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Japan cherry blossom forecast 2022: sakura are expected to bloom early

Mar 12, 2022 (timeout.com) - Spring is just around the corner and we’ve got the latest cherry blossom forecast to prove it.

The Japan Meteorological Corporation has just released their seventh sakura forecast for the year, which currently predicts that hanami season is less than two weeks away.

According to JMC, Tokyo is now anticipating its cherry trees to flower on March 21 (three days earlier than usual). Peak bloom is forecast on March 29.

In Kyoto and Osaka, the blossoms are expected to arrive bang on time on March 26, with peak bloom hitting Kyoto on April 2 and Osaka on April 3.

Meanwhile, Hokkaido will be the last prefecture to see cherry blossoms, with the flowering date projected on April 28 and peak bloom set to overlap with Golden Week on May 2.

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Large Typhoon No. 25 was moving northwest over waters south of Japan at 3 p.m. on September 19 and is forecast to strengthen as it approaches Kanto and the Izu Islands from September 20 through September 21, bringing the risk of torrential rain, violent winds and further damage in areas still recovering from last year's typhoon.

A black bear has been spotted near one of the most popular hiking trails on Mount Takao in western Tokyo, prompting authorities to urge visitors to take precautions ahead of the five-day Silver Week holiday and the approaching autumn foliage season.

Starbucks is considering selling a majority stake in its Japanese business, potentially valued at as much as $3 billion, or about 470 billion yen, as the U.S. coffee chain seeks to concentrate management resources on its struggling North American operations.

Japan's Halloween Jumbo Lottery went on sale nationwide on September 16, offering a combined top payout of 400 million yen for the first prize and its adjacent-number prizes.

A new top-tier "Supreme Class" offering fully private compartments above the level of Green Car service will debut on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen on October 1, with passengers able to experience the new seating at a demonstration booth at Shin-Osaka Station.

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The number of people aged 100 or older in Japan has exceeded 100,000 for the first time, reaching a record 107,677 as of September 1, according to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.