Cherry in central Tokyo bloomed March 21, as the Japan Weather Association forecast. Five days earlier than average, two days earlier than last year. Warmth from late last week seems to have brought it on. Full bloom is expected in the first half of next week, but late this week turns cold again, so we shall see.
Bloom means the Chiyoda Cherry Festival and the Imperial Palace “Inui-dori opening.” The festival runs ten days, March 25 (Fri) to April 3 (Sun). With it, Inui-dori opens again after two years, the 25th–31st. It used to be five days; this time seven — a generous offering.
The Inui-dori opening began in early April 2014, at the cherry peak, in honor of His Majesty the Emperor’s eightieth birthday (December 2013) — photo above. It opened again in early December that year for autumn color. Spring 2015 was skipped, but demand was strong and it resumed in December that year. Continuance was then announced. After this spring, however, December this year and next spring will pause for tree-renewal work, so if you miss it this year the next Inui-dori cherries will be in two years.
The opening enters at Sakashita Gate in the southeast of the Imperial Palace and runs about one kilometer along the west of Hasuike-bori to Inui Gate. The route is one-way south to north; you can also peel off into the East Gardens and leave by Kitahanebashi, Hirakawa or Ote Gate. Fifty-eight Somei-yoshino and yae-zakura stand along both sides of Inui-dori.