Japan’s iconic cherry trees, long celebrated for their breathtaking springtime bloom, are quietly aging — and a new AI-powered tool may be the key to keeping the cherished tradition alive for generations to come.
Kirin, better known for its beer, has stepped into conservation with its recently launched Sakura AI Camera, a web-based tool that lets users snap photos of cherry trees and receive a health assessment. The tool evaluates the condition and estimated age of the tree using artificial intelligence trained on more than 5,000 cherry blossom images.
The idea is simple but impactful: allow citizens to contribute to cherry tree conservation just by uploading photos from their smartphones. The AI assigns a health score on a five-point scale, from “very healthy” to “worrying.” The data is then plotted on an interactive map, accessible for free, helping local governments plan which trees need care or replacement.
“We heard that the preservation of sakura requires manpower and money and that it’s difficult to gather information,” said Risa Shioda of Kirin in an AFP report. “I think we can contribute by making it easier to plan for conservation.”
Many of Japan’s cherry trees are between 70 and 80 years old — past their peak blooming years — and maintaining them is becoming increasingly expensive. For instance, Meguro Ward in Tokyo, known for its sakura-lined riverbanks, estimates that replanting a single cherry tree can cost around one million yen (about $6,800).
Tree expert Hiroyuki Wada, who helped oversee the development of the AI, believes the tool is not just useful — it’s necessary. “I’m very worried. Changes in the environment are usually gradual, but now it’s visible,” he said, noting how rising temperatures and reduced rainfall have affected tree health. “The age of the trees naturally makes the situation more serious.”
So far, over 20,000 photos have been submitted since the tool launched last month, offering a promising start for what could become a nationwide effort to safeguard a national symbol.
Kirin, whose beverages are a staple at hanami (flower-viewing) picnics, started donating a portion of its earnings to sakura preservation last year as a way of giving back. For the Japanese, cherry blossoms are more than just seasonal beauty — they’re a fleeting symbol of life’s impermanence, change, and renewal.
