Crowds Bask In Sun, 'Sakura' In Tokyo's Ueno Park

TOKYO (Nikkei)--Tokyoites made merry in Ueno Park on Wednesday, enjoying some early cherry blossoms on a balmy first day of spring.

With a high temperature of 20.8 C, it felt like late April in the sunshine.

Holidaymakers picnicked and snapped photos next to about 1,000 pink-garbed "sakura" trees halfway to full bloom. Apparently more willing to spend, perhaps on expectations for "Abenomics," people lined up to buy food from street vendors.

"We come every year, but (this year) it worked out perfectly because the trees were in bloom on a holiday," said a contented Koto Ward man with his wife and son.

The park's sakura will likely be in full bloom this weekend, according to administrators. The Japan Meteorological Agency issued its "blossom declaration" for Tokyo on Saturday, which tied the record for the earliest bloom in the area.

(The Nikkei, March 21 morning edition)

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