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)
TOKYO — 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.
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.
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)
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.
A visitor takes a picture 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 on boat view cherry blossoms in full bloom at the Chidorigafuchi palace moat in Tokyo Monday, March 28, 2022. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara)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)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)Visitors view seasonal cherry blossoms from a pedestrian bridge in the Roppongi district, Thursday, March 31, 2022, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
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