Japan 's official cherry blossom spotters on Monday confirmed the first blooming of the country's favorite flower, declaring the official start of the festive season in the Japanese

Spring is finally approaching in Japan, with cherry blossoms beginning to bloom in one of Tokyo's most famous spots, Ueno Park, on Friday (March 28). "I think it's incredible that the whole country would come out to celebrate these beautiful flowers and those trees and this new season," said tourist Stephanie Myers-Ham from California.

As cherry blossoms near their peak, Tokyo’s parks buzz with locals and tourists enjoying ‘hanami’ picnics, celebrating the season’s arrival ahead of this weekend’s full bloom. View on euronews

Washington, D.C.’s iconic cherry blossom trees are nearing peak bloom, a spectacle that draws a remarkable number of visitors to the city's Tidal Basin each year!

With Spring in full swing, cherry blossom trees at the University of Washington quad are nearing peak bloom. Hundreds and thousands of people visit the campus and the University District each year to celebrate--and perhaps snap a selfie of all things Sakura,

There’s no need to visit Japan for cherry blossom season. Now that hanami – the centuries-old tradition of flower viewing – is firmly fixed in the UK’s national calendar, parts of London are (for a few precious weeks) abuzz with people taking selfies beneath clouds of pink and white petals.