Cherry blossoms are delighting visitors to Lake Kawaguchi near Mount Fuji.
A festival to celebrate the blossoms is underway in Fujikawaguchiko Town at the foot of Japan’s highest peak. 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 overtourism 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.
In addition to cherry blossoms, tourists from inside and outside Japan enjoyed the view of Mount Fuji under a clear sky on Wednesday.
A 13-year-old girl from Germany said the blooms are very beautiful.
A man from Gunma Prefecture said he had been worried that the blossoms would fall due to recent rain. He said he was happy to see Mount Fuji as well.
A woman from Hyogo Prefecture said the beautiful sight of the blossoms in full bloom helped her forget her troubles.
The organizers had planned to hold the festival through Sunday, but they say they decided to push back its end by three days to April 15 because the blossoms are still at their peak.
AloJapan.com