After the particularly frosty winter, peaking at the January snowstorm, Tokyo’s inhabitants finally thought it was safe to say springtime has arrived. We enjoyed agreeable temperatures all last week and started to plan our cherry blossom-orientated activities.

But as we all enjoyed a public holiday on Wednesday (the Vernal Equinox, ironically considered the first day of spring), white flakes started to drift down from the sky. Although the weather forecast had warned us, no one really believed it would happen until it did.

But instead of being disappointed, many rushed out to capture the rare and beautiful crossover of snow and cherry blossoms.

It's uncommon to see Japan's quintessential symbol of spring covered in snow, but this isn't the first time the phenomenon has occurred. It also happened in spring 2015, when photographer KAGAYA (@KAGAYA_11949) took this mesmerising video.

Usually Japanese people enjoy cherry blossom season by taking part in 'hanami', going to a sakura spot while it's in full bloom and sitting down for a picnic or taking a walk.

The harsh weather may have put a damper on those plans for Wednesday, but it looks set to clear up and hopefully the blossoms will have survived the frost to be fully enjoyed this weekend!