Flower power arrives in Tokyo at start of cherry blossom season

The Japanese government this week announced the official start of the cherry blossom season.

Anticipation surrounding the foliage that draws thousands of tourists to the country – and many more residents into parks and squares – has been building over the last few weeks, but it was on Tuesday that the Japan Meteorological Agency issued an announcement after five or six cherry blossoms were spotted by staff on its official tree at Tokyo’s Yasukuni Shrine.

The capital now enjoys weeks of “hanami” – which translates as “flower viewing”, before the blossoms move north, hitting Hokkaido in early May.

Of the best places to see the flowers, Telegraph Travel’s Tokyo expert Danielle Demetriou said: “Tokyo’s Ueno Park, one of Japan’s oldest and most famous public spaces, attracts epic-sized crowds to admire its 1,000-plus blooming cherry blossoms, while Shinjuku Gyoen is a surprisingly serene and beautiful alternative.”