TOKYO, Japan: The collapse of aging cherry blossom trees in Tokyo has raised safety concerns during Japan's peak hanami season, even as crowds continue to gather under the iconic blooms.
Many of Tokyo's Somei Yoshino cherry trees, the city's most popular variety, were planted during Japan's rapid postwar development in the 1960s and are now reaching the end of their lifespan.
Two trees fell on Thursday, one at Kinuta Park and another along the Chidorigafuchi greenway. While no one was injured, the incidents underscored growing concerns about the condition of the city's aging trees. The Kinuta Park tree damaged a fence, while the Chidorigafuchi tree nearly fell into the Imperial Palace moat.
Officials said the Kinuta Park tree was among the oldest in the area, standing 18 meters tall, with a trunk diameter of 2.5 meters, and was believed to be more than 60 years old. A separate incident in March saw another cherry tree collapse in the same park, injuring a passerby.
The issue is not isolated. According to Tokyo metropolitan official Masakazu Noguchi, 85 trees fell across Tokyo parks last year, injuring three people, with cherry trees accounting for many of the incidents.
The collapses are particularly concerning during hanami, the traditional cherry blossom viewing season, when large numbers of people gather beneath the trees.
Tokyo assembly member Yutaka Kazama recently warned on social media that "cherry blossom trees with their roots partially exposed or obviously rotten (at Kinuta park) seem dangerous," calling for stronger safety measures without immediately resorting to widespread tree removal.
Experts say aging and internal fungal growth are major contributors to the trees' deterioration. Tree specialist Hiroyuki Wada said warning signs include heavy tilting, holes in the trunk, and mushrooms growing near the base.
"Many trees in our daily lives were planted soon after the war and are now 70 to 80 years old and getting weaker," Wada said, noting that extreme summer heat and prolonged dry periods have further stressed the trees.
"I hope people think about climate change through what's happening to the cherry blossom trees, which is very symbolic," he added.
Following recent incidents, city officials have conducted inspections at major parks ahead of the peak viewing season. At Kinuta Park alone, more than 800 cherry trees were checked. Some were cut down, while others were marked with warning signs.
However, officials acknowledged that current measures are largely temporary.
"At the moment, our measures are mostly temporary, not fundamental steps such as replanting," Noguchi said. "We call on visitors to use caution because we cannot say it's safe even after inspection."
Elsewhere, efforts to manage the risks have already altered some of Tokyo's most famous viewing spots. At Inokashira Park, dozens of aging cherry trees and branches have been removed in recent years as part of a regeneration plan. Some visitors have expressed disappointment at the resulting gaps in what was once a continuous canopy of blossoms.
Wada emphasized that long-term regeneration strategies are essential to preserving both the trees and the cultural experience they represent.
Despite the risks, many visitors continue to flock to parks to enjoy the brief cherry blossom season, which typically peaks between late March and early April and coincides with the start of Japan's school and business year. "I'm a bit worried, but I guess it's OK if we stay away from tree trunks," said visitor Lisa Suzuki.
Another visitor, Akira Kamiyashiki, said he chose to visit with his daughter despite the concerns, especially with the rain forecast over the weekend. "Seeing the keep-off signs, I now feel safe," he said.
