'When You Look at the Flowers, Everyone Smiles' - Cherry Blossoms Provide Cheer in Japan

Fewer people were outdoors enjoying festivities associated with Hanami, or the cherry blossom season, in Japan, but the blossoms were helping those nervous about the coronavirus, according to an administrator of a Shizuoka temple’s Facebook page.

Japan’s Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, announced a state of emergency for parts of the country on April 7. The measures affected Tokyo, Osaka, and five other regions or prefectures, NHK reported.

Meanwhile in Shiuzuoka, as the footage in this entry shows, cherry blossoms, associated in Japan with spring and rebirth, were in full bloom.

The source of this footage told Storyful that fewer people were taking part in Hanami, the custom of viewing the blossoms and holding celebrations with friends and family, but that the blossoms can help those who are nervous about coronavirus.

“When you look at the flowers, everyone smiles,” the source said, according to an online translation. Credit: Nichiren sect Daisenji Temple via Storyful