JAKARTA - Sakura flower observers from the Japanese Government on Monday announced that the country's favorite flowers bloomed for the first time in three cities, marking the official start of the season.
Officials from the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) examined reference trees of the Somei Yoshino variety in three locations - Kochi in the southwest, and Gifu and Yamanashi in central Japan - and stated that they found more than five flowers on each tree, the minimum number required for the announcement.
Trees in Kochi bloomed earlier, for the third consecutive year, six days earlier than the average year, the JMA said, quoted by The Associated Press (16/3).
Meanwhile, trees in Gifu and Yamanashi bloomed nine days earlier than average.
Meanwhile, Shinobu Imoto of the Kochi Meteorological Agency told TBS television that low rainfall during the winter and longer hours of sunshine may have helped the flowers bloom early.
Cherry blossoms usually peak in late March to early April, when the country celebrates the start of the school year and new business.
Many residents of the Land of the Rising Sun enjoy walking or picnicking under the trees.
In recent years, people near cherry blossom viewing spots have complained about garbage, noise, and other problems associated with excessive tourism.
It is known that cherry blossoms have greatly influenced Japanese culture for centuries.
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