People in Japan have been enjoying the first spring holidays without coronavirus restrictions since the start of the pandemic.

Some are wrapping up visits to family across the country and making their way back home.

Many of them are making the journey by bullet train. Rail authorities reported big crowds.

Airline companies say domestic flights to Tokyo and Osaka are almost full.

Tokyo's Asakusa neighborhood was crammed with people on Thursday. The streets were so crowded in some places, it was difficult to move.

Some shop owners say they're keen to see overseas tourists return.

Tokyo Metropolitan Government officials say the capital had more than 2,300 new coronavirus cases on Thursday.

That's down by about 3,000 from a week ago. Tokyo has reported week-on-week declines for 24 days straight. Nationwide, there were more than 20,000 cases.