Tokyo's cherry blossom season has officially started after the official sample tree at Yasukuni Shrine opened at least five flowers.
According to The Japan Times, Tokyo's cherry blossom season officially began on March 19, 2026. The season starts when the official sample tree at Yasukuni Shrine opens at least five flowers. Yasukuni Shrine serves as the site for the official sample tree. Keywords include Yasukuni Shrine, SAKURA, TOKYO, and TOURISM. This marks the beginning of the tourism season.
A survey shows the average budget for cherry blossom viewing has fallen 13.8%. About 10% of people plan to view sakura alone. This reflects pressures from inflation and the Japanese economy.
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Roads, train stations and airports in Japan congested on Saturday as the five-day Golden Week stretch began. Travelers headed to hometowns or domestic and overseas vacations. JR East reported disruptions on the Yamagata Shinkansen due to strong winds and a fallen tree.
Worshippers in colorful attire paraded giant phallus-shaped shrines through streets near Tokyo during Japan's annual Kanamara fertility festival on Sunday. The event drew tourists, couples, families and LGBTQ supporters, aiming to destigmatize sex. Chief priest Hiroyuki Nakamura told AFP he hopes it dispels the notion that sex is a bad, dirty thing.