The Japanese still enthusiastically celebrate the cherry blossom season.

Cherry blossoms bloom only once a year, and holding cherry blossom viewing parties in parks has become an indispensable tradition for the Japanese. This cultural aspect also attracts millions of international tourists to visit the Land of the Rising Sun every March and April.

This year, due to the increasingly complex Covid-19 pandemic situation, border closures (by various countries), and the cancellation of cherry blossom festivals in some parts of Japan, many tourists missed the cherry blossom season. However, nothing could stop the Japanese people from flocking to the streets to celebrate the blooming season.

Following the Japanese government's recommendations, since the beginning of March, people have been advised to limit gatherings in public places. Large festivals and events have been canceled, postponed, or suspended indefinitely. Large parks have also been closed, and parties, if held, have been significantly reduced in scale. However, the cherry blossom season cannot be missed. That is why, from last weekend until now, Tokyo residents have been gathering in small groups in parks to admire the blossoms.

Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike acknowledged that preventing Japanese people from holding cherry blossom parties is like "preventing Italians from hugging." To ensure safety, she urged people to avoid gathering in large groups to drink and snack under the trees.

"I come here every year to see the cherry blossoms; I would feel terrible if I missed it," Etsuo Fujisawa, a Tokyo resident, told an AFP reporter as he strolled through the city's Ueno Park, where 800 cherry trees are in full bloom.

Despite numerous signs prohibiting parties to deter picnickers, many people still flocked to parks or spilled onto the streets to admire the blossoms. At Ueno Park, small groups and couples were seen sitting together on mats under the cherry trees, eating and enjoying the flowers.

Similarly, at Chidorigafuchi Park and the nearby walking path, there was a warning message against eating and partying, but groups of people were still having picnics, and none of them were wearing masks.

"We've been asked to limit our movements, but I want to have at least one party because this is the real joy of spring," Yuichiro Tanaka, who came to the park for a picnic with friends, told reporters. "Normally we have hanami parties every weekend during the cherry blossom season, but this year we're only doing it once, just today," another person said.

As of March 27th, Japan had 1,387 people who tested positive for the Covid-19 virus, with 47 deaths.

Ha Le