FUKUSHIMA -- About 3,000 oyamazakura cherry trees have reached full bloom on the Sakuratoge ridge in Kita-Shiobara, Fukushima Prefecture.
In 2001, to celebrate the birth of Princess Aiko, the daughter of the Emperor and Empress, people across the nation who joined a tree ownership program planted 2,001 oyamazakura cherry trees the following year. Since then, planting of additional cherry tress has continued on the ridge.
The annual Sakuratoge cherry blossom festival was canceled again this year to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus following the cancellation of last year's festival.
According to the municipality's commerce, industry and tourism section, the cherry trees are likely to remain in full bloom until the end of this week.
"We hope people will keep their distance from each other and view the flowers quietly," an official of the section said.
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