Japan sees early cherry blossoms as temperatures rise

As higher-than-average temperatures are expected in early March in Japan, the Japan Meteorological Corporation has forecasted that the earliest flowering date for cherry blossoms will take place in Tokyo on March 21, with its full bloom on March 29. The Japanese celebrate hanami (“flower viewing”) during the bloom by relaxing, conversing, picnicking, and just enjoying the annual cherry blossom bloom in several parts of the country. Sakura flowers quickly in warmer climates, and one can chase the cherry blossoms from Okinawa in the south as early as January all the way through the Tohoku region to Hokkaido in the north, from late April and extending until most of May. ...read more

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Visitors take a nap under an early-flowering cherry tree at a park in Tokyo, Japan on March 1.(Issei Kato/ Reuters )

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A Keikyu line train moves past Kawazu cherry blossom trees-- one of the earliest blooming cherry blossoms in Japan, in Miura city of Kanagawa Prefecture, on February 27. (Philip Fong / AFP)

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Tourists visit the Kawazu cherry blossom trees, one of the earliest blooming cherry blossoms in Japan, in Miura city of Kanagawa Prefecture, on February 27. ( Philip Fong / AFP)

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Tourists pose under the Kawazu cherry blossom trees, one of the earliest blooming cherry blossoms in Japan, in Miura city of Kanagawa Prefecture, on February 27. (Philip Fong / AFP)

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A Mejiro (Japanese white eye bird) on an early-flowering cherry blossoms in full bloom at a park in Tokyo, Japan on March 1. (Issei Kato / Reuters)

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Visitors take selfies under an early-flowering cherry tree in full bloom at a park in Tokyo, Japan on March 1. (Issei Kato / Reuters)