Cherry blossoms in full bloom in central Tokyo area

TOKYO – Cherry blossoms in central Tokyo are in full bloom, Japan’s weather agency said Saturday, slightly earlier than an average year.

Many parts of eastern and western Japan are expected to see cherry blossoms peak within a week, according to a forecast by private weather service Weathernews Inc.

At Tokyo’s Yasukuni Shrine, the Japan Meteorological Agency confirmed that blossoms on a designated Somei Yoshino tree, the country’s most popular cherry variety, have reached the level required to be declared in full bloom.

This year’s peak bloom in central Tokyo came three days earlier than average and two days earlier than last year.