A woman takes a picture of the cherry blossom at Chidorigafuchi in Tokyo, Monday, March 26, 2018. Japan's famous cherry blossoms have reached full bloom in Tokyo as spring-like weather descends on the nation's capital.(AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi)
The Associated Press
TOKYO (AP) - Japan's famous cherry blossoms have reached full bloom in Tokyo as spring-like weather descends on the nation's capital.
Crowds flocked Monday to popular spots in much of Japan to enjoy the sea of delicate pink and white blooms.
Some laid down picnic sheets at Shinjuku Gyoen, a former imperial garden in the heart of Tokyo, to enjoy "hanami," the custom of blossom viewing. Eating and drinking under the trees is a popular pastime.
People young and old strolled beneath a canopy of cherry blossoms on a walkway along the Meguro River, also in central Tokyo. Some stopped to take selfies or close-ups of the blooms.
"There are of course so many beautiful flowers, but nothing compares to the cherry blossom," said one, Hiroko Igarashi.
Tourists and Tokyo residents paddled in rowboats in a picturesque moat lined with overhanging cherry trees outside the Imperial Palace.
The blooms in Tokyo are expected to last until the end of this week.
Cherry blossom flowers are reflected on a pond at Shinjuku Gyoen national garden in Tokyo, Monday, March 26, 2018. Cherry blossom flowers are at full bloom in Tokyo, Japan as it warms up for the spring season.(AP Photo/Koji Sasahara)
The Associated Press
Visitors gather for flower viewing at Shinjuku Gyoen national garden in Tokyo, as cherry blossom flowers are at full bloom Monday, March 26, 2018. Japan warms up for the spring season. These flowers only last about a week but people are flocking to hot spots throughout Japan to enjoy the scenic sights.(AP Photo/Koji Sasahara)
The Associated Press
Visitors gather for flower viewing at Shinjuku Gyoen national garden in Tokyo, as cherry blossom flowers are at full bloom Monday, March 26, 2018. Japan warms up for the spring season. These flowers only last about a week but people are flocking to hot spots throughout Japan to enjoy the scenic sights.(AP Photo/Koji Sasahara)
The Associated Press
Visitors enjoy the cherry-blossom viewing at a park in Tokyo, Monday, March 26, 2018. Cherry blossom flowers are at full bloom in Tokyo, Japan as it warms up for the spring season. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara)
The Associated Press
Visitors enjoy the cherry-blossom viewing at Shinjuku Gyoen national garden in Tokyo, Monday, March 26, 2018. At the garden, people laid down picnic sheets to enjoy "hanami," which is a Japanese custom of flower viewing. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara)
The Associated Press
Visitors enjoy the cherry-blossom viewing at Shinjuku Gyoen national garden in Tokyo, Monday, March 26, 2018. At the garden, people laid down picnic sheets to enjoy "hanami," which is a Japanese custom of flower viewing. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara)
The Associated Press
A woman walks through cherry-blossom trees at Chidorigafuchi in Tokyo, Monday, March 26, 2018. Japan's famous cherry blossoms have reached full bloom in Tokyo as spring-like weather descends on the nation's capital. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi)
The Associated Press
Visitors on boats enjoy Someiyoshino cherry blossoms at Chitorigafuchi Imperial Palace moat in Tokyo, Monday, March 26, 2018. Japan's famous cherry blossoms have reached full bloom in Tokyo as spring-like weather descends on the nation's capital. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi)
The Associated Press
Visitors on boat enjoy Someiyoshino cherry blossoms at Chitorigafuchi in Tokyo, Monday, March 26, 2018. Japan's famous cherry blossoms have reached full bloom in Tokyo as spring-like weather descends on the nation's capital.(AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi)
The Associated Press
A family takes a picture of cherry blossom flowers at full bloom at Chidorigafuchi in Tokyo, Monday, March 26, 2018. Japan's famous cherry blossoms have reached full bloom in Tokyo as spring-like weather descends on the nation's capital. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi)
The Associated Press
A woman takes a picture of the cherry blossom at full bloom at Shinjuku Gyoen national garden in Tokyo, Monday, March 26, 2018. These flowers only last about a week but people are flocking to hot spots throughout Japan to enjoy the scenic sights. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara)
The Associated Press