Early cherry blossoms surprise Tokyo

As Japan's cherry blossom season hits its peak, thousands of people flock to the parks to enjoy the natural spectacle. Tokyo's cherry trees were the first in the nation to bloom this year, six days earlier than expected.

The season lasts for only about two weeks.

Japan and Washington D.C. have the best-known examples of cherry blossoms worldwide. Washington's 3000 trees were a gift from Tokyo in 1912.