Japan enjoys peak cherry blossoms, but no party
People are celebrating Japan's peak cherry blossom viewing season without COVID-19 restrictions for the first time in two years. But many are strolling under the trees rather than drinking and eating in traditional party style.
Trees are in full bloom this week in many parts of Japan. They peaked in Tokyo on Sunday, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency, attracting many people who had avoided participating in the national tradition for two years because of the pandemic.
In many areas, viewers were asked not to gather under the trees for drinking parties — a traditional way of celebrating the season — as part of continuing anti-virus measures.
A Japanese white-eye, also known as Mejiro, drinks the nectar of a cherry blossom in Tokyo, Japan, Wednesday, March 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
Visitors view seasonal cherry blossoms from a pedestrian bridge in the Roppongi district, Thursday, March 31, 2022, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
At Yoyogi and Ueno parks, areas were roped off to prevent people from sitting down and partying. Many parks put up signs forbidding parties with alcohol.
At Chidorigafuchi Park, a famous “hanami” or cherry blossom viewing spot northwest of the Imperial Palace, thousands of people admired the fluffy pale pink flowers while strolling under rows of trees or from rowboats on the palace moat.
Cherry blossoms, or “sakura,” are Japan’s favorite flower and usually reach their peak in late March to early April, just as the country celebrates the start of a new school and business year.
In Shinjuku Gyoen in downtown Tokyo, many people including families picnicked under the trees. The popular blossom viewing area of Nakameguro was full of people walking along a river lined with cherry blossom trees.
Japan lifted all formal COVID-19 restrictions last week after infections slowed, but experts have raised concerns about a resurgence prompted by people gathering and traveling during spring holidays.
People on boat view cherry blossoms in full bloom at the Chidorigafuchi palace moat in Tokyo Monday, March 28, 2022. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara)
Women wearing traditional Kimono outfits take a rickshaw ride under a canopy of the cherry blossoms in full bloom Thursday, March 31, 2022, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato)
Visitors stroll under a shower of cherry blossoms in full bloom at a Shinto shrine in Tokyo, Thursday, March 31, 2022, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
People gather under cherry blossoms in full bloom at a park for a traditional flower viewing called "Hanami" to celebrate the spring season Wednesday, March 30, 2022, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato)
People wearing face masks stroll under cherry blossoms in full bloom at the Zojoji Buddhist temple in Tokyo Tuesday, March 29, 2022. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara)
People wearing face masks view seasonal cherry blossoms at the Sumida Park on Monday, March 28, 2022, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
People view blooming cherry blossoms from an open tour bus Thursday, March 31, 2022, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
People stop to take pictures as they walk under a canopy of cherry blossoms in full bloom at a park Thursday, March 31, 2022, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato)
A man wearing a protective mask to help curb the spread of the coronavirus view the seasonal cherry blossoms at the Ueno Park Thursday, March 24, 2022, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
In this long exposure photo, streaks of lights indicate vehicles moving under a canopy of cherry blossoms flowers lit by street lights, in Tokyo, Monday, March 28, 2022. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato)
Text from AP News story, AP PHOTOS: Japan enjoys peak cherry blossoms, but no party, by Mari Yamaguchi