Tokyo: The crowds might be thinner and parties smaller, but warnings from officials over the coronavirus have done little to stop Japanese from celebrating as the country’s famed cherry trees explode into bloom.
Over a warm long weekend in Tokyo, people packed into traditional blossom hotspots, many not even wearing face masks, to admire the fluffy white and pink flowers hanging from delicate stems.
Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike admitted that taking cherry blossom parties away from Japanese was like “taking hugs away from Italians”, but urged people to avoid gathering in large groups to drink and snack under the trees.
“I come here every year. I feel bad if I miss it,” said Etsuo Fujisawa, a 57-year-old dental technician as he walked through the city’s Ueno Park, where 800 cherry trees are in full bloom.
The sides of the main street were roped off, with signs saying “no party zones” posted to discourage picnickers.
“There are more people than I thought,” Fujisawa added.
At another popular spot, the Chidorigafuchi park and walking path, a sign warned that while “awesome cherry blossoms will cause thousands of people to gather here ... please refrain from enjoying eating and drinking”.
Nearby, a group of women sat picnicking, none of them wearing face masks.
Loudspeakers in Ueno Park blared messages warning against gatherings, and there was little sign of the massive company parties that are popular during the season.
But there were plenty of small groups and couples sitting close to each other on mats and drinking and eating under the cherry trees.
Yuichiro Tanaka, a vegetable wholesaler, was picnicking with friends despite the warnings.
“We are told to exercise self-restraint but I wanted to have one party at least,” he said, describing hanami – flower viewing – as “the real joy of spring”.
But Tanaka said he had taken some heed of the official advice.
“Usually we have hanami parties every weekend during the flower season, but this year we do this only once, only today.”
The cherry blossom season is one of Japan’s most important national events, with weather forecasters competing every year to offer the most accurate predictions on the first blossoms in major cities. — AFP
Over a warm long weekend in Tokyo, people packed into traditional blossom hotspots, many not even wearing face masks, to admire the fluffy white and pink flowers hanging from delicate stems.
Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike admitted that taking cherry blossom parties away from Japanese was like “taking hugs away from Italians”, but urged people to avoid gathering in large groups to drink and snack under the trees.
“I come here every year. I feel bad if I miss it,” said Etsuo Fujisawa, a 57-year-old dental technician as he walked through the city’s Ueno Park, where 800 cherry trees are in full bloom.
The sides of the main street were roped off, with signs saying “no party zones” posted to discourage picnickers.
“There are more people than I thought,” Fujisawa added.
At another popular spot, the Chidorigafuchi park and walking path, a sign warned that while “awesome cherry blossoms will cause thousands of people to gather here ... please refrain from enjoying eating and drinking”.
Nearby, a group of women sat picnicking, none of them wearing face masks.
Loudspeakers in Ueno Park blared messages warning against gatherings, and there was little sign of the massive company parties that are popular during the season.
But there were plenty of small groups and couples sitting close to each other on mats and drinking and eating under the cherry trees.
Yuichiro Tanaka, a vegetable wholesaler, was picnicking with friends despite the warnings.
“We are told to exercise self-restraint but I wanted to have one party at least,” he said, describing hanami – flower viewing – as “the real joy of spring”.
But Tanaka said he had taken some heed of the official advice.
“Usually we have hanami parties every weekend during the flower season, but this year we do this only once, only today.”
The cherry blossom season is one of Japan’s most important national events, with weather forecasters competing every year to offer the most accurate predictions on the first blossoms in major cities. — AFP
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