Japan Cherry Blossom Season 2012: Stunning Photos Show Flowers In Bloom

Each year, Japan's cherry blossoms create one of the most stunning spring scenes our world has to offer. This weekend, thousands of people came out across the country to admire the white and pink blossoms, the Tokyo Times reports.

Japan's national weather service announced last Friday that blooming began on March 31. This announcement signals the official start of picnick, parties and festivals to celebrate the blossoms. According to The Telegraph, this annual spring tradition of enjoying the cherry blossoms on "sakura" trees goes back hundreds of years.

Last year, many festivities were canceled in the wake of the devastating earthquake that took the lives of tens of thousands of people. "We weren’t in the mood for partying under the flowers," Tokyo city official Tatsuko Suzuki told the Tokyo Times.

See stunning photos from this weekend in the slideshow below.