Every year, the first sign of cherry blossoms — sakura — marks a shift in mood. For many in Japan, it signals the end of winter and the beginning of spring. But this year is different. Near Tokyo, cherry trees started blooming more than 20 days earlier than usual, surprising locals and visitors alike. 

It’s not just a quirky weather story — it tells us something about our changing seasons, warmer winters, and why sakuraare blooming before we traditionally expect them.

 

What’s Happening Now: Early Blooms Near Tokyo

Reports from social media and local news sources showed cherry trees in the Tokyo area began flowering unusually early — about 20 days ahead of the typical schedule. 

This isn’t the usual early-spring sakura that everyone waits for in late March or early April — it’s the kind we often call winter cherry blossoms. These are typically early-blooming varieties like kawazu-zakura or kanzakura that can flower when the weather warms up in late winter. 

At places like Shinjuku Gyoen, these winter blossoms have already reached full bloom by mid-February — much earlier than their normal late-February to early-March timeframe. 

It means if you’re in Tokyo or nearby now, you’re seeing something quite special for this year.

Why Are They Blooming So Early?

The simple answer is warm weather. Unseasonably high temperatures in winter can trick cherry trees into thinking spring has arrived. While winter blooms have always existed for some early-blooming varieties, this year’s warmth has pushed even more trees to bloom sooner. 

Scientists and climatologists have noticed long-term trends where sakura blooms are gradually shifting earlier in the year — correlating with rising average temperatures. It’s part of a larger pattern that many researchers attribute to *climate change.

That doesn’t mean every cherry tree blooms early everywhere — flowering still depends on many local factors like the specific variety, night temperatures, and how long cold periods occur before warmer days.

But the fact that trees near Tokyo are flowering 20+ days ahead of the “usual” rhythm this winter is unusual enough to catch attention — and a reminder that seasons are changing in real time.

What You Can See — and Where

If you’re in Tokyo right now, you can still see some beautiful early blooms. A few places where these winter flowers appear most often include:

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden

• Winter cherry trees (kawazu-zakura, kanzakura) here have been observed in bloom in mid-February. 
• These trees tend to be darker or lighter pink and are highly photogenic.

Other parks and gardens

• While most large Somei Yoshino cherry — the iconic spring cherry — won’t appear until March or later, winter-blooming varieties can pop up in parks, temple grounds, and even along quieter streets.
• Checking local flower reports or weather apps can help you find which trees are blossoming each day.

These blooms won’t last as long as the spring peak sakura, which typically happens much later, but they still offer a chance for beautiful photos and an early taste of spring.

Sakura & the Seasons: A Changing Pattern

In Japan, sakura usually follow a “cherry blossom front” that moves northward as the weather warms: first from Kyushu in the southwest, then through Kansai and Kanto (Tokyo), and finally into Tohoku and Hokkaido in spring. Traditionally, Tokyo’s famous Somei Yoshino blossoms open in late March and reach full bloom — mankai — around the end of March or early April. 

But this winter’s warmer conditions show another layer to that tradition:

• Early winter bloomers like kawazu-zakura are now showing flowers much sooner. 
• Even for the traditional “spring” varieties, warmer temperatures tend to push bloom dates earlier when conditions align. Researchers and forecasts have shown this trend over multiple seasons. 

Some years, early warmth followed by a cold snap can delay or lengthen flowering periods, making each season slightly unique. That’s part of what makes sakura-watching so captivating — you never know exactly what nature will give you.

So What’s Different This Year?

This particular season stands out because:

Blooming is significantly earlier than usual (around 20 days earlier) near Tokyo.
- Winter cherry varieties are blooming already in mid-February.
- Warmer-than-average winter temperatures are accelerating growth cycles. 

That adds up to a rare opportunity for travelers and locals alike: seeing cherry blossoms well before the regular sakura season begins.

Why This Matters — Beyond Pretty Petals

Cherry blossoms are not just pretty flowers. In Japan they’re deeply symbolic of:

• Impermanence (the fleeting nature of life)
• Renewal and beginnings
• Shared moments under blooming trees

Seeing them earlier than usual might feel like a gift — a sign that spring is near — but it also raises questions about how climate patterns are shifting.

Whether you’re here for a short trip or live locally, this early bloom gives a chance to see a seasonal phenomenon from a new angle — and maybe to wonder at how nature is changing.

Tips for Seeing This Season’s Early Blooms

If you want to take advantage of this unexpected bloom:

Visit parks with known early-blooming trees like 

Inokashira park

Sakura Jingu shrine 

Yoyogi Park

Saigoyama Park

Shiba Park

Check local flower reports or weather apps — blossoms can change daily.
Go in the morning — softer light and quieter paths make viewing more magical.

Remember: these early flowers may not last very long — especially if temperatures fluctuate — so seeing them sooner rather than later is key.

Looking Ahead: Full Bloom Still Comes Later

While this early show is wonderful, the main cherry blossom period — especially for Somei Yoshino and iconic spring hanami — will still follow its usual pattern and come a bit later in the season. Forecasts predict traditional sakura blooming around March to April for Tokyo and other major regions. 

So think of this not as the sakura season — but as an exciting prelude.

This year’s early cherry blossoms are a gentle reminder that nature doesn’t always follow the calendar. Warm winters, changing weather, and early buds are creating a sakura season that surprises us before spring has officially begun.

Whether you’re strolling through a park with early blooms or planning your full sakura trip later in the season, cherish each moment of pink and soft petals — because even in a changing climate, those first flowers still feel like hope.