PARKS in Tokyo are awash with white and pink hues as the country's famed cherry blossoms reach full bloom.

It's a celebration of the coming of spring, as people flock to places like Tokyo's Ueno park, to admire the flowers and take photographs.

Cherry blossoms are a poignant reminder of the shortness of life, and a brief spectacle that must be enjoyed before the next year's bloom, says a Reuters video report.

Photos: AFP, Reuters