What Does Peak Mean: Wonderful Cherry Blossoms!

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A picture of cherry blossoms during peak season.

What does it mean when the sakura (cherry blossoms) are at their “peak” bloom, and how is that determined? In Japan, seeing cherry blossoms is a hobby and a way of life. We keep track of cherry blossoms across the country in many ways.

Trees and Flowers of the Sakura

About ten kinds of wild cherry trees grow in Japan. There are over 100 types throughout the country, each of which has different parts. One of these is the Sumei yoshino, also called the Yoshino cherry. People first discovered it during the Edo period (1603-1867) and observed these flowers during hanami picnics.

A picture of cherry blossom trees, which are pink. The grass is amazingly green, during peak season.
Cherry blossoms are gorgeous during the spring. Image via Shutterstock

Most of the flower’s charm comes from the fact that it only blooms for a short time. The delicate flowers only stay on the trees for a week or two before they fall to the ground. Even so, they’re open throughout peak season, so cherry blossoms even at night (yozakura).

The Sakura Front

In addition to the weather, many factors affect the cherry blossoms bloom. Their buds form in the fall of the year before, but they stop growing in the winter to stay alive. When the weather gets warmer, flowers start to grow. The speed of blooming depends on how hot it is.

A branch of budding cherry blossoms.
It takes a while for the first cherry blossoms of the season to bloom. Image via Shutterstock

Sakura blooms first in the warmer south of Japan, and the last flowers appear in the north. The “cherry blossom front” shows how blooming moves north across Japan like an army (sakura zensen).

How to Guess Sakura Season

The cherry blossom forecast (sakura no kaikayoso) is by the Japanese Meteorological Agency (JMA). Every January, the agency dispatches many to 58 sample trees (yohonboku) near its weather stations.

Depending on where in Japan you are, you may or may not be able to see the Yoshino cherry. Some of Hokkaido’s colder places, like Wakkanai and Asahikawa, use a different kind of cherry blossom called Ezoyamazakura as a reference. They can bloom as early as February, which gives them the name “winter sakura.”

Regarding cherry blossom samples, scientists use Sargent’s cherry in the north and Higan cherry in the south. There are no official samples from warmer parts of Japan, such as Okinawa and Amami, so predictions are more complicated.

A branch of Sargent's cherry blossom near a clear blue sky, finally answering the question "What does peak mean"?
Sargent’s cherry is a typical sample that scientists use. Image via Shutterstock

A pool of carefully chosen reserves can quickly replace damaged or old trees. The JMA’s data includes autumn and winter temperatures from previous years, height above sea level, and daily reports on tree growth. They also have total temperatures, equations for chemical reactions in flowers, and data on when flowers bloom in about 1000 places across Japan.

A picture of Ezoyamazakura, a pink cherry blossom in the north. of Japan.
Ezoyamazakura bloom in May after the rest of Japan has finished its sakura season. Image via Shutterstock

Most Sumei yoshino are clones, which gives them even more accuracy and makes it possible to make predictions that are off by only two or three days. After all the information has been reviewed and confirmed, the JMA puts maps, graphs, and tables on its official website so private agencies and the public can use them.

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The peak of cherry blossoms

The “day of opening” (kaikabi) for a given area is when the nearest sample tree has five to six sakura flowers. When 80% of the flowers on the sample tree bloom, this is called “peak bloom” (mankaibi). Depending on where in the country you live, the best time to see Yoshino cherry trees is between March and early May.

A picture of pink Okinawa cherry blossoms around peak season.
Okinawa cherry blossoms are the first to bloom in the country. Image via Shutterstock

Since the 9th century, emperors, aristocrats, monks, and government officials in Japan have written down the dates of hanami and cherry blossom peaks. Since 1800, these diaries and records show that the best blooms have happened earlier.

A picture of kyoto during cherry blossom season.
Kyoto has many cherry blossoms for people to enjoy. Image via Shutterstock

Some scientists think this trend is caused by global warming because there is a link between when sakura blooms and how warm it is in the spring. At this time, global warming seems to affect Kyoto’s sakura season the most. Between 1953 and 2000, the city’s average March temperatures went up by almost for degrees. Also, on March 26, 2021, when the blooms were at their peak, it was the earliest since AD 812.

A couple sits below a cherry blossom tree while at hanami.
Hanami is an important event during the spring! Image via Shutterstock

Cherry blossom predictions are fascinating for both locals and tourists! No matter where you are, sakura season is on its way, and there will be hanami picnics across the country. Are you going to be in Japan for cherry blossom season? Where do you plan to go? Please let us know in the comments below.

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