In Adachi Ward, Tokyo, the annual Cherry Blossom Festival was held early and was crowded with many people.
Over 1,000 cherry trees, including Yoshino cherry trees, are planted at Toneri Park in Adachi Ward, where the ``Senbonzakura Festival'' is held every year.
This year, as the cherry blossoms have been blooming earlier in recent years, the event was moved two weeks earlier than usual, starting on the 23rd, but most of the Yoshino cherry trees in the park remained in bud on the 24th.
Still, many families and others came to the venue, buying sweets and beer from around 150 local shops and enjoying them while watching the cherry blossoms approach blooming.
A father in his 30s who visited with his elementary school children said, ``I was disappointed that I couldn't see the cherry blossoms in bloom, but there were many stalls, so I'm glad I was able to enjoy the atmosphere with my children.''
Mitsuho Sakata, secretary general of the Adachi City Tourism Exchange Association, which organized the event, said, ``We had to postpone the event because it had been held after the cherry blossoms had fallen, but it was difficult to time the event with the cherry blossoms blooming, so it's a shame. I feel relieved because they seem to be enjoying themselves."