00:00 John Daub: Behind me is the cherry blossom tree, the indicator tree at Yasukuni Shrine. You can see there's a ton of media there—TV cameras, media personalities. People are just congregated all around this one tree. This is the equivalent to Punxsutawney Phil in Pennsylvania, whether or not the groundhog sees his shadow and there's six more weeks of winter. This is an indicator tree for spring coming—something similar, but I think it's like seven or eight blossoms, and all of a sudden spring has started. Actually, spring has already started in Nagoya and Kochi Prefecture yesterday, but they haven't declared it for Tokyo yet. They might declare it really soon. I'm here to see if they do it while I'm here.

00:43 John Daub: This is the most important tree, the most watched tree perhaps in all of Japan, which says a lot. Just look around—you can see there's a ton of people around it today. You won't see this many except on the day they're deciding it. It's really quite thick for coming to a shrine, and there's a ton of media crews. We're going to look at the tree—look at them right there. The whole country is watching this one tree. I'm not kidding. Every prefecture has an indicator tree that decides if this is the day spring has started. You can see on this tree—1, 2, 3. You can almost count the blossoms. I don't know if there's enough to declare spring. Oh wait, hold on—at the end of the tree. You can see there are some: 1, 2, 3. I think they have enough to declare spring today. Yesterday there were only three or four—there's definitely a couple dozen now.

02:10 John Daub: This is kind of big news. I don't know if the Japan Meteorological Agency—the government organization that declares spring—will do it today. There's a guy who actually counts the blossoms and makes the decision. Hmm, he said yesterday he wasn't gonna do it, but today the media is really thick—they're waiting. Let me show you exactly where I am in Tokyo. It's exciting stuff watching a tree for spring. This is Yasukuni Shrine—the closest station is Kudanshita on the Hanzomon and Tozai lines. You can walk here from Tokyo Station in about 30 minutes. It's a beautiful, important shrine with a museum, and in that courtyard is the indicator tree—sakura no hyōjunki (cherry blossom indicator tree). It's fenced in to protect it. It's also controversial, but I like coming here for cherry blossoms—I've been for the last 20-some years living in Tokyo because it's one of the most beautiful places.

03:36 John Daub: All of Tokyo is waiting on this one tree—I'm not kidding, what you're watching is a really big deal. I'm gonna walk around a bit—even some residents here are taking pictures of the crowd. I'd say a third of the crowd is international, which is cool, and that tree in the middle is the one we're all looking at. I think we are there—I'm pretty sure we got enough to declare spring. If someone super chats that lucky number, it'd be like hitting the lotto. Everyone is congregated around here. I took this video about three minutes before the livestream—this is the sign declaring it the indicator tree. It hasn't always been this tree—there have been others in the past, and this one won't be forever, but it's been here as long as I've been. If you've never been to Japan in spring for cherry blossom season (sakura), this is the start of the entire craze. I'm not a fan of winter—I don't ski—and I'm so looking forward to spring.

06:23 John Daub: It's actually kind of warm, just a little crowded and cloudy now. Chidorigafuchi and Kitanomaru Park—part of the Imperial Palace moat—have trees leading up to the Budokan, where I saw Eric Clapton and the 1964 judo events were held. They haven't really bloomed much—there's a couple blossoms—but different areas of Tokyo blossom at different times since trees are living things. There's no one place doing extraordinarily well—they're just starting. Street food stands are out at Yasukuni, but since blossoms aren't out, people aren't either—it's relaxed. There's a doner kebab and a brick oven grilled pizza food truck—800 yen or $5 for fresh pizza, not a bad street food deal. While waiting to see if they make the call today, you are live here at the indicator tree.

08:27 John Daub: The indicator tree at Yasukuni Shrine is the official reference tree used by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) to declare the start of cherry blossom season in Tokyo—it plays a surprisingly important role in Japan's spring rhythm. It draws locals and tourists alike—it's a Somei Yoshino cherry tree with white blossoms. Meteorologists observe it every day during sakura season—they were here yesterday saying no. It's officially declared at kaika (first bloom) when five or six flowers open, and mankai (full bloom) at 80%. Right now it's at kaika, I believe—maybe they haven't shown up yet, which is why the media's still here. The JMA guys wear white coats—they're on the threshold. Half a dozen opened overnight—this is the start of spring, cherry blossom season. It's not just the crowd and party vibe—I'm excited. Oh, they're turning cameras on—something's happening. The tension changed.

10:53 John Daub: They are officially declaring it—he's gonna announce. Is there gonna be a cheer? We're waiting for the verdict. He's got a big smile. Do we cheer in Japan? I can't quite make out what he's saying—I'm reading lips. Cameras are on, but media guys are checking watches, so maybe a bit longer. They said live broadcast at 1:55pm—that's a ways away, but in five minutes something's announced. Crowd's thick—we're all waiting on the JMA declaration. You need five or six blossoms—I see at least a dozen, maybe nine or ten. Tomorrow's the weekend—Friday's a holiday—and it'll be nice with tons more blossoms. If watching playback, jump ahead 180 seconds. Every year is different—no predicting when sakura bloom. A couple years ago it was April 5, three weeks late due to cold spell—visitors missed them, unfortunate since you can't plan vacations around Mother Nature.

21:27 John Daub: This is Yasukuni Shrine, two minutes from Kudanshita Station on the Tozai and Hanzomon lines. Media personality's talking—we've got a good angle. You might see me on local TV. Tension's changing—she's got her mic. A thousand people hanging out for news of an old tree—fun. Major TV networks, regional ones, NHK. Here we go—they've entered, he's counting blossoms up there. That's awesome—look at him. Foregone conclusion—they needed four or five. They're officials doing it for show, confirming with kakunin (confirmation). More people than blossoms—hum in the crowd, then quieting. They're thorough, going around the tree—calling it in? Decision made. I've never done this before—interesting, what's next? All Japanese TV networks covering since Tokyo's the capital—very official.

27:47 John Daub: They're certifying it—they can't be wrong, but the tree obviously has more than a couple dozen. Oh look—he's declaring it in front of the TV camera, probably NHK. He wasn't in a suit yesterday. Hakushu (polite clapping). There's applause—it's started, officially. Cherry blossom season has begun—spring has sprung. You were here for that moment. Open the food stands, blossoms, festivals. Look at people with cell phones out—some hakushu. That was exciting. Now I'm stepping back—this isn't the indicator tree, but blossoms are really out. You can talk spring solstice, but in this country it's all about that tree. I've been in Japan going on 28 years since 1998, always wanted to be at this media event. Now everyone's filing out—in five minutes you'll have the tree to yourself. Go celebrate—spring is official.

31:28 John Daub: I was here for the start of spring announcement—a pretty big deal, but doesn't feel like it yet. These trees will be completely full in 96 hours—a metamorphosis, sky hidden by white blossoms. Cherry blossoms change with clouds, blue sky, or night illumination—like three different views: overcast mood, stunning sun, or snowy glow against black sky. Different times and weather give different angles—fascinating. Hope this was fun—for me it's extraordinary after 28 years. Except after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami—festivities canceled despite blooms. Fifteen years ago everything stopped—no celebrating. We all felt the pain—odd seeing sakura out but nobody underneath enjoying.

34:01 John Daub: He's making the official announcement—spring has started from the JMA. They counted about 60 cherry blossoms. NHK asking questions—high chance full bloom quicker. He was surprised—yesterday only one or two, today over 60. They confirmed every single one for the records. With warm temps, full bloom sooner—season might be shorter, then first rain or wind knocks them down. Officially winter's over—cherry blossom season ready. Still cold possible, chance of snow, but JMA said the tree's ready—exciting. Hope this was informative—leave questions in comments: where you from, seen sakura, favorite spot? Great resource—join our 25,000-member Discord for pics and experiences. Postcards from Tokyo Marathon went out today—support on Patreon gets one.

38:10 John Daub: I'll bring more cherry blossom spots around the city once better—not much out yet, but I live for this. Seems small news, but after 28 years it's a big deal for the country. Tough start to the year for me, but things about to get better. Hope it gets better for you too—think positive. Matane.