Photos show vibrant cherry blossoms in bloom around the world

In Japanese culture, the annual blooming of cherry blossoms — or sakura trees, as they are called in Japan — represents renewal, and the brevity of their peak season serves as a reminder of the "fleeting nature of life," according to a 2014 Smithsonian article. The season coincides with the start of the school year in Japan, which only adds to the sense that it is a time of hope and fresh starts.

In Japan, the act of appreciating the cherry blossoms is called "hanami," which translates to "flower viewing." This tradition has longstanding historical roots: Cherry-blossom viewing parties in Japan can be traced back to the 8th century, during the country's Nara period, according to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.

Each of the annual festivals in Tokyo has its own unique character and set of activities. The Ueno Sakura Festival, for example, features dance performances and flea markets, while the Tokyo Sakura Garden Spring Festival features a one-night dance party with local jazz musicians.

The trees in Tokyo began flowering on March 14 this year, which is the earliest date since records began in 1953, according to the Japan Times. This matches the records in 2020 and 2021.

Trees bloomed earlier in other Japanese cities as well, including Osaka and Nagoya.

While most cherry-blossom festivals take place during March and April, the Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival starts on February 2. The festival attracts more than 1 million visitors each year, according to Japan's tourism organization.

According to the city's official website, the cherry blossoms can be viewed across Hangzhou at locations including Taiziwan Park, the Hangzhou Cherry Blossom Garden, and the Hangzhou Botanical Garden.

Huangshan, which is in the east of China, is home to lush cherry blossoms that were bright pink by mid-March.

The pink trees stand out against the green grass and blue sky, creating a picturesque scene.

But cherry blossoms are not always bright pink — they can be a pale pink, white, or yellow.

Plum blossoms, cherry blossoms, cole flowers, peach blossoms, and pear flowers are just some of the flowers available for viewing in Guiyang.

The trees add pink accents across the green fields of Quing City's Malong District.

Blooming cherry blossoms add an eye-catching pop of color.

Xuanwu Lake Park, one of the top tourist destinations in Nanjing, China, becomes even more popular during cherry-blossom season.

According to China Daily, the boom in tourism prompted by the annual blooming of the cherry blossoms brings economic benefits to the country's rural areas, including Tangbu Village.

The cherry trees in Washington, DC, were planted over a century ago, in 1912. Japan gifted the trees to the US to reinforce a friendly relationship between the two countries.

Every year, the city's National Park Service hosts events during the trees' peak season.

This couple had a photo shoot in front of the cherry blossoms along the Tidal Basin.

In DC, historically the cherry blossoms' peak has started on April 4, but this year the peak started nearly two weeks earlier, on March 23, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing the National Park Service.

Each year, thousands of people visit the University of Washington to bask in the beauty of the campus's cherry blossoms. According to the university, in 2023, the trees are expected to reach their peak in early April.

The emergence of the trees' bright-pink flowers mark the end of the Pacific Northwest's gloomy winters.