Spring is in the air in northeastern Japan.

Workers at Oyakuen Garden in Aizu-Wakamatsu are busy getting the garden ready for warmer weather.

The gardeners removed support ropes that protect trees from the weight of heavy winter snow. The centerpiece of the park is a pine tree over 550 years old.

Oyakuen Garden was originally a villa for the lord of the Aizu domain, now part of Fukushima Prefecture.

The removal of the ropes is an annual event that heralds the passing of winter.

This year, the work is taking place a week later than usual due to a late winter thaw. The job will take three days.