After last week’s official cherry-blossom declaration in central Tokyo, the public opening of Inui-dori at the Imperial Palace began on the weekend of the 21st. On Monday the 23rd the morning was mixed with light rain, but sunshine spread in the afternoon and the temperature rose to 16°C, drawing many people out to enjoy the spring weather.
Inui-dori runs about 750 meters from Sakashita-mon on the Marunouchi side, past the Imperial Household Agency building, to Inui-mon on the Kitanomaru Park side. Along the way stand some 100 cherry trees—Somei Yoshino, mountain cherries, weeping cherries, and others. Visitors photographed the blossoms, which have only just begun to open, while savoring the atmosphere of the Imperial Palace.
The public opening lasts nine days, through Sunday the 29th of this month. The Palaceside Building is normally closed on Sundays and holidays, but it will open specially on the 29th.