Sample Somei Yoshino cherry trees began to bloom in the cities of Kofu, Gifu and Kochi on Monday, the first blooms of the season, the Japan Meteorological Agency announced.
Kochi was the first city in the country to see cherry blossoms for the third straight year. Cherry trees in the city began to bloom six days earlier than average and seven days earlier than last year.
Kofu saw the earliest blooming since records began in 1953, which was nine days earlier than average and 10 days earlier than last year.
In Gifu, the first blooming tied the record set in 1989, 2021 and 2023, and it was nine days earlier than average and nine days earlier than last year.
The cities experienced higher-than-usual temperatures last month.
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