Cherry blossom spotters from Japan’s government announced Monday the first blooming of the country’s favorite flower in three cities, marking the official start of the sakura season.
Japan Meteorological Agency officials inspected benchmark trees of the Somei Yoshino variety in Kochi, Gifu and Yamanashi and declared that the trees met the requirement for the announcement after finding more than five flowers on each tree.
The JMA said the tree in Kochi blossomed first for the third year in a row and did so six days earlier than the average year.
The JMA also said the benchmark trees in Gifu and Yamanashi were nine days earlier than the average year.
Shinobu Imoto, from the Kochi Meteorological Agency, told TBS television that low rainfall during the winter and longer hours of sunshine might have helped the early blooming.
Cherry blossoms usually reach their peak in late March to early April, when many Japanese mark the start of a new school and business year by walking or picnicking under the trees.
In recent years, communities near popular cherry blossom viewing venues have also complained about littering, noise and other issues tied to overtourism.
Sakura have influenced Japanese culture for centuries.