Cherry Blossoms Arrive Ten Days Early in Tokyo

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) announced that cherry trees in Tokyo began blossoming on March 18, 2004. This was ten days earlier than the average year, and the second earliest since observations began in 1953.

Every year the agency monitors sample trees selected by meteorological observatories and weather stations across the country. Based on this data, the agency forecasts the dates of first blossoming and makes an official announcement when that day occurs in each region. The announcement is made after five or six blossoms have opened on the sample trees in major cities across the country.

Whereas the blossoming date in Tokyo was March 31 for the years 1994 to 1996, it has been getting earlier each year since then. The date was March 21 in 1997 and March 16 in 2002, the earliest date on record.




Posted: 2004/05/28 10:10:56 AM
Japanese version