Japan celebrates cherry blossoms season without Covid-19 restrictions

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Japan Celebrates Cherry Blossoms Season Without Covid-19 Restrictions
Japan Cherry Blossoms Photo Gallery, © AP/Press Association Images
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By Associated Press Reporters

People across Japan are celebrating the peak cherry blossom viewing season this week without Covid-19 restrictions in place for the first time in two years.

But many are limiting their viewing to strolling under the trees rather than drinking and eating in traditional party style.

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Japan Cherry Blossoms Photo Gallery
People stop to take pictures as they walk under a canopy of cherry blossoms in full bloom at a park in Tokyo (Kiichiro Sato/AP)

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 requested not to gather under the trees for drinking parties — a traditional way of celebrating the season — as part of continuing anti-virus measures.

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Japan Cherry Blossoms Photo Gallery
Visitors stroll under a shower of cherry blossoms in full bloom at a Shinto shrine in Tokyo (Shuji Kajiyama/AP)

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.

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Japan Cherry Blossoms Photo Gallery
People view blooming cherry blossoms from an open tour bus in Tokyo. Cherry blossoms, or ‘sakura’, are Japan’s favourite flower (Eugene Hoshiko/AP)

Cherry blossoms, or ‘sakura’, are Japan’s favourite 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.

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Japan Daily Life
A woman wearing face mask enjoys viewing Cherry blossom in full bloom at the Chidorigafuchi Park in Tokyo (Koji Sasahara/AP)

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.

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