TOKYO — The collapse of several aging cherry blossom trees in Tokyo has raised public safety concerns at the height of Japan’s annual “sakura” viewing season, as authorities grapple with the challenges of maintaining decades-old urban greenery.
Many of Tokyo’s iconic Somei Yoshino cherry trees, widely planted during Japan’s postwar expansion in the 1960s, are now showing signs of deterioration. Experts say age, environmental stress, and internal decay are contributing to their increasing fragility.
On Thursday, two cherry trees collapsed — one at Kinuta Park and another along the Chidorigafuchi Greenway. The Kinuta Park tree damaged a fence, while the other nearly fell into the moat surrounding the Imperial Palace. No injuries were reported.
Officials said the fallen tree at Kinuta Park stood about 18 meters tall with a trunk measuring 2.5 meters in diameter and was believed to be more than 60 years old. A separate incident in March at the same park left a passerby injured when another aging tree collapsed.
Data from the Tokyo metropolitan government showed that 85 trees fell in city parks last year, injuring three people. Many of those incidents involved cherry trees, according to parks official Masakazu Noguchi.
Tokyo assembly member Yutaka Kazama earlier raised alarm over visibly weakened trees, noting on social media that some had exposed roots or signs of rot. He called for stronger safety measures while avoiding indiscriminate tree removal.
Experts point to aging, internal fungal decay, and environmental stressors — including extreme summer heat and prolonged dry conditions — as key factors weakening the trees. Tree specialist Hiroyuki Wada said warning signs include heavy leaning, visible holes, and mushroom growth near the base, all of which may indicate structural instability.
“Many trees in our daily lives were planted soon after the war and are now 70–80 years old and getting weaker,” Wada said, adding that climate change may also be accelerating their decline.
In response to recent incidents, authorities conducted safety inspections across major parks ahead of the peak bloom period. At Kinuta Park alone, more than 800 cherry trees underwent preliminary checks. Some were cut down, while warning signs were posted near others considered at risk — though the tree that collapsed Thursday reportedly had no such notice.
“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.”
At Inokashira Park, one of the city’s most popular viewing spots, dozens of aging cherry trees and branches have been removed in recent years as part of a long-term regeneration plan. However, the effort has drawn mixed reactions, with some visitors lamenting the loss of the once continuous canopy of pink blossoms.
Despite the risks, many visitors continue to flock to parks to enjoy the fleeting beauty of the blooms. “I’m a bit worried, but I guess it’s OK if we stay away from tree trunks,” said visitor Lisa Suzuki. Another parkgoer, Akira Kamiyashiki, said safety measures such as restricted areas offered reassurance as he visited with his daughter.
Cherry blossoms — or “sakura” — typically reach peak bloom from late March to early April, coinciding with the start of Japan’s new school and business year. The seasonal tradition of viewing and picnicking under the trees remains a cherished cultural practice, even as authorities and experts call for long-term solutions to preserve both public safety and the iconic landscape.
Paraluman P. Funtanilla
Paraluman P. Funtanilla is Tutubi News Magazine's Marketing Specialist and is a Contributing Editor. She finished her degree in Communication Arts in De La Salle Lipa. She has worked as a Digital Marketer for start-up businesses and small business spaces for the past two years. She has earned certificates from Coursera on Brand Management: Aligning Business Brand and Behavior and Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content. She also worked with Asia Express Romania TV Show.
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
