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4w ago

Tokyo and Washington, D.C., Cherry Blossoms Signal Start of Spring

Tokyo's cherry blossoms officially began blooming on March 24, while Washington, D.C., blossoms are nearing peak bloom expected between March 28 and 31.

Image
Visitors walk in Tidal Basin as cherry trees begin to bloom, Friday, March 21, 2025 in Washington.
An aerial view of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial at the Tidal Basin is seen during high tide amid cherry blossoms in peak bloom on March 25, 2023 in Washington, D.C.

Overview

  • Tokyo's cherry blossom season began on March 24, 2025, with blooms declared by the Japan Meteorological Agency at Yasukuni Shrine.
  • In Washington, D.C., cherry trees have reached the 'puffy white' stage, the final phase before peak bloom, which is predicted between March 28 and 31.
  • Warmer-than-usual temperatures in both regions continue a trend of earlier blooms, raising concerns about climate change's impact on this tradition.
  • The cherry blossom season holds deep cultural significance and attracts millions of visitors annually, generating substantial economic activity in both Tokyo and Washington, D.C.
  • The tradition in Washington, D.C., stems from Japan's 1912 gift of 3,000 cherry trees, symbolizing international friendship and renewal.