The Significance of Cherry Blossoms

Is it truly a representation of Japan if cherry blossoms (桜; sakura) aren't part of the picture? These iconic flowers symbolize the nation and have been cherished since the Heian period, making cherry blossom viewing (花見; hanami) a beloved pastime. Various strains of cherry trees bloom at different times throughout spring, with Somei-yoshino being the most celebrated variety, known for its quick blooming cycle of just two years.

Not only is hanami a delightful way to enjoy the season, but it also significantly contributes to the economy. Experts estimate that cherry blossoms will generate over USD $7.5 billion as people flock to view them in their full glory (満開; mankai). Retailers are also getting involved, with many offering special cherry blossom-themed products, including the unique "sakura pizza" from Domino's Japan.

Weather Woes and Delayed Blooms

Unfortunately, this year, Japan has experienced unpredictable weather, leading to a delay in cherry blossom blooming across multiple regions. The cause? Colder-than-anticipated temperatures. Typically, the cherry blossoms thrive as the weather warms, but this March has seen a surprising cold spell, with several days reminiscent of winter, particularly in eastern Japan, which has also faced heavy rains and strong winds.

Consequently, the renowned Somei-yoshino trees have decided to hold off on their blooms for the time being. In Tokyo, the Japan Meteorological Agency officially declares the start of blooming by assessing six "standard-bearer trees" (標本木; hyouhonboku) at Yasukuni Shrine. As of March 28th, only five of these trees had shown signs of blooming, indicating that we are still waiting for the blossoms to make their appearance.

In 2023, the blooming commenced on March 15th, reaching full bloom by March 20th. This year marks the first time in over a decade that the blossoms have been so delayed.

Impact on Cherry Blossom Festivals

The late blooming has left organizers of cherry blossom festivals in a predicament. These events usually serve as significant economic boosts for local businesses, featuring food and merchandise stalls in popular viewing locations. However, a viewing party without blossoms is hardly a celebration.

Some festival organizers are opting to postpone their events. For instance, in Saitama Prefecture, the town of Ina has moved its Sakura Matsuri from March 25th to April 4th. Other festivals, like the Nakameguro Sakura Matsuri in Tokyo, have continued as planned but faced disappointing outcomes, marking what may be the first time in 38 years that the festival commenced before the blossoms had bloomed.

Fortunately, forecasts for the upcoming week suggest a shift toward milder spring weather. Temperatures are anticipated to rise into the low 20s Celsius (low 70s Fahrenheit), raising hopes for a vibrant bloom in the coming days.

Update: Tokyo's First Bloom

Shortly after this article was drafted, the Japan Meteorological Agency confirmed that Tokyo officially entered sakura bloom on March 29th, arriving about five days later than in previous years.

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Sources

最新の桜開花・満開予想 昨年より大幅遅れ 東京は29日開花 4月上旬に見ごろ多い. Tenki.jp

【開花待ちわびて…】ひと足先にお花見気分 東京・上野公園から中継. NTV News (via YouTube)

【速報】東京の桜開花まで「あと1輪」靖国神社の標本木は4輪開花. FNN Prime Online

【東京の桜"】開花"はいつ？ 祭りは延期検討、観光客は… NTV News (via YouTube)

開花を宣言する「標本木」は全国に58本. WeatherNews.jp

開花またずに「桜まつり」、待ちわびる東京都民は早咲きの花に足止め. Asahi Shimbun