Japan cherry blossom season begins, marking start of spring
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Cherry blossom season has officially kicked off in Tokyo, marking the beginning of spring for the Japanese.
A Japan Meteorological Agency official counted at least five flowers blooming on a monitoring tree Tuesday at Yasukuni Shrine. He made the much-awaited announcement to media and visitors taking photos of a few pale pink flowers on the still mostly bare trees.
The announcement came about five days earlier than usual. Full bloom is expected in late March or early April.
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While the flowers normally first bloom in southern Japan where the climate is warmer. Tokyo is the first city this year to announce the start of the popular flower season.