Tokyo sakura arrived early
Cherry blossoms hit Tokyo five days earlier than usual — first blooms were recorded on March 19, accelerating hanami plans across the city. ( ). The Imperial Palace street is open for the spring viewing — a rare public access event held only twice a year — making this a prime weekend to catch blooms in the heart of Tokyo. (japantimes.co.jp).
Tokyo’s meteorological office formally marked the season’s start on March 19, noting open blooms in the capital and triggering updated forecasts from local agencies. (asahi.com) Forecasters now project full bloom for central Tokyo in the latter half of next week, with several outlets putting peak dates around March 25–27 if warm conditions persist. (ndtv.com) Inui Street at the Imperial Palace opened to the public on March 21 and will remain accessible through March 29, offering a controlled 750‑meter stroll lined with roughly 99–100 cherry trees. (nippon.com) The twice‑yearly Inui Street opening was introduced in 2014 and is timed to coincide with spring sakura and autumn foliage, with visitors entering via Sakashita Gate and exiting at Inui Gate. (nippon.com) Forecasts and local reports note variation across the region: some early‑bloom varieties are already halfway open while nearby areas remain several days behind Tokyo’s schedule. (japannews.yomiuri.co.jp) Access details published by the Imperial Household and press outlets list daily opening hours for the Inui Street spring walk as 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. through March 29. (nippon.com)
