Tokyo's dazzling cherry blossom season officially begins

Tokyo's meteorologists declared the start of the much-loved cherry blossom season in the Japanese capital on Thursday, as residents prepare to host outdoor picnics under dazzling floral displays.

The cherry season for Tokyo starts when the official sample tree at Yasukuni Shrine opens at least five flowers. The Japan Meteorological Agency said the blooming was five days earlier than the average, March 24, which was last year's arrival date. The early blooming came as Tokyo experienced warmer-than-usual weather since mid-February, a weather agency official told the media.