Cherry blossoms draw crowds in Tokyo

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TOKYO (AP) — Crowds gathered in Tokyo on Friday to enjoy Japan’s famous cherry blossom trees, which in the capital are blooming later than expected due to the cold.

The cherry blossom, known as “sakura” in Japanese, is the country’s favorite, and people often hold viewing parties under the petals falling from the trees, with picnics and sake to drink.

Typically, trees bloom in late March or early April. It is the same time when the country begins a new school and business year.