Tokyo¡¯s cherry blossoms are set to begin blooming on March 21, according to a forecast released Wednesday by private weather company Weathernews.

The projection is based on more than 2 million reports from participants in the company¡¯s ¡°Sakura Project,¡± alongside temperature data, meteorological models and research at major viewing sites.

This year¡¯s cherry blossom season is expected to align with or slightly precede historical averages in western and eastern Japan. While last year¡¯s blooms were delayed in the south of the Kanto region, this most recent forecast suggests a return to normal timing.