The cherry blossoms are in bloom - it must be spring

Here are some of the best photos around Japan.

TO CELEBRATE THE dawning of spring, National Geographic asked readers to send in photos of cherry blossoms in bloom.

The pictures, submitted through the website’s Your Shot platform, show the festival of cherry blossoms around Japan.

Here are some of the best.

Japan's Cherry Blossom Festival Ryan WH Ryan WH

Ryan WH took this photo of blossoms blooming beside a river.

chidorigafuchi

Totomai Martinez snapped this picture at Chidorigafuchi, a popular spot for watching the blossoming of the trees.

Sakura Reverie

S Ohtani caught a heron grabbing a quick drink on a calm Kyoto morning.

Circle of fog

Yoshiki Fujiwara captured Mount Yoshino. The mountain is part of the spiritual site and path in Kii, a Unesco heritage site.

Old Couple

A couple takes time to admire the blossoms in Hirosaki in Joe Ishikawa’s photo.

Sakura Blizzard

Families shelter from a blizzard of blossoms in Joydeep Dasgupta’s photo from Shinjuku Gyoen.

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