KYOTO -- Visitors have recently been enjoying weeping plum trees at Jonangu Shrine here, which are blooming with branches laden with white and pink petals that give off a light fragrance to announce the arrival of spring.

The shrine grounds are home to around 150 weeping plums. Azumi Ejima, 21, a university student visiting from Nishinomiya, Hyogo Prefecture, said, "It looks magical, with the flower petals starting to pile up on the ground."

The flowers can be viewed by the public from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with entry open up to 4 p.m. The cost is 400 yen for elementary and junior high school students, and 600 yen for those older. Inquiries can be made at Jonangu Shrine at 075-623-0846 (in Japanese).