Cherry blossoms have started opening in Tokyo, heralding the arrival of spring in the capital.

Officials of the Meteorological Agency visited Yasukuni Shrine in central Tokyo on Sunday and spotted more than five open buds on a benchmark cherry tree of the Somei-yoshino variety.

The agency announced the start of the cherry blossom season four days earlier than average, but six days later than last year. Agency officials say a rise in Tokyo's temperatures in early March may have helped buds open.

An agency official says flowers will come into full bloom sometime soon and he wants people to enjoy the season.

Cherry trees have also started blooming in the Kyushu and Shikoku regions in western Japan. Officials in the cities of Kumamoto and Kagoshima announced the start of the cherry blossom season on Sunday.