8 April

People in northeastern Japan are starting to enjoy blooming cherry blossoms.

In Shiroishi City, Miyagi Prefecture, many people are coming to see and photograph more than 300 cherry trees that are in full bloom in the grounds of a restored castle.

In neighboring Fukushima Prefecture, visitors are flocking to a park in Fukushima City where different varieties of cherry tree are starting to bloom.

Some visitors took photos of the flowers and posted them on social media with their smartphones.

One of the volunteer guides at the park said she wants more people to come and feel soothed by looking at the blooming flowers.

NHK