Tokyo’s parks and Kyoto’s temples fill with visitors as sakura reaches full bloom, marking the start of spring with traditional hanami gatherings

TOKYO: Crowds of locals and tourists flocked to Japan’s most famous cherry blossom spots to witness the dazzling flowers at their peak bloom.

The brief but spectacular season heralds the start of spring and a tradition of boisterous outdoor parties known as “hanami”.

Families and friends gathered at parks, temples and cemeteries over the weekend to picnic under the blooming trees.

Japanese people hold “very special feelings for sakura”, said Tokyo resident Akiko Nyman, 48, in the capital’s crowded Ueno park.

“We love it, because it is so short… it doesn’t last long, it comes every year, something very special,” she said.

Weather forecasters closely track the blossom’s peak in each city, advising on the best days for viewing.

Officials in the ancient capital of Kyoto declared full bloom after examining a sample tree at Nijo-jo Castle.

“We observed the cherry blossoms in full bloom on March 30,” the Kyoto Local Meteorological Office said.

Australian tourist Olivia Martell-Groves wore a flower-printed kimono to marvel at the seasonal spectacle.

“We wanted to see them because they’re really pretty, good photo opportunities and something you can only see in certain times of the year,” she said.

The blossoms in Tokyo reached full bloom over the weekend, beginning their brief period of stunning beauty.

The flowers symbolise both youthful energy and the fragility of life in Japanese culture.

The season also marks the start of the new business year and a time of farewells for graduates and professionals.

 The Sun Malaysia