Kyoto cherry blossoms now bloom earlier than at any point in 1,200 years

Kyoto’s cherry blossoms are now blooming earlier than at any point in the past 1,200 years.

The timing shift is being linked to broader warming trends and rising global temperatures.

Because cherry blossom bloom dates are a long-running biological record, they help track climate change over centuries.

The change matters not only for science but also for ecosystems and seasonal tourism.