Sakura

A visual blog about Japan without some hanami, sakura blossom viewing, seems like a sin.  So in Aomori's splendor, here are some photos of the Hirosaki Castle sakura trees.  I've noticed that the trees actually seem to have more blossoms on them in Aomori than when I've gone in Tokyo, but this may very likely be bad luck on my part.  Tokyo seems to have worse wind during sakura season than Aomori.  This past Tuesday I'm sure wreaked havoc on sakura viewing season with the typhoon that passed by.  Whatever blooms had opened likely blew away that day.  This might explain why people from all over the country make their way to Hirosaki in Aomori for the cherry blossom festival there.  That and it last later into the spring since the weather does not warm up as fast as it does further south.  I've heard it described as the "sakura's march north" to refer to how the country comes into bloom as the heatwave moves north over March and April.  But be warned, Hirsosaki castle has a moat so be prepared to be ordered into a rowboat to taxi around any romantics you may be visiting with through the sakura petal covered water.