Kofu: Sample Somei-Yoshino cherry trees have begun to bloom in Kofu, Gifu, and Kochi, marking the first blossoms of the season in Japan, the Japan Meteorological Agency announced.

According to Philippines News Agency, Kochi saw cherry blossoms for the third consecutive year, with blooming occurring six days earlier than average and seven days earlier than last year. In Kofu, the cherry trees recorded their earliest bloom since 1953, happening nine days earlier than the average and ten days earlier than last year.

Gifu tied its record for the first bloom date, matching the years 1989, 2021, and 2023. This year's blooming in Gifu was nine days earlier than both the average and last year. These early blooms coincide with higher-than-usual temperatures in the cities last month.