Kyoto Sees Cherry Blossoms Bloom First in Kinki Region

The Yomiuri Shimbun

14:31 JST, March 24, 2026

Cherry blossoms have begun to bloom in Kyoto, the Kyoto Local Meteorological Observatory announced on Monday, marking the first official declaration of blooming in the Kinki region this year.

The blooming arrived three days earlier than the average year and four days earlier than last year. The blossoms are expected to reach full bloom in about a week.

Staff from the observatory confirmed that at least five flowers — the minimum required for blooming to be declared — had opened on the reference tree within Nijo Castle, a World Heritage Site in Nakagyo Ward.

The observatory believes that the earlier-than-average blooming is due to a series of warm days from mid-February to early March. With many more warm days likely over the next week, the blossoms are expected to continue blooming.