Tokyo's cherry blossoms officially in bloom

Life goes on, a sign of rebirth and renewal. Cherish your life and the one's you love because you never know...

Japan is moving on with renewed hope...

Like the Radiation statements. Not correct! Just go look! I guess Megurogawa and Hibiya park are not in the 80%. Oh well Shoganai!

I am missing to see blossoming cherries now

I hope people are able to appreciate the beauty of the cherry blossoms in spite of their situations.

Whatthe reading comprehension fail?

Perhaps you should also go back and re-read the Radiation statements.

When 80% of the trees’ flowers have opened, an area is officially designated as in “full bloom.”

Statistics for cherry blossoming around Tokyo ... Tai, are you from Minnetonka? FineDiner, you must cut off your spending habit to donate more for Japanese people.

No Tokyovisitor, I am not in minnetonka. I am in Chiyoda-ku. I ate lunch at Yasukunijinja today. And I took pictures of the "official" first blooms on the Official Tokyo cherry tree.

Come hell or high (radioactive) water, I am doing hanami.

I just do not want to be surrounded by thousands and thousands of DRUNKS, then have a real big earthquake and be stuck over night out in the cold, with no trains etc..

@taj

Oh... Yasukinijinja NICE... That explains it. I just read the text. What I should have noted was the implied meaning...

When 80% of the trees’ flowers have opened, an area is officially designated (Yasukinijinja) as in “full bloom.”

My bad! I will look for the hidden truth from now on! Gamabarimasu!

Should I also read that the reactor is safe and Tepco is doing a great job.

The blooming of sakura begins in the warmer south and moves north

The nature is continuing to grow and react naturally, even yesterday had tsunami and earthquakes.

whatthe, you seem to be out of the line today under the sunshine ... elbudamexicano, you seem to enjoy somewhere in Singapore with .... taj, I saw you ... in there ... next the your man ... logistics ... we are living in a peaceful world ...

@tokyovistor

Don't get me wrong, Hanami is one of the really highlights in Japan. When I first got here didn't get it. But, now just can't get enough. The change in the weather, the renewal, the beauty.. absolutely the best. Hate it when I am on a trip somewhere and miss the best days.

Only problem is that it ain't out yet! May be by the weekend! Combine that with some real progress on the reactor and I am a very happy camper!

Anyway, for now I guess off to Yasukuni to take in the two trees that were sampled!

I just rode all around Tokyo today, down past Ueno Park, and there ain't no cherry blossoms blooming anywhere even remotely.

@EbiChiri

Ueno is not in the "officially designated" area. You like me was fooled by the article. But, no doubt we common folk will get to see the Sakura, just later on! For now, 5 out of 6 blooms on two trees at Yasukuni are in partial bloom. So, just forget about the reactor and get inline near the big gate!

I saw on the news, that government officials are requesting people not to celebrate cherry blossoms this year, in light of whats going on. However, it depended on which government (prefecture or city) in Japan had control of the park. So some parks where ok and others not. One notable park they were asking people not to celebrate in was Ueno.

@whatthe, "officially in bloom" not "in full bloom" or even "in partial bloom". Just, simply, in bloom, which means it has started.

And actually, that official tree had about 20 open. I didn't get close enough to try to count. From the distance, it didn't look to be in bloom. But when you got closer, you could see them. There were a lot of people crowding forward to take photos. None of the other trees I saw had any open blossoms yet.

It'll be at least another week before it's worth sitting under them, but this year Yasukuni has signs saying that following the earthquake disaster, people are asked to refrain from hosting enkai.

@taj

Too funny. Enjoy!

@taj

In case you missed it...

When 80% of the trees’ flowers have opened, an area is officially designated as in “full bloom.”

I will enjoy the blossom again this year, in fact I think this year it has even more symbolism than normal. However, our celebrations will be subdued and we will of course be keeping in mind those who don`t feel like celebrating.

As catastrophic as this disaster is, I really think people need to come together and find hope and cause for celebration. I think it will be psychologically healthy for them. Looking at the faces around me recently as I move around Tokyo, I am more and more concerned for everyones mental health here.

"When 80% of the trees’ flowers have opened, an area is officially designated as in “full bloom.”"

Yes, Whatthe. I am aware of that piece of information. Please read that article one more time. It is not saying, implying, or insinuating that anything is in FULL bloom yet. When that one bench-mark tree in front of the Noh Stage at Yasukuni Shrine reaches 80%, about 8 or 9 days from now, by my estimation, Tokyo will be upgraded from IN BLOOM to IN FULL BLOOM.

And

The Japan Meteorological Agency said Monday that the country’s capital was officially in bloom.

Roll out the barrel......

@taj

Yes... too funny!

can you please get the Tepco president to confirm.

taj, whatthe, Mittsu ...

Tokyo's cherry blossoms officially in bloom

This is the government's announcement to confirm the ritual festival of hanami each year beginning. If you are physically and consciously in Tokyo or nearby zones, you may see partially, fully or somehow blossoming cherries in public parks, private gardens and residential houses. Why does Japan use a term of officially more often than in U.S. and other countries. You can ask TEPCO's president to confirm, but you need to put on special suits to protect radiation somewhere as you are feeling ...

Well "Officially" not sure who or whom to believe; UNLESS we can get shacho to confirm what taj is saying OR I see some Sakura in 80% bloom.

Personally I expect that I may see 80% before the 8 or 9 days thrown down. I can walk past Yasukuni in the mornings so I will keep you all well informed. Also may place some odds on Betfair.

Morning Watch: A few buds along Megurogawa and in Yasukuni. My officially opinion is not Sakura!

" OR I see some Sakura in 80% bloom."

Whatthe, NO WHERE IN THE ARTICLE DOES IT SAY THEY ARE PRESENTLY IN 80% BLOOM!

(that is a "when this happens, it will be said" construct! Someone, please help! Have I lost my mind?)