JAPANESE COUPLES ROW BOATS BENEATH CHERRY BLOSSOMS IN IMPERIAL PALACE MOAT IN TOKYO

Japanese couples row boats beneath cherry blossoms in a moat near the Imperial Palace in Tokyo March 20, 2002. Balmy weather has brought Japan's much-loved cherry trees into bloom two weeks early this year, but not everyone is thrilled to see the flowers ahead of time. The emergence of the pale pink flowers is a national obsession, with TV networks frequently airing blossom updates on their news programmes. Families, companies and friends pack Tokyo’s parks during the season to picnic under the trees in full bloom. These parties can be organised at the last minute, but for businesses that organise flower-viewing tours, timing is everything. REUTER/Toshiyuki Aizawa