Japan's official cherry blossom spotters on Monday confirmed the first blooming of the country's favourite flower, declaring the official start of the festive season in the Japanese capital.

The cherry blossoms in the US capital, Washington, DC, have started to bloom, marking the early signs of spring. Peak bloom, when 70% of the blossoms are open, is expected to occur between March 28 and 31, according to park officials. The exact timing may change depending on the weather. Cold or warm temperatures can speed up or delay blooming.