Cherry blossoms in full bloom on Tokyo’s Sumida River

People gathered on the banks of the Sumida River on the day Japan’s Meteorological Agency announced cherry blossoms were in full bloom in Tokyo. The date came nine days earlier than usual and five earlier than last year.

The Meteorological Agency has observatories across the country that monitor "specimen trees" to determine when cherry blossoms enter full bloom. It makes the announcement for a region when more than 80% of the flowers on the local specimen tree start blooming. Tokyo was the first area to enter full bloom this year.