Since records began in the 9th century, diaries and chronicles from monks, aristocrats and emperors have tracked the date of “full flower” for the city’s cherry blossoms. This provides an unusually long and complete record of spring coming earlier in Japan. The World’s Carolyn Beeler reports on how a nation’s fascination with the cherry blossom provides a window into our changing climate.
The story you just read is not locked behind a paywall because listeners and readers like you generously support our nonprofit newsroom. Now more than ever, we need your help to support our global reporting work and power the future of The World. Can we count on you?