Somei-yoshino cherries in central Tokyo are forecast to bloom on March 17. That is nine days earlier than average and four days earlier than last year. Cherries along the Edo Castle (Imperial Palace) moat in front of the Palaceside Building have taken on a pink cast overall =photo above. In close-up you can see the buds have swollen quite a bit =photo right.
COVID-19 has left many people feeling low, so a cherry-blossom change of mood — well, that is not likely to be easy.
So, disappointing news. The annual "Chiyoda Sakura Festival" (March 25–April 5, hosted by Chiyoda Ward and the Chiyoda Tourism Association) has been canceled. The photo at the end is the Chiyoda Tourism Association homepage announcing the cancellation. The festival's main event, the familiar Chidorigafuchi light-up, is off. The ward-run Chidorigafuchi boat pond has been closed since March 1, and there will be no evening hours to match the lights.
A free shuttle bus "Sakura Karugamo-go" for blossom viewers was to run again this year on Saturday, March 28 and Sunday, March 29, with the usual temporary stop "Takebashi Mainichi Newspapers" on the ward road under the expressway behind (north of) the Palaceside Building, just before Uchibori-dori — but that too is gone.
Every year the festival issues a booklet titled "Chiyoda Sakura Festival Official Guide MAP." Photo left is last year's; this year printing was already under way, so it will be issued with the cover changed to "Chiyoda Sakura Official MAP" (an "apology" is to appear on the back cover).
Inside pages were basically made on the assumption the festival would be held; there was no time to change them, so they will be issued as is. Depending on how the novel virus develops, listed events may change or be canceled; please understand, the organizers say.
The Palaceside Building also planned a special Sunday opening on March 29, when it is normally closed; that too may be canceled. Please understand.
