The first blossoms of the season popped open last week in Tokyo. At the Yasukuni Shrine, a lone Somei Yoshino tree revealed just enough blooms—five, to be exact—for the Japan Meteorological Agency to declare the 2025 cherry blossom (also called sakura) season officially underway.

Cherry blossoms are in full bloom across Japan, prompting the usual rush of impromptu picnics, but prices are surging for the traditional food items often enjoyed while admiring the flowers.

Cherry blossom trees drew large crowds in cities around the world, marking the beginning of spring.