Weather agency officially declares start of cherry blossom season in Tokyo

Every year the blossoms come earlier and earlier. Climate change.

been blossoming down here in the Bōsō for a month already.... of course, the trees here aren't 'officially' beautiful, the plum blossoms either.... call me 'philistine' but i enjoy them regardless.... （＾＿－）

I can just imagine the litter that will be left behind at my local park. There's a handy stream there that's perfect for disposing those chuhai and beer cans.

Time to rip out the new lens...... woo hoo......

Thank goodness it's official, I was feeling dirty enjoying them without an official sanction.

Every year the blossoms come earlier and earlier. Climate change.

not climate change just over-eagerness because there isn't anything to celebrate this time of year.

I just saw a commercial for Easter on TV. I have lived here 23 years and never saw that before. Grasping at straws to sell products? They had Christmas trees up before Halloween last year.

Due to the cold winter the plum blossoms were two weeks later than last year in Kansai. I expect the cherry will be a little later to.

Fours days early for blossoms to start in Kansai is the forecast. March 21.

Here is trend for cherry dates compiled by the Economist. It is dramatic the changes occurring as the world warms due to carbon emissions.

https://www.economist.com/blogs/graphicdetail/2017/04/daily-chart-4

From its most recent peak in 1829, when full bloom could be expected to come on April 18th, the typical full-flowering date has drifted earlier and earlier. Since 1970, it has usually landed on April 7th. The cause is little mystery. In deciding when to show their shoots, cherry trees rely on temperatures in February and March. Yasuyuki Aono and Keiko Kazui, two Japanese scientists, have demonstrated that the full-blossom date for Kyoto’s cherry trees can predict March temperatures to within 0.1°C. A warmer planet makes for warmer Marches. The usual full-blooming date in Washington, DC, whose cherry-blossom festival is a relative newcomer (it launched in 1927), has also moved up by five days since the first recorded date in 1921.

The non-Tokyo part of Japan couldn't care less.

the beginning of two weeks in which Tokyo's parks, temple grounds, schools and streets will explode in pinks and whites.

And, be covered in litter and spew from all the binge drinkers. I can appreciate the beauty of the trees, but the cultural phenomenon of taping your blue sheet down days before so you can sit on it and drink until you spew is not so beautiful.

Good time to watch sparrows drinking nectar from Cherry flowers during this season.

And, be covered in litter and spew from all the binge drinkers. I can appreciate the beauty of the trees, but the cultural phenomenon of taping your blue sheet down days before so you can sit on it and drink until you spew is not so beautiful.

Depends where you go. You can stroll around some areas and enjoy the beauty of the blossoms without the louts or choose other areas to sit down and get hammered. I’m more of a sit down and get hammered type if I’m honest about it. Ten minutes of looking at cherry blossoms is about my limit - “Oh, look! Another cherry blossom tree! Fancy that. I wonder what we’ll see further down the street?”

Nothing wrong with blowing off steam now and again. The Japanese need to do this more than most.

I love this time of year, it's always so pretty out, and it's nice after coming out of winter. I also love how the Japanese like to get out and have a good time and let loose. Everyone is happy and positive, and it's a good feeling overall.

"Weather agency officially declares start of cherry blossom season in Tokyo" and what about the rest of the country? why does Tokyo only get the lime light? what about all of the other fantastic parts of Japan?

My plum tree in Kansai is just finishing, my hanging Sakura is in full bloom but my Sakura are still waiting. Different to last year, and I blame weather changes.

Cherry season. Been and gone in Okinawa, a month or so off in Hokkaido.

You're right, @Zichi, Mt. Yoshino is beautiful when the trees are in full bloom. This is my first year in the past five that I haven't been in Japan for sakura, but here in my hometown of Victoria, BC, the local Japanese cultural society is celebrating with an event at our art gallery, which has a reputation for the largest collection of Japanese art outside of Japan. I'll be there, wearing my sakura shirt from Kanazawa, and fondly remembering the invitations I got from the party-goers there, and in Tokyo, Niigata, and Nara. Wish I was there.

Makino in Shiga and Gion in Kyoto and the place where the rivers meet from Kyoto before flopping off to Osaka. Kamogawa in Kyoto is great for my favorite Hanami hobby, bento box watching.

it is the best season in the year. Cherry blossom is magnificent and a piece of art of Mother Nature. We must take care of this beautiful and awesome gift of nature. Greetings to Everyone in Japan.