Photo/Illutration Cherry blossoms are in full bloom along a street in Tomioka, Fukushima Prefecture, on April 9. This is the first time in 12 years the entire street has opened to the public since restrictions prohibiting entry to “specified reconstruction and recovery zones” were relaxed in January. (Takayuki Kakuno)

TOMIOKA, Fukushima Prefecture--For the first time in more than a decade, the public can enjoy “hanami” viewing along the entire stretch of a street in the Yonomori district famed for its rows of cherry blossom trees.

At a local cherry blossom festival held on April 9 and 10, families and couples admired the well-known “sakura tunnel,” where tree branches with their flowers in full bloom arch over the road to form a canopy that paints the street a vivid pink.

A 63-year-old man who works as a security guard had to view the street’s cherry blossoms from behind a barrier last year due to the safety restrictions.

“It is good to be able to bathe in falling cherry blossom petals this year,” he said. “I’m looking forward to the ‘sakura carpet,’ (when) the entire street is painted pink with fallen petals.”

The district was a no-go zone until recently due to the triple meltdown at the nearby Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant caused by the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami.

However, since the entry to areas designated “specified reconstruction and recovery zones” was relaxed in January, anyone is now allowed into the district, including the entire 2.2-kilometer stretch of the street.

Related News