Cherry blossoms near Mt. Fuji

Cherry blossoms are delighting visitors to Lake Kawaguchi near Mount Fuji, Japan. A festival to celebrate the blossoms is underway in Fujikawaguchiko Town.

About 200 Somei-yoshino cherry trees on the north side of Lake Kawaguchi — the main venue of the event — are at their best. A similar festival was canceled in a neighboring city this year as over tourism has become a serious problem. The event in the town is being held as usual. The organizers point out that the festival venues are located some distance from residential districts.  The organizers had planned to hold the festival through Sunday, but they said they decided to push back its end by three days to April 15 because the blossoms are still at their peak.