福岡も開花！舞鶴公園にはピクニックを楽しむ人たち　25日から「福岡城さくらまつり」

On the 24th, the cherry blossoms were officially declared in bloom in Fukuoka. This is two days later than average, but one day earlier than last year. The warm daytime temperatures caused the blossoms on the sample tree to open, signaling the arrival of true spring in Fukuoka. Read the article for this video https://news.ntv.co.jp/n/fbs/category... ■Shinpei Hashimoto, Observation Technology Instructor, Fukuoka Regional Meteorological Observatory "Try crouching down around here, around here. It's roughly directly above this point." Around 9:30 AM on the 24th, the Somei Yoshino cherry blossoms on the sample tree at the Fukuoka Regional Meteorological Observatory opened. A total of three blossoms. This did not meet the five or more blossoms required for the official announcement of the blooming season. 3:30 PM. ■Reporter Seiji Kawamoto: "The weather station staff came for a second check today. Will there be any good news?" ■Shinpei Hashimoto, Observation Technology Instructor, Fukuoka Regional Meteorological Observatory: "We were able to confirm that five blossoms have opened, so the cherry blossoms are officially in bloom today." The blossoms opened further in the afternoon, and the cherry blossom season in Fukuoka was announced. This is two days later than average, but one day earlier than last year. Full bloom is expected in the next 7 to 10 days. Approximately 1,000 cherry trees of 19 different varieties are planted in Maizuru Park in Chuo Ward, Fukuoka City, near the weather station. ■Announcer Anri Nakamura: "Here, pale pink cherry blossoms are in full bloom. And nearby, people are enjoying a picnic." While the Somei Yoshino cherry blossoms have just begun to bloom, the early-blooming varieties are already at their peak. A family from the Netherlands, dressed in traditional Japanese clothing, was taking pictures with the Japanese cherry blossoms. ■Family from the Netherlands "It's beautiful. The cherry blossoms are beautiful, my wife is beautiful, and I'm very happy." We also found people enjoying cherry blossom viewing, spreading out their picnic lunches under the cherry trees. It was a couple who had been married for almost a year, and the mother. ■Wife "Last year, we had our pre-wedding photoshoot in the Japanese garden here, so it felt like a pilgrimage." She said that last year, the photos were taken right after the cherry blossoms had fallen. They had even coordinated their tableware with cherry blossoms, and came back this year hoping for the best. ■Husband "The cherry blossoms were still too early. The timing was off." Meanwhile, preparations were underway in the park's plaza to welcome cherry blossom viewers. ■Restaurant Owner "The cherry blossom festival starts tomorrow, so we're setting up our stalls." The annual "Fukuoka Castle Cherry Blossom Festival" will begin at Maizuru Park on the 25th. With the announcement of the blossoms opening, those setting up stalls are also putting in extra effort. ■Restaurant Owner "They usually start blooming around the middle of the season, so I hope it will really pick up the pace." For the latest news, please visit https://news.ntv.co.jp/n/fbs. Also available on X FBS Fukuoka Broadcasting News (@FBS_NEWS5).   / fbs_news5