Sakura or Ume Blossoms in January?

We were returning from Ueno Park on Saturday and noticed a photographer taking pictures of this tree. Seems that this tree is starting to bloom. The only problem is that if this is a Japanese Cherry, you wouldn't expect blossoms in January...Perhaps these are Ume but I couldn't detect any fragerance?


Typically the cherry blossoms come out in late March or early April, and Ume February or March.  These are at least a month early.