Tokyo's cherry blossom declaration came on Saturday the 16th—because Somei-yoshino blossoms opened on the standard tree at Yasukuni Shrine, an 18-minute, 1.5 km walk from Palaceside Building. Ten days earlier than average and fifteen days earlier than last year's relatively late bloom—the earliest since observation began in 1953 (Showa 28), tied with 2002 (Heisei 14), it seems. By the 18th the standard tree was already two to three tenths open, and visitors were clicking shutters busily. (Photo: standard tree as of the 18th.) Forecasts say full bloom around the 25th in Tokyo—a notably early cherry season.
Those caught off guard by this unexpectedly early bloom may be the people behind "sakura festivals." Chiyoda Ward had planned the "Chiyoda Sakura Festival" centered on famous spots such as Chidorigafuchi Green Way, Kitanomaru Park, and Yasukuni Shrine from the 29th through April 7, with LED light-ups planned until 10 p.m. throughout—but light-ups will start hastily from the 22nd, and free shuttle buses running through Jimbocho's used-book district, Kudanshita, and in front of Palaceside Building, extended through April 6 and 7, will also run on Saturday and Sunday, March 30 and 31.
Even so, after a February much colder than average, March turned warm at once—weather that tempts not only cherry trees. Narcissus blooming in late January was about a month late across the country, with "narcissus festivals" extended or closed before full bloom in many places. Plum bloom was also delayed; the Ogose Plum Grove festival in Saitama, scheduled February 16–March 20, was extended to March 24, but flowers opened suddenly in the warm week—red plum largely scattered, while slower white plum has finally reached full bloom.
Kawazuzakura, blooming about a month before Somei-yoshino, was also delayed. In Kawazu, Shizuoka, they finally reached peak this month, but kawazuzakura near the coast are already leafing out. The "Sakura Festival" at Miura Kaigan, Kanagawa, was scheduled February 9–March 10 but extended two weeks to the 24th because bloom was late—yet with recent warming, blossoms advanced quickly, and as of the 15th leaves are prominent: "only a little time left to enjoy," it seems.
At this rate, cherries that have just opened may scatter in a flash. For insects that have finally emerged, the period to sip nectar may be much shorter. This year's weather has truly disappointed festivals and insects alike.