Japan has officially declared the start of the cherry blossom viewing season after Kochi and Gifu prefectures in the west of the country reported the first blooming cherry blossoms of the year.
Officials from the Kochi Meteorological Office inspected a "sample tree" near Kochi Castle and found six cherry blossoms in bloom. According to criteria, the season officially begins when more than five blossoms are observed.
Shinobu Imoto, an official from the Kochi Meteorological Office, told Japan's TBS television that reduced rainfall from November to January, along with longer periods of sunlight, may have stimulated the cherry trees to bloom earlier than usual.
Typically, Japan’s cherry blossoms reach full bloom from late March to early April, coinciding with the start of the new academic year and the new fiscal year for businesses.
Source:Japantimes
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