The cherry blossoms are expected to be in full bloom in Tokyo and Fukuoka on the 27th.
When we interviewed 40 places such as major parks nationwide about the cherry-blossom viewing season in the third year of the corona disaster, we found that the restrictions were relaxed in one-third compared to last year, such as allowing a small number of people to drink. I did.
According to a private weather company, cherry blossoms are expected to be in full bloom in central Tokyo, Kochi, and Fukuoka on Sunday, 27th, and the cherry-blossom viewing season will begin as all priority measures such as preventing the spread of new corona measures are lifted.
Experts from the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare's expert meeting say that cherry blossom viewing while eating lunch with the family is low risk, but they are calling for thorough infection control measures such as making loud noises and avoiding long-term drinking.
NHK visits more than 200,000 people every year and asks local governments that manage 40 places such as parks, which are famous for cherry blossoms all over the country, whether to limit the eating and drinking of visitors during the cherry blossom viewing season.
Regarding meals, 35 places allowed small groups and conditions such as short time, and 5 places asked for self-restraint.
Regarding drinking, 23 places were conditionally allowed and 17 places were seeking self-restraint.
However, even in places where drinking is permitted, we are seeking to refrain from banqueting with a large number of people.
In addition, compared to last year, there were 14 places where restrictions were relaxed, such as allowing Kanagawa Prefectural Parks to eat and drink after thorough infection control measures, accounting for 35% of the total.
On the other hand, five places such as Ueno Park in Tokyo, which was visited by more than 3 million people before the Corona disaster, continue to take strict measures such as prohibiting not only drinking but also eating, and judgments are divided.
The manager said, "There was a request to make it possible to see the cherry blossoms as much as possible, and the range of access restrictions was reduced." It is unavoidable to ban it. "
What is your expectation of Yoshino cherry blossoms in full bloom?
According to the Yoshino cherry blossom forecast announced on the 24th, it is expected to be in full bloom on the 27th at the following location.
▽ Central Tokyo
▽ Kochi City
▽ Fukuoka City
Other expected dates of full bloom.
▽ Hiroshima City is 29th of this month
▽ Kagoshima City and Nagoya City are 30th of this month
▽ Osaka City is 31st of this month
▽ Sendai City is April 9th
▽ Niigata City is April 10th ▽ Sapporo City is in
full bloom
such as April 29th
It is expected that the time will be earlier than normal from Kyushu to Tohoku, and considerably earlier in Hokkaido.
Kanagawa Prefecture Allows eating and drinking at lectures for the first time in 3 years
Kanagawa Prefecture has decided to approve the eating and drinking of cherry-blossom viewing visitors in the park managed by the prefecture for the first time in three years after calling for infection control measures.
At 32 parks managed by Kanagawa Prefecture, it was last year that people were called to refrain from eating and drinking due to the spread of the new corona infection. I am.
At Mitsuike Park in Tsurumi Ward, Yokohama City, where there are about 1600 cherry blossoms, a sticker is posted at the entrance and in a place where cherry blossom viewing visitors can easily gather, for a short time when eating and drinking, with a small number of people calling for wearing a mask. It has been.
In addition, we will be careful if the staff patrols the park and eats and drinks for several hours or makes a loud noise.
A man in his 60s who was visiting said, "While I can't let my guard down, I don't think I can keep the restrictions stricter."
A woman in her twenties with her one-year-old son said, "I'd be happy to be able to see the cherry blossoms while eating and drinking. People who like alcohol should also enjoy it with moderation."
Ken Uchiyama, a park management company, said, "Since the cancellation of priority measures such as prevention of spread coincided with the time when the cherry blossoms bloom beautifully, I would like you to enjoy cherry blossom viewing with moderation."
Ueno Park does not allow eating or drinking for 3 consecutive years
Ueno Park in Taito Ward, Tokyo, one of the most famous cherry blossom viewing spots in Japan, does not allow cherry blossom viewing visitors to eat or drink for the third consecutive year.
On the 24th, about 800 cherry blossoms were in full bloom and there were many cherry blossom viewing visitors even in the daytime, but the visitors were not able to find people wearing masks and eating and drinking.
Every year, a fence was set up to prevent people from entering the place where the cherry-blossom viewing visitors spread their seats and have a banquet, and there was a sticker on the street stating "Please refrain from banqueting with seats."
A woman in her twenties who visited the cherry blossom viewing said, "I planned to buy bread two weeks ago and brought a leisure sheet, but I'm sorry. I'm going to enjoy the flowers purely while walking." ..
The Tokyo Park Division, which has jurisdiction over Ueno Park, said, "Since the cherry blossom viewing season is more crowded with visitors and the risk of infection increases, we take special measures only during the cherry blossom viewing season. I want you to enjoy the cherry blossom viewing without it. "
Expert "Be careful when gathering in large numbers"
Regarding the points to note about cherry blossom viewing, Professor Koji Wada of the International University of Health and Welfare, a member of the expert meeting of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, said, "We are increasing what we can do while referring to the rules required for restaurants to have as few people as possible and in a short time. You need to go. If you just walk and see the cherry blossoms, the infection will not spread, and if you are a family member who usually lives with you, you do not need to limit your eating by spreading your lunch. On the other hand, drinking There is a risk of infection if we gather in large numbers, so we still need to be careful. "
Regarding not only cherry blossom viewing but also the chances of eating and drinking that increase before and after the new year, "It is important to have people think about the frequency of meetings. The incubation period of the Omicron strain is 2 to 3 days, so if you are infected at the meeting. Symptoms appear in about 2 to 3 days. It is good to have a period of once or twice a week while checking the physical condition, but it is possible to spread the infection if the frequency increases or if the members are changed each time. If you have symptoms such as coughing, sore throat, or fever, the virus will remain for about a week, so make sure you don't go to a place to eat or drink. "