03/04/2026

FRIDAY | APR 3, 2026

23

LYFE

The tiny white and pink petals of cherry flowers, known as sakura, herald the start of spring in Japan.

Above: People gather for cherry blossom viewing, also known as hanami , at Kinshi Park in Tokyo.

Blossoming in Japan

A bee is seen on a cherry blossom in search of nectar in Tokyo.

‘Good photo opportunity’ “We observed the cherry blossoms in full bloom on March 30,” Kyoto Local Meteorological Office said. Cherry flowers at ancient temples and shrines in Kyoto are particularly popular among visitors and locals. Australian tourist Olivia Martell-Groves went all in for the seasonal experience and donned a flower-printed kimono while marvelling at the flowers. “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... and also it just feels so peaceful and nice,” she said.

hanami or flower viewing gatherings. Japanese people hold “very special feelings for sakura”, said Tokyo resident Akiko Nyman, 48, as she admired flowers in crowded Ueno park in the centre of the capital. “We love it, because it is so short... it doesn’t last long, it comes every year, something very special,” she said. At this time of the year, weather forecasters are laser-focused on when the blossom will peak in each city, and they advise excited residents on the best weather days for picnics and how long the flowers might last. In the ancient capital of Kyoto, officials earlier this week declared full bloom after examining a sample tree within the grounds of Nijo-jo Castle, a world heritage site.

Tokyo Aqua Symphony fountain set to become new landmark A massive fountain featuring elaborate water shows recently opened on Tokyo’s Odaiba waterfront and is expected to become a new landmark in the capital, Kyodo News reported. The Tokyo Aqua Symphony, described by the metropolitan government as one of the world’s largest fountains, can shoot water as high as 150m, spans 250m and features a cherry blossom motif. Shows featuring water jets choreographed to music and lights are planned at the fountain, with the potential to attract 30 million people annually and generate an economic impact of 9.8 billion yen (RM248 million), according to the Tokyo government. Construction at Odaiba Seaside Park began in July last year, costing about 2.6 billion yen. Annual operating costs are expected to total around 200 million yen. At a recent ceremony to mark the opening of the fountain, Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike said: “We hope to create a new flow of people and will make efforts to become a city that can entertain people day and night.” Spectators clapped along to the water and-light performance, with landmarks such as Tokyo Tower and the Rainbow Bridge in the background. – Bernama-Kyodo It is also a time of farewells, when school graduates leave their hometown while many corporate professionals receive assignments in new cities. – AFP In Tokyo, the flowers reached full bloom during the weekend, entering a brief period of stunning beauty, before the petals will fall like flurries of snow. The flowers symbolise the youthful energy and the fragility of life in Japanese culture as full blooms only last about a week. The season marks the start of the new business year when university graduates join the work force.

J APANESE locals and tourists packed the country’s most stunning cherry blossom spots this week to enjoy the dazzling flowers at full bloom. The tiny white and pink petals of cherry flowers, known as sakura, herald the start of spring in Japan, and full bloom ushers in a brief period of boisterous outdoor parties held by residents. Across the nation, families and friends rolled out blankets and tarpaulins at parks, temples and even cemeteries over the weekend to eat and drink under cherry trees for traditional o Locals, tourists flock to see sakura at full bloom

A woman photographs cherry blossom trees in Tokyo. – ALL PICS FROM AFP