日本国内でどこよりも早くカンヒザクラ（寒緋桜）が咲く沖縄では、冬真っ只中の１月、2月に桜のシーズンを迎える。今年は平年よりも3日早い1月15日（木）に気象庁から沖縄県那覇市の桜の開花が発表された。また、1月17日（土）からは県内各地で桜まつりが開催。多くの見物客が訪れ、にぎわいを見せている。
さらに、沖縄では1月下旬からひまわりを見ることができる。「ひまわりin北中城」は日本で一番早いひまわりのイベント。年々その規模は大きくなっており、近年は約10万人の見物客が訪れる。沖縄では冬の時期に、春の風物詩「桜」と夏の風物詩「ひまわり」を一度に見ることができるのだ。
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おすすめ記事
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cherry blossom japan
JAPAN-WEATHER-BLOSSOMS(01 of29)
A sparrow holds a flower in its mouth on a fully bloomed cherry blossom tree in Tokyo on March 21, 2013. Viewing cherry blossoms is a national pastime and cultural event in Japan, where millions of people turn out to admire them annually. Japan\'s weather agency announced on March 16 the official beginning of cherry blossom season in Tokyo, equalling the record for the earliest ever start. AFP PHOTO / Yoshikazu TSUNO (Photo credit should read YOSHIKAZU TSUNO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
JAPAN-WEATHER-BLOSSOMS(02 of29)
A sparrow holds a flower in its mouth on a fully bloomed cherry blossom tree in Tokyo on March 21, 2013. Viewing cherry blossoms is a national pastime and cultural event in Japan, where millions of people turn out to admire them annually. Japan\'s weather agency announced on March 16 the official beginning of cherry blossom season in Tokyo, equalling the record for the earliest ever start. AFP PHOTO / Yoshikazu TSUNO (Photo credit should read YOSHIKAZU TSUNO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Cherry Blossoms In Full Bloom In Japan(03 of29)
OSAKA, JAPAN - APRIL 09: People sit under cherry blossoms at Osakajokoen on April 9, 2012 in Osaka, Japan. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Cherry Blossoms Bloom In Tokyo(04 of29)
TOKYO - MARCH 29: Cherry blossoms are seen in full bloom at Ueno park on March 29, 2008 in Tokyo, Japan. The blooms of have arrived seven days earlier than the average year in Tokyo, according to observers. (Photo by Koichi Kamoshida/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Cherry Blossoms Bloom In southwestern Japan(05 of29)
FUKUOKA, JAPAN - APRIL 3: Cherry blossoms are seen in full bloom at Maizuru park on April 3, 2006 in Fukuoka, Japan. The bloom of the cherry blossoms came 7 days earlier than usual in Tokyo. (Photo by Koichi Kamoshida/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Cherry blossoms begin to emerge on the J(06 of29)
Washington, UNITED STATES: Cherry blossoms begin to emerge on the Japanese cherry trees surrounding the Tidal Basin 29 March, 2006 in Washington, DC. The Jefferson Memorial is seen in the background. Warmer temperatures are bringing the blossoms out in force and they are expected to be at peak this weekend. The National Cherry Blossom Festival runs until 09 April 2006. AFP PHOTO/Karen BLEIER (Photo credit should read KAREN BLEIER/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Cherry Blossoms Bloom In southwestern Japan(07 of29)
FUKUOKA, JAPAN - APRIL 3: Cherry blossoms are seen in full bloom at Maizuru park on April 3, 2006 in Fukuoka, Japan. The bloom of the cherry blossoms came 7 days earlier than usual in Tokyo. (Photo by Koichi Kamoshida/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Cherry Blossoms In Full Bloom In Japan(08 of29)
OSAKA, JAPAN - APRIL 09: Cyclists dismount under blooming cherry blossoms at Sakuranomiya Park on April 9, 2012 in Osaka, Japan. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Cherry Blossoms In Full Bloom In Japan(09 of29)
OSAKA, JAPAN - APRIL 09: Cherry blossoms bloom beside the Osaka Castle on April 9, 2012 in Osaka, Japan. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Cherry Blossoms Bloom In Tokyo(10 of29)
TOKYO - MARCH 29: Cherry blossoms are seen in full bloom at Ueno park on March 29, 2008 in Tokyo, Japan. The blooms arrived seven days earlier than the average year in Tokyo, according to observers. (Photo by Koichi Kamoshida/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Cherry Blossoms Bloom In Tokyo(11 of29)
TOKYO - MARCH 29: Cherry blossoms are seen in full bloom at Ueno park on March 29, 2008 in Tokyo, Japan. The blooms arrived seven days earlier than the average year in Tokyo, according to observers. (Photo by Koichi Kamoshida/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Cherry Blossoms In Full Bloom In Japan(12 of29)
OSAKA, JAPAN - APRIL 09: A woman takes a photograph of cherry blossom blooming in Sakuranomiya Park on April 9, 2012 in Osaka, Japan. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Cherry Blossoms In Full Bloom In Japan(13 of29)
OSAKA, JAPAN - APRIL 09: A Japanese newly-wed couple have their wedding photographs taken under blossoming cherry blossoms at Osakajokoen on April 9, 2012 in Osaka, Japan. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Cherry Blossoms Bloom In Tokyo(14 of29)
TOKYO - MARCH 29: People enjoy blooming cherry blossoms at Ueno park on March 29, 2008 in Tokyo, Japan. The blooms arrived seven days earlier than the average year in Tokyo, according to observers. (Photo by Koichi Kamoshida/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
JAPAN-WEATHER-LIFESTYLE-BLOSSOMS(15 of29)
A man transports his little dog in the basket of his bicycle as he walks past cherry blossom trees along a riverside promenade in Tokyo on March 20, 2013. Viewing of cherry blossoms is a national pastime and cultural event in Japan, where millions of people turn out to admire them annually. Japan\'s weather agency announced on March 16 the official beginning of cherry blossom season in Tokyo, equalling the record for the earliest ever start. AFP PHOTO / Yoshikazu TSUNO (Photo credit should read YOSHIKAZU TSUNO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
JAPAN-WEATHER-LIFESTYLE-BLOSSOMS(16 of29)
People stroll under cherry blossom trees along a riverside promenade in Tokyo on March 20, 2013. Viewing of cherry blossoms is a national pastime and cultural event in Japan, where millions of people turn out to admire them annually. Japan\'s weather agency announced on March 16 the official beginning of cherry blossom season in Tokyo, equalling the record for the earliest ever start. AFP PHOTO / Yoshikazu TSUNO (Photo credit should read YOSHIKAZU TSUNO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
JAPAN-WEATHER-LIFESTYLE-BLOSSOMS(17 of29)
A man transports his children on his bicycle under cherry blossom trees along a riverside promenade in Tokyo on March 20, 2013. Viewing of cherry blossoms is a national pastime and cultural event in Japan, where millions of people turn out to admire them annually. Japan\'s weather agency announced on March 16 the official beginning of cherry blossom season in Tokyo, equalling the record for the earliest ever start. AFP PHOTO / Yoshikazu TSUNO (Photo credit should read YOSHIKAZU TSUNO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
JAPAN-WEATHER-LIFESTYLE-BLOSSOMS(18 of29)
People stroll under cherry blossom trees along a riverside promenade in Tokyo on March 20, 2013. Viewing of cherry blossoms is a national pastime and cultural event in Japan, where millions of people turn out to admire them annually. Japan\'s weather agency announced on March 16 the official beginning of cherry blossom season in Tokyo, equalling the record for the earliest ever start. AFP PHOTO / Yoshikazu TSUNO (Photo credit should read YOSHIKAZU TSUNO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Cherry Blossoms In Full Bloom In Japan(19 of29)
OSAKA, JAPAN - APRIL 09: Bags of litter erst under cherry blossoms as a man sleeps on a bench in Sakuranomiya Park on April 9, 2012 in Osaka, Japan. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Cherry Blossoms In Full Bloom In Japan(20 of29)
OSAKA, JAPAN - APRIL 09: Children play under cherry blossoms, blooming in Sakuranomiya Park on April 9, 2012 in Osaka, Japan. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Cherry Blossoms In Full Bloom In Japan(21 of29)
OSAKA, JAPAN - APRIL 09: A woman takes a photograph of her pet dog beside the blooming cherry blossoms, at Sakuranomiya Park on April 9, 2012 in Osaka, Japan. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Cherry Blossoms In Full Bloom In Japan(22 of29)
OSAKA, JAPAN - APRIL 09: A woman photographs her friends under blooming cherry blossoms at Osakajokoen on April 9, 2012 in Osaka, Japan. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Prime Minister Hatoyama Hosts Cherry Blossom Viewing Party(23 of29)
TOKYO - APRIL 17: Cherry trees in full bloom during the government hosted cherry blossom viewing Party at Shinjuku Gyoen park on April 17, 2010 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Koichi Kamoshida/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Cherry Blossoms In Bloom In Kyoto(24 of29)
KYOTO, JAPAN - MARCH 28: A branch of cherry blossom is seen at Gion Shirakawa area on March 28, 2010 in Kyoto, Japan. (Photo by Akihiro I/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Cherry Blossoms In Full Bloom In Japan(25 of29)
OSAKA, JAPAN - APRIL 09: A man takes a photograph of cherry blossom blooming in Sakuranomiya Park on April 9, 2012 in Osaka, Japan. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Cherry Blossom In Full Bloom In Tokyo(26 of29)
TOKYO, JAPAN - MARCH 22: Cherry blossom night viewing at Chidorigafuchi Park. Cherry blossoms are in full bloom in Tokyo, Japan on March 22, 2013. The blossom season has arrived earlier than usual earlier than usual in Tokyo, with 2013 equalling the record for the earliest blossom set in 2002. (Photo by Keith Tsuji/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Cherry Blossom In Full Bloom In Tokyo(27 of29)
TOKYO, JAPAN - MARCH 22: Cherry blossom night viewing at Chidorigafuchi Park. Cherry blossoms are in full bloom in Tokyo, Japan on March 22, 2013. The blossom season has arrived earlier than usual earlier than usual in Tokyo, with 2013 equalling the record for the earliest blossom set in 2002. (Photo by Keith Tsuji/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Cherry Blossom In Full Bloom In Tokyo(28 of29)
TOKYO, JAPAN - MARCH 22: Cherry blossom night viewing at Chidorigafuchi Park. Cherry blossoms are in full bloom in Tokyo, Japan on March 22, 2013. The blossom season has arrived earlier than usual earlier than usual in Tokyo, with 2013 equalling the record for the earliest blossom set in 2002. (Photo by Keith Tsuji/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Cherry Blossom In Full Bloom In Tokyo(29 of29)
TOKYO, JAPAN - MARCH 22: Cherry blossom night viewing at Chidorigafuchi Park. Cherry blossoms are in full bloom in Tokyo, Japan on March 22, 2013. The blossom season has arrived earlier than usual earlier than usual in Tokyo, with 2013 equalling the record for the earliest blossom set in 2002. (Photo by Keith Tsuji/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)