Photo= Visitors admire the full bloom of weeping cherry blossoms in the fine weather (March 24, Kyoto Gyoen National Garden, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto)

Early-flowering weeping cherry blossoms, also known as "Itozakura," are in full bloom at Kyoto Gyoen National Garden in Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto City. In the spring-like weather on March 24, many local citizens and tourists visited to enjoy the light pink petals of the highly anticipated season's arrival.

Dozens of weeping cherry trees are planted in the open square of the site of the Konoe Residence near the Imadegawa Gate. One characteristic is that they bloom especially early, quicker than other cherry trees in the Imperial Garden. Some have already come into full bloom. With their faces close to the branches sweeping near the ground, visitors admired the pretty flowers and enjoyed taking pictures.

According to the Kyoto Local Meteorological Observatory, the highest temperature on March 24 in Kyoto City rose to 17.4 degrees Celsius in comparison to 14.7 degrees Celsius around this season in an average year. The high atmospheric pressure coverage with warm, mild weather is expected to continue for the next week or so.