Cherry blossom season starts in Tokyo

Saturday saw the beginning of the cherry blossom season in Tokyo, an event that took place ten days ahead of schedule thanks to warm weather, city government officials said.

Every year, a representative sample tree located near Yasukuni Shrine is typically selected to define the date of the opening of the season for Tokyo.

In the coming weeks, millions of Japanese will enjoy the annual tradition of blossom viewing parties and trips into the countryside to picnic under the cherry trees.