The public opening of Inui-dori at the Imperial Palace, which began last weekend on the 23rd, had been dogged by rain and clouds, but the 27th finally brought blue skies and lively crowds. Tokyo has not yet declared Somei-yoshino in bloom, yet some cherries have started to open, and visitors were enjoying spring at the palace.
The high exceeded 16 degrees on the 27th, and foreign tourists and families entered one after another from Sakashita-mon, drawn by the warm sun. About 100 cherry trees — Somei-yoshino, weeping cherry and others — line the roughly 750-meter avenue to Inui-mon. Most are still in bud, but some have begun to flower, and people were photographing them.
Inui-dori is open to the public for nine days through the 31st of this month. No advance application is required.