An annual cherry blossom festival has begun at a park in Japan’s northeastern city of Hirosaki in Aomori Prefecture.
Hirosaki Park is one of the most famous cherry blossom spots in Japan. It is home to about 2,600 cherry trees of around 50 varieties. The festival was initially set to begin on Friday. But the event was moved up to Wednesday since forecasters predicted the Somei-yoshino variety would start blooming on the day.
Hirosaki Mayor Sakurada Hiroshi spoke at the opening ceremony. He said Hirosaki City had the highest snow accumulation in recorded history but he appreciates the arrival of spring even more after the severe winter. He said he wants visitors to enjoy what he believes is the country’s most beautiful cherry blossoms.
Park staff checked the benchmark tree in the afternoon but could not announce the start of cherry blossoms as the buds had not opened yet.
Hashiba Makiko, a city official, said it rained a bit during the day and temperatures did not rise, preventing the flowers from blossoming. She said they are likely to bloom very soon.
A woman from Aichi Prefecture who came with her friend said the cherry trees had not blossomed yet but she enjoyed the festive mood of the food stalls at the park. She said she wants to visit the park again on Thursday.