Warm winter has a big impact！ Tokyo cherry blossoms estimated to bloom early on March 18 and reach full bloom on March 28

▲ Cherry blossoms at Tokyo’s Yasukuni Shrine. (Photo / from the official website of Yasukuni Shrine)

Reporter Chen Ruizhong / Comprehensive report

Due to climate factors, Japan's cherry blossom season may start earlier this year. According to the website weathemap, Tokyo's cherry blossoms are predicted to bloom on March 18 this year and are expected to reach full bloom on March 28.

▲ 2016 Tokyo cherry blossom front. (Photo / taken from the sakura.weathermap website)

In 2015, Tokyo’s cherry blossoms bloomed on March 23 and reached full bloom on March 29. The average blooming date over the past 10 years was also March 23. This year’s blooming date is five days earlier. The estimated period for cherry blossom viewing is from March 18 to April 3. Weathemap stated that the warm winter is the main reason why cherry blossoms in the Kanto region are blooming earlier than usual this year.