid-April and in Hokkaido by the end of April, creating a breathtaking cherry blossom spectacle across the country.
The cherry blossom season is not just a natural phenomenon, but also an integral part of Japanese culture and spiritual life. It's a time for them to set aside their worries, immerse themselves in the beauty of nature, and welcome new and promising beginnings.
