Society | Apr 23

Cherry blossom festival in northern Japan opens

Visitors to a park in the city of Hirosaki in northern Japan's Aomori Prefecture have been enjoying the breathtaking sight of about 2,600 blossoming cherry trees.

A festival to celebrate the seasonal spectacle is being held at a park surrounding Hirosaki Castle. This year marks the festival's 100th anniversary.

As part of the celebration, the Air Self-Defense Force's "Blue Impulse" aerobatics display team gave a performance above cheering crowds.

City officials say that the blossoms are expected to reach their peak on Tuesday.

A woman from neighboring Akita Prefecture said she loves the cherry blossoms in Hirosaki and that she wants to come again next year.

The festival runs through May 6th.

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