Kyoto: Japan's traditional sign of spring, its cherry blossom season has peaked at the earliest date after more than 1,200 years ago.

According to a research, this year the cherry blossom season also known as Sakura in Japanese, peaked on 26 March, according to data collected by Osaka University.

Scientists have argued that the early peak in recent decades are likely to be a result of changing climate. The records from Kyoto go back to 812 AD in imperial court documents and diaries.

Moreover, Kyoto has experienced an unusually warmer spring this year.

Prior to this, the season reached its peak on 27 March.

Although the season of cherry blossoms, last only for a few days, but their appearance is highly important for the country, both economically and culturally. That is the time when tourists from all around the world gather in Japan to witness this amazing beauty.

The update and progress of the cherry blossom season is closely monitored, with the Japanese Meteorological Agency issuing forecasts of the first flowers and the peak of the season.

This year, the flowers began blooming in Hiroshima on 11 March, eight days earlier than the previous record, which was set in 2004.