The Somei Yoshino cherry tree at Yasukuni Shrine is the one sakura tree to rule them all. When five buds on the branches of this ‘sample tree’ have bloomed, the Japan Meteorological Agency will then declare that cherry blossom season has officially started in Tokyo.
【速報】気象庁 東京できょう｢桜の開花｣を発表https://t.co/sQa8dz3AZU
— 日テレNEWS (@news24ntv) March 20, 2022
気象庁は20日午後、東京の桜の開花を発表しました。
午後2時の観測で、千代田区の靖国神社にある桜の標本木に、5輪以上の花が咲いていることが確認され、気象台の職員がその場で「桜の開花」を発表しました。 pic.twitter.com/yMm3T4T6NU
Those five early bloomers were spotted on Sunday March 20, which means the 2022 sakura season is now underway. This year, we are seeing the beloved pink flowers slightly earlier than usual – four days to be exact.
Our walks around town over the last few days have indeed proved that spring is here. The trees along the Meguro River are just beginning to bloom, while those flanking Meiji-dori Avenue (pictured above) closer to Shibuya Stream are now in full bloom. The latter, however, is of a different sakura species, which blooms earlier and has a deeper pink shade.
As a general guideline, it’ll take about a week for the sakura to reach peak bloom, and the petals will start wilting a few days after that. So you can expect the trees around Tokyo to reach full bloom after this coming weekend.
To help you plan your cherry blossom outings across Tokyo, here are the best places and the least crowded places (only relatively, let’s be honest) to admire these gorgeous spring icons. You can also catch the sakura illuminations after dark – they look even more magical all aglow at night.
If you want to go the whole nine yards, treat yourself to these sakura desserts and drinks in town. Or, take a trip out to visit more breathtaking cherry blossom destinations across Japan.
Even if you still prefer to stay home, you don’t have to worry about fomo as you can easily go on a virtual sightseeing tour of the country’s top sakura spots.
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