NHK


 

Visitors to a garden near Tokyo are enjoying cherry trees that are blooming earlier than usual in the warm weather.

Hokoen garden is near the southern tip of the Boso Peninsula in Chiba Prefecture, known for its mild climate and flower production.

The garden has about 50 Gancho-zakura trees, a cherry variety that usually blossoms in the cold weather before spring.

The Minamiboso City Tourism Association says warm weather since autumn caused the cherry trees to blossom at the end of last year, 20 days earlier than usual.

The warm weather on Saturday attracted many visitors to Hokoen. They strolled through the garden and took pictures of the cherry blossoms. They also enjoyed scenic views of the ocean.

A man in his 70s from nearby Tateyama City said he was glad to visit on a sunny day and hopes to come back again next year.

The tourism association's Toriumi Tatsuo said the early variety is nearing full bloom. He invited people to come and enjoy the signs of spring.

The Gancho-zakura blossoms at the garden can be viewed through early February.