Sakura season begins in Tokyo as cherry blossoms come early

Tokyo has declared the start of cherry blossom season, known as sakura. The announcement came after 61 blossoms were counted on a sample official tree at Yasukuni Shrine on March 19, 2026, drawing crowds of locals and tourists to enjoy the pink flower. Japan’s weather agency says the blossoms arrived five days earlier than the seasonal average of March 24, after weeks of warmer-than-usual weather in the capital, giving visitors a head start on one of Japan’s most cherished spring traditions.