Cherry blossom season in Japan comes 5 days early

Cherry blossoms in Japan bloomed 5 days early in 2025. This phenomenon may be due to climate change.

The first cherry blossoms at Yasukuni Shrine, Tokyo, Japan have bloomed, marking the cherry blossom season of 2025 - Photo: ASAHI

On the afternoon of March 24, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) recorded the first six flower buds blooming at the Somei-Yoshino cherry blossom tree (a unique hybrid, combining the beauty of two other famous cherry blossom varieties, Oshima Zakura and Edohigan) at Yasukuni Shrine, Tokyo, Japan, marking the "land of the rising sun" officially entering the cherry blossom season in 2025.

The Somei-Yoshino cherry tree in Yasukuni has long been regarded as a model tree or “forecaster” of cherry blossom season. Experts and locals alike often rely on the time the tree blooms to mark the start of the cherry blossom season.

Compared to 2024, this year's cherry blossom season opens five days earlier due to warmer weather.

Climate officials in Tokyo announced on March 24 that the average temperature in the Japanese capital fell to around 19 degrees Celsius, slightly warmer than normal.

Some places in Japan even recorded temperatures of up to 25 degrees Celsius, equivalent to the average temperature in summer.

JMA predicts high humidity and warmer temperatures will promote blooming.

According to the JMA, Somei-Yoshino cherry trees are expected to bloom across Tokyo in about a week. Cherry trees typically bloom for about two weeks each year.

Cherry blossoms are sensitive to changes in temperature. The timing of their blooms can provide researchers with important data about climate change.

In recent years, the cherry blossom season in Japan has often come earlier than usual, raising concerns that climate change is increasingly affecting the environment and nature.

Cherry blossoms (or sakura in Japanese) are the most beloved flowers in the "land of the rising sun", usually blooming from late March to early April.

Cherry blossoms have a profound influence on Japanese culture, poetry, and literature. Dressed in a gentle, fresh yet fragile pink or white coat, cherry blossoms are considered a symbol of life, death, and rebirth.

This year's cherry blossom season is expected to bring an economic impact of about 1.39 trillion yen ($9 billion) to Japan - the highest in the country's history.

UYEN PHUONG

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/mua-hoa-anh-dao-o-nhat-ban-den-som-5-ngay-20250329094746848.htm