Watch live: Tokyo crowd gathers to see cherry blossoms before full bloom
Watch live as tourists gather in Tokyo to see the Japanese capital's cherry blossoms before full bloom.
The trees, also known as sakura, mark the onset of spring in the Asian country, with the beautiful pink and white flowers adorning the streets of many of its major cities.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) confirmed the first blooming of a cherry blossom on Monday, when the specimen tree of the Somei Yoshino at Tokyo's Yasukuni shrine had more than five blossoms flowering on it - the minimum required for declaring the start of the festive season.
According to the JMA, the opening matched the average year, and was five days earlier than the opening in 2024.
The cherry blossoms, which typically reach their peak in late March to early April, regularly appear in Japanese culture, symbolising life, death and rebirth.

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Business Wire
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mesm Tokyo, Autograph Collection: Afternoon Exhibition Chapter 14 "Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji, First half" from June 1 to August 31, 2025
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Business Insider
6 hours ago
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Cosmopolitan
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Rhodes travel guide: Where to stay, what to do, and where to eat on the Greek island
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They have plenty of room on their beachfront, so there's no dreaded rush to secure your sun lounger with a towel before the crack of dawn. Their beach bar is right next to a pizza oven too; ideal to sate the 4pm hunger sunbathing so easily brings on. Now, living in your swimwear, going from pool, to beach, to buffet all week might not be up everyone's alley, so if you're itching to get out and see some sights, the Mitsis team are also more than happy to arrange a tour or two for you. Lindos is only a short drive away and full of restaurants, bars, and hidden streets to get lost down... Rooms start from £177, find out more here Visiting a seafood restaurant when holidaying by the beach is a rite of passage, and the dishes being served up at Limanaki are definitely worth tasting for yourself. A special shout-out goes to the shrimp and scallop tomato risotto, a hearty, well-seasoned dish full of meaty and tender fish. Time your booking well and you can sit al fresco and watch the sun set behind the neighbouring mountainside - true holiday bliss. Ronda is the ideal lunch spot for chilling by the beach. The first impression of this restaurant is one of grandeur, as it's found a home in an old circular building with a vaulted ceiling, but if you continue outside and down the stairs it becomes the ultimate chill zone. The Japanese-inspired menu boasts great sushi with fish as fresh as they come, and what better setting to enjoy a few California rolls then chilling on the plush sofas listening to lo-fi hits? Holidaying in Rhodes and not visiting the Old Town is like going to M&S and *not* buying a pack of Percy Pigs… it would be rude not to. As a UNESCO World Heritage site, the cobbled streets of Rhodes Old Town are full of history. Give yourself a couple of hours to meander through the lanes, admire the medieval architecture, pop into local shops, and hop from cafe, to bar, to restaurant. There are a few museums you can visit, or even walk the ancient walls yourself, to really immerse yourself in the history of the place. Kallithea Springs is a blend of remarkable architecture and natural beauty. The unique balance that has been struck between structure and scenery is well worth a visit, as you'll find yourself wandering through arched buildings and tiled walkways before you take a dip in the crystal clear waters around. A good holiday isn't complete without a little exploration. The hike up Tsambika Mountain promises astonishing views and a feeling of accomplishment. I'd head up early to avoid the heat, especially if you're travelling in the height of summer. You might even want to set you alarms for the small hours, so you can catch the sunrise over Rhodes mountain range. The hike is easy enough to find as it is to follow, but make sure you bring enough water and follow a guide, as it can get seriously hot! Pack a picnic for the summit (points if you nicked it from the hotel buffet) and bask in your physical accomplishments - honestly, you might be one of the few people who actually gets their 10,000 steps on holiday! In need of a good night out? Faliraki is the place to go. Full of young groups and vibrant bars, letting off some steam is an easy feat here. Bounce from bar to bar chasing happy hour and two-for-one cocktails, until you end up heading to the club, dancing on a stage and meeting your new bestie in the girls loo. Or, if day trips are more your style, Anthony Quinn's Bay is just round the corner. Hop on a short boat trip, soaking up the sunshine and listening to the waves lap as you venture out of the bay. The crystal clear waters are a sight to behold in and of themselves, but the narrow bay is a great view to look back on. Lindos is another town worth a trip to. It's home to the classic white-washed walls Greece has become so famous for as well as local restaurants and quaint market stalls. The mainstay though, is at the top of a winding path (I'd opt for the donkey up to avoid the sweat!): a 14th-century acropolis giving Athens a run for it's money. The best time to travel to Rhodes is between May & October. This is when their tourist season is in full swing, and coming at the start or very end of the year may mean that certain hotels, restaurants, and bars aren't open. May-October is also when the weather is best. Rhodes has typical Greek weather: think dry and *hot*. It's the perfect escape from the UK's typically disappointing summers. However, if you struggle in the heat, it might be best to avoid late July and August, as it can reach up to 40-50 degrees and becomes difficult even for the locals. No one wants to spend their summer holiday in the shelter of their air-conditioned room! Unlike other, smaller Greek islands, Rhodes has an international airport, so you can fly directly from the UK, which takes around 4 hours. If you're lucky enough to be island hopping, you can arrive in Rhodes by boat, or take a flight from Athens which is only around 1 hour. Browse flights from the UK to Rhodes here