People in traditional costumes paraded through the streets near a shrine in the western Japanese city of Kyoto on Thursday for an annual cherry blossom festival.
The Okasai festival is held every year on April 10 at Hirano Shrine, which is famous for its cherry blossoms. There are about 400 cherry trees at the shrine.
After a ritual, a procession was held with about 200 people taking part. They were dressed in the traditional attire of the Heian period, which lasted from the late 8th century to the 12th century. Local people lined the streets to watch.
Many cherry trees are currently in bloom. The shrine says visitors can continue to view the late-blooming varieties in the weeks to come.
A woman who came with her family said she enjoyed the ambience created by the shrine’s cherry blossoms and the festive procession.
AloJapan.com