But there were plenty of small groups and couples sitting close to each other on mats drinking and eating under the cherry trees. Yuichiro Tanaka, a vegetable wholesaler, was picnicking with friends despite the warnings. "We are told to exercise self-restraint but I wanted to have one party at least," Tanaka said, describing hanami - flower viewing - as "the real joy of spring". But he said he had taken some heed of the official advice. "Usually we have hanami parties every weekend during the flower season, but this year we do this only once, only today."| People, some wearing protective masks, picnic under cherry trees in bloom at Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden in Tokyo, Japan, on Sunday, March 22, 2020
Bloomberg