Sakura season starts in Japan

Kōfu in Yamanashi logged its earliest-ever flowering since records began in 1953 — the observatory reported the onset was nine days earlier than last year and ten days ahead of the long-term average. (bernama.com) Gifu’s local observatory said this year’s opening tied its earliest recorded date (matching 1989, 2021 and 2023), while Kochi has now been the first prefecture to report blooms three years running, according to The Asahi Shimbun. (asahi.com) Official forecasts project Tokyo to reach full bloom on March 27, Kyoto on April 1 (local prefecture guides give April 1–2), and Osaka on March 31, based on Japan Meteorological Corporation and local forecast summaries. (explorejapannow.com) Forecasters say the “sakura front” is moving earlier than average across much of Japan this spring, with parts of eastern Japan tracking nearly a week ahead of normal in the March updates. (explorejapannow.com) Travel advisories and tourism hubs note full bloom typically lasts only seven to ten days, so they recommend targeting early mornings or weekdays to avoid the biggest crowds at hotspots such as Shinjuku Gyoen and Kyoto’s Philosopher’s Path. (timeout.com) Meteorological officials attributed the early pace in places like Kochi to lower-than-usual winter rainfall and prolonged sunshine, and some local forecasts expect full bloom in the earliest cities within about a week of first flowers being seen. (bernama.com) Local communities and travel outlets have reported rising complaints about litter and noise at viral hanami photo spots, and prefectural guides are promoting off-the-beaten-path viewing locations and etiquette reminders to ease overtourism pressure. (independent.co.uk)