Sumo: Kotozakura

MATSUDO, Japan, Dec. 23 Kyodo - Ozeki Kotozakura holds a press conference at his stable in Matsudo, Chiba Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Dec. 23, 2024, ahead of the 15-day New Year Grand Sumo Tournament opening at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan on Jan. 12. Winner of the Emperor's Cup in the November Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament, Kotozakura seeks promotion to sumo's highest-ranked yokozuna during the forthcoming tournament. (Kyodo)

Cherry blossoms reflected in water

Cherry blossoms reflected in water

KURUME, Japan - A cherry tree known as Asai no Ippon Zakura is seen in bloom and illuminated up on a trial basis in Kurume, Fukuoka Prefecture, on March 31, 2014. Its image is reflected in the water.

Runners pass under full-bloom cherry trees on Amami-Oshima

Runners pass under full-bloom cherry trees on Amami-Oshima

AMAMI, Japan - Amateur marathon runners pass under full-bloom early flowering cherry trees, called ''higan-zakura,'' on Amami-Oshima, a semi-tropical island in Kagoshima Prefecture, on Feb. 7, 2010, during the Amami Cherry marathon race. Around 1,300 runners took part in the event.

Early-blooming cherry in full blossom a month early

Early-blooming cherry in full blossom a month early

SHINGU, Japan - Higan zakura, an early blooming cherry, is in full blossom a month early this year in Taiji, a fishing town with a mild climate located in southern Kii Peninsula.

Early-blooming cherry in full blossom a month early

Early-blooming cherry in full blossom a month early

SHINGU, Japan - Higan zakura, an early blooming cherry, is in full blossom a month early this year in Taiji, a fishing town with a mild climate located in southern Kii Peninsula. (Kyodo)

(CORRECTED) Runners pass under full-bloom cherry trees on Amami-

(CORRECTED) Runners pass under full-bloom cherry trees on Amami-

AMAMI, Japan - Amateur marathon runners pass under full-bloom early flowering cherry trees, called ''higan-zakura,'' on Amami-Oshima, a semi-tropical island in Kagoshima Prefecture, on Feb. 7, 2010, during the Amami Cherry marathon race. Around 1,300 runners took part in the event. (Kyodo)

Runners pass under full-bloom cherry trees on Amai-Oshima

Runners pass under full-bloom cherry trees on Amai-Oshima

AMAMI, Japan - Amateur marathon runners pass under full-bloom early flowering cherry trees, called ''higan-zakura,'' on Amami-Oshima, a semi-tropical island in Kagoshima Prefecture, on Feb. 7, 2010, during the Amami Cherry marathon race. Around 1,300 runners took part in the event. (Kyodo)

Famed 1,000-year-old cherry blossoms in Fukushima

Famed 1,000-year-old cherry blossoms in Fukushima

A big cherry tree estimated to be more than 1,000 years old in Miharu, Fukushima Prefecture, counted as one of Japan's three most spectacular cherry trees, is lit up on April 20, 2017. The tree, standing 13.5 meters and whose branches spread 25 meters, is known as Miharu Taki Zakura (waterfall cherry) as its blossoms on draped branches resemble a waterfall. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Famed 1,000-year-old cherry blossoms in Fukushima

Famed 1,000-year-old cherry blossoms in Fukushima

A big cherry tree estimated to be more than 1,000 years old in Miharu, Fukushima Prefecture, counted as one of Japan's three most spectacular cherry trees, is lit up on April 20, 2017. The tree, standing 13.5 meters and whose branches spread 25 meters, is known as Miharu Taki Zakura (waterfall cherry) as its blossoms on draped branches resemble a waterfall. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo