On March 29, 2024, the Kyoto Local Meteorological Observatory announced that cherry blossoms (Somei Yoshino) were observed blooming in Kyoto City. This is 12 days later than last year (March 17) and three days later than normal (March 26). This appears to be due to the warm winter and cold weather in March. It is said to be the first in the Kinki region.
Just after 2 p.m., meteorological observatory staff confirmed that a specimen tree at Nijo Castle in Nakagyo Ward met the flowering criteria (5 or more flowers). According to the meteorological observatory, this winter has been warm across the country, and progress in breaking dormancy, in which cherry blossom buds wake up in the cold, has been slow. It is also believed that cherry blossom growth has slowed due to the cold weather that entered the area in March.
It is predicted that the weather will be warmer than normal until early April, and flowering is expected to progress. The Yoshino cherry trees were already in full bloom in front of the Reizei family residence in Kamigyo Ward, giving passersby a sense that spring had arrived.
