Japan cherry blossom enthusiasts enjoy washing of carp streamers

IWAKURA, Aichi visitors to one of Japan's top cherry blossom-viewing spots in this central Japan city were treated to a dual spectacle as an annual washing of koinobori carp streamers took place on March 28.

Carp streamers were being prepared for use ahead of Children's Day, a national holiday on May 5. The work begins during winter and washing glue off the freshly dyed streamers is one of the last steps. The site on the Gojo River where washing takes place is listed in the 100 famous cherry blossom spots of the Japan Cherry Blossom Association.

As pink petals from the flower trees floated on the river's surface, Hiroaki Matsuura, the 52-year-old craftsman at Nakashimaya banner shop, carefully scraped off the glue that bordered the streamers' designs, using a brush to clean them.

While the Iwakura Cherry Blossom Festival was cancelled to prevent the spread of the coronaviruses, people coming to see the cherry blossoms in a dual spectacle with the streamers were happily surprised to see them in a dual spectacle with the streamers.

Matsuura said I'm happy that I can work while the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. He hopes that the children grow up healthy and in a relaxed way, like one of the large carp streamers, as they look ahead to their use on Children's Day.