Cherry blossoms ripe in Japan
It may not be the case for Washington D.C. just yet (give it just a couple more days), but the cherry blossoms are in full bloom in Tokyo.
The Japanese Meteorological Agency tracked the Sakura (cherry blossom front) northward last week, peaking in Tokyo on March 30. Thousands of people have gathered across Tokyo to take part in ‘Hanami’ (Flower-viewing parties) the centuries old tradition of picnicking under a blooming Sakura tree. The blossoming begins in Okinawa in January and moves north through February peaking in Kyoto and Tokyo at the end of March and lasts just over a week.
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- People visit Ueno Park to enjoy the cherry blossom on March 29, 2014 in Tokyo, Japan. This is the first weekend after Japan’s Meteorological Agency announced this year’s Tokyo’s cherry blossom season has started. (Photo by Keith Tsuji/Getty Images)
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- A man views cherry blossom trees in full bloom at Meguro River, on April 1, 2014 in Tokyo, Japan. The Japanese Meteorological Agency tracked the Sakura (cherry blossom front) northward last week, peaking in Tokyo on March 30. Thousands of people have gathered across Tokyo to take part in “Hanami” (Flower-viewing parties) the centuries old tradition of picknicking under a blooming Sakura tree. The blossoming begins in Okinawa in January and moves north through Feburary peaking in Kyoto and Tokyo at the end of March and lasting just over a week. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)
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- A woman takes photographs of children in front of a cherry blossom tree in full bloom at Koishikawa Botanical Garden, on April 1, 2014 in Tokyo, Japan. The Japanese Meteorological Agency tracked the Sakura (cherry blossom front) northward last week, peaking in Tokyo on March 30. Thousands of people have gathered across Tokyo to take part in “Hanami” (Flower-viewing parties) the centuries old tradition of picknicking under a blooming Sakura tree. The blossoming begins in Okinawa in January and moves north through Feburary peaking in Kyoto and Tokyo at the end of March and lasting just over a week. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)
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- Large crowds of people view cherry blossom trees in full bloom along the Meguro River, on April 1, 2014 in Tokyo, Japan. The Japanese Meteorological Agency tracked the Sakura (cherry blossom front) northward last week, peaking in Tokyo on March 30. Thousands of people have gathered across Tokyo to take part in “Hanami” (Flower-viewing parties) the centuries old tradition of picknicking under a blooming Sakura tree. The blossoming begins in Okinawa in January and moves north through Feburary peaking in Kyoto and Tokyo at the end of March and lasting just over a week. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)
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- People take part in ” Hanami” or Flower-viewing parties under cherry blossom trees in full bloom in Ueno Park, on April 2, 2014 in Tokyo, Japan. The Japanese Meteorological Agency tracked the Sakura (cherry blossom front) northward last week , peaking in Tokyo on March 30. Thousands of people have gathered across Tokyo to take part in ‘Hanami’ (Flower-viewing parties) the centuries old tradition of picknicking under a blooming Sakura tree. The blossoming begins in Okinawa in January and moves north through Feburary peaking in Kyoto and Tokyo at the end of March and lasting just over a week. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)
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- People walk under cherry blossom trees in full bloom in Yanaka Cemetery , on April 2, 2014 in Tokyo, Japan. The Japanese Meteorological Agency tracked the Sakura (cherry blossom front) northward last week , peaking in Tokyo on March 30. Thousands of people have gathered across Tokyo to take part in ‘Hanami’ (Flower-viewing parties) the centuries old tradition of picknicking under a blooming Sakura tree. The blossoming begins in Okinawa in January and moves north through Feburary peaking in Kyoto and Tokyo at the end of March and lasting just over a week. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)
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- People take pictures of cherry blossoms at a park in Tokyo on March 25, 2014. Spring officially arrived in Tokyo on March 25 when Japan’s weather agency announced the start of the cherry blossom season. (Photo by Yoshikazu Tsuno/AFP/Getty Images)
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- A woman looks at a cherry blossom tree at a park in Tokyo on March 25, 2014. Spring officially arrived in Tokyo on March 25 when Japan’s weather agency announced the start of the cherry blossom season. (Photo by Yoshikazu Tsuno/AFP/Getty Images)
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- A woman holds up her dog next to a cherry blossom tree in full bloom in Tokyo on April 1, 2014. Viewing cherry blossoms is a national pastime and cultural event in Japan, where millions of people turn out to admire them annually. (Photo by Yoshikazu Tsuno/AFP/Getty Images)
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- A woman wearing a kimono looks at cherry blossom trees in full bloom in Tokyo on April 1, 2014. Viewing cherry blossoms is a national pastime and cultural event in Japan, where millions of people turn out to admire them annually. (Photo by Yoshikazu Tsuno/AFP/Getty Images)
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- A woman holds her daughter in her arms as she walks under cherry blossom trees in full bloom in Tokyo on April 1, 2014. Viewing cherry blossoms is a national pastime and cultural event in Japan, where millions of people turn out to admire them annually. (Photo by Yoshikazu Tsuno/AFP/Getty Images)
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- Japanese macaques eat cherry blossoms at Tokyo’s Ueno zoological garden on April 2, 2014. The zoo incorperated a cherry tree into the macaques habitat as the sprouts and flowers are their favorite food. (Photo by Yoshikazu Tsuno/AFP/Getty Images)
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- A girl riding on her father’s shoulders takes pictures of illuminated cherry blossoms in full bloom along the Chidorigafuchi moats in Tokyo April 1, 2014. Many people enjoy viewing the blossoms across the country during this season. (Photo by Yuya Shino/Reuters)
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- A woman wearing a rain cape walks under cherry blossoms at a Tokyo park at the beginning of the cherry blossom season in Tokyo March 30, 2014. (Photo by Issei Kato/Reuters)
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- A couple hold umbrellas while having a picnic in Ueno Park, which is famous for cherry blossoms, at the beginning of the cherry blossom season in Tokyo March 30, 2014. (Photo by Yuya Shino/Reuters
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- A couple hold an umbrella while having a picnic in Ueno Park, which is famous for cherry blossoms, at the beginning of the cherry blossom season in Tokyo March 30, 2014. (Photo by Yuya Shino/Reuters)
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- A woman on a bicycle rides past cherry blossoms at the beginning of the cherry blossom season in Tokyo March 30, 2014. (Photo by Yuya Shino/Reuters)
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- Visitors take pictures of illuminated cherry blossoms in full bloom along the Chidorigafuchi moats in Tokyo April 1, 2014. Many people enjoy viewing the blossoms across the country during this season. (Photo by Yuya Shino/Reuters)
Exactly when the buds will open is not easy to predict and it is extremely difficult to give an accurate forecast much more than 10 days before peak bloom, according to the D.C. national Cherry Blossom Festival. National Park Service horticulturists monitor five distinct stages of bud development and provide timely forecasts and updates. This year it’s predicted the blooms will be at their peak in D.C. between February 4 and February 12.
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Cherry blossoms bloom in Washington DC | The Washington Observer
Apr 13, 2014 @ 17:39:37
[…] A sea of pinkish stretches from inhabitant relic to inhabitant monument. The 3,000 cherry trees were a present from Japan in 1912 as a pitch of loyalty between a dual nations. […]
KP
Apr 02, 2014 @ 22:11:47
I think the peak bloom prediction is for April 8-12- according to the festival website.