by Daisuke Tsujioka A road running race in Shonai, Yamagata that used to celebrate the full bloom of the area's cherry blossoms will no longer be held. The race had become a local tradition, but its cancelation is said to be due to a serious problem facing rural areas across the country. The Atsumi Sakura Road Race began in 1986 in hopes of attracting more tourists to the area, home of the famous 1200-year-old Atsumi Onsen hot spring southwest of Tsuruoka. Held in mid to late April, every year over a thousand runners from all parts of Japan take part. Starting and finishing at Atsumi Onsen, the event includes 30 km, 10 km, 5 km and 2 km races, following the cherry blossom-lined banks of the Omni River and giving runners the chance to soak in the atmosphere of the historic hot spring town and the cheers of its local residents. Due to the coronavirus pandemic the race was not held for four years from 2020 to 2023. Pandemic restrictions were lifted last May, but from the early stages...
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