Tokyo announces cherry blossom blooming season begins in 2014

By / MOOK Scenic Spots Travel Life Network, compiled and translated by Zhang Yingying

On March 25, Japan’s Meteorological Agency officially announced that “cherry blossoms have bloomed!” in central Tokyo. Each year, the agency dispatches personnel to observe the blooming condition of Somei Yoshino cherry blossoms at Yasukuni Shrine in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, using these as standard observation trees. Upon reaching five blossoms open (a "five-ring" bloom), they officially announce this year’s (Heisei 26) blooming declaration.

This year’s cherry blossom blooming came nine days later than last year and about one day later than the average blooming period. When the official blooming was announced, on-site crowds applauded, marking the arrival of the peak cherry blossom viewing season. It is currently estimated that around March 31, the cherry blossoms will be in full bloom, allowing visitors to Tokyo during this period to enjoy a spectacular sight of fully bloomed cherry trees.

In addition, the city that declared cherry blossom blooming earliest across all of Japan this year was Kochi City in Kochi Prefecture, announced by the Kochi Local Meteorological Observatory on March 25. The standard tree in Osaka City is a 43-year-old cherry tree located in the Nishinomaru Garden of Osaka Castle Park. Intensive observations began on March 18, with observations conducted once in the morning and once in the afternoon each day. Observers also noted that the responsibility of confirming whether the cherry blossoms have bloomed is quite significant, reflecting the high importance Japanese people place on the cherry blossom season. Observation of standard trees in various regions has recently entered a period of close monitoring.

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