A type of cherry tree that usually blossoms in the cold weather before early spring has begun blooming in Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture, north of Tokyo.

The Hitachi Beni Kanzakura variety features light pink petals. It was registered in 2006 as indigenous to the city. About 280 trees of this kind can be found in parks, schools and elsewhere in Hitachi.

City officials visited a local park earlier this week and spotted five to six open buds on about 30 cherry trees. They say the trees began to bloom this year about one week earlier than usual.

Visitors were seen enjoying the flowers and taking pictures.

A local resident in his 60s said he was surprised that the cherry blossoms opened so early. He says he feels energized to see the flowers blooming even in this cold weather.

Officials say the trees will come into full bloom in late February and the flowers can be enjoyed until early March.