Tokyo cherry blossom season

Earlier on April 4, the JMA confirmed that the Somei Yoshino cherry tree at Yasukuni Shrine had entered full bloom, 13 days later than last year and four days later than the annual average. A staff member from the JMA regional headquarters inspected the Somei Yoshino cherry tree used as a reference at Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward around 2 p.m. on April 4 and confirmed that about 80 percent or more were in full bloom, the threshold for declaring full bloom in Tokyo. The temperature in central Tokyo reached 19.9 degrees Celsius that day, 2.5 degrees Celsius higher than average.

The first flowers began blooming in Tokyo on March 29, five days later than usual. This year’s cherry blossom season in the capital is the latest in about a decade. However, it took just six days for the flowers to reach their peak, one day less than average. Temperatures were low in February and March when the buds were developing, but unusually high temperatures over the weekend have accelerated the blooming period, the JMA said.

The cherry tree at Yasukuni Shrine has been used as Tokyo's standard tree since 1966. It is one of 58 designated model trees across Japan. The cherry tree at Tokyo's Yasukuni Shrine is the 13th confirmed to be in full bloom.

In recent years, cherry blossoms in Tokyo have started blooming early and are in full bloom in March. The last time cherry blossoms in Tokyo were not in bloom by April was 7 years ago. After a recent unusual cold spell, temperatures in Tokyo rose to nearly 20 degrees Celsius on April 4.

According to WeatherNews Inc., a private weather information company, many areas in eastern and western Japan have also forecasted the best time to see cherry blossoms this weekend. Tourists and locals have flocked to Tokyo's top cherry blossom viewing spots since April 4. In the capital, a series of famous cherry blossom viewing spots are crowded with people such as Chidorigafuchi Park, the park near Yasukuni Shrine, Naka Meguro River...

Traditionally, the cherry blossom season also marks the start of the new financial year in Japan. According to Japanese beliefs, cherry blossoms symbolize joy and beauty, which will help people have a good start in the coming year.

Katsuhiro Miyamoto, professor emeritus at Kansai University, estimates the economic impact of the cherry blossom season in Japan, from tourism to parties held under the blossoms, will reach about 1.1 trillion yen this year, up from 616 billion yen last year.