Cherry blossom in Japan

22 comments

I’ve been in Japan for the last month and it’s great to get back and find GoY really busy with new – and familiar ;o) – members, so a big welcome to everyone; I can see I have a lot of catching up to do, reading blogs and my own blogging too.

Viewing cherry blossom in bloom seems to be easy and difficult at the same time – you can see flowers for weeks but full bloom is fragile and transient, luck is needed to get the right day. While in Osaka, I was told that my 4 day trip to Tokyo would mean I’d miss the best day for the local cherry blossom. Even in the areas surrounding Osaka, trees in shaded or higher (and therefore cooler) locations will bloom later. The flowers look, and are, very delicate.

Delicate flowers

I was lucky, the weather warmed up and we visited a beautiful area on a very good day, just before we went to Tokyo.

Cherry blossom is cultivated in gardens and along streets but it is naturally abundant in the mountains and hills of Japan; I found these un-manicured views much more beautiful, and in a way mysterious than the regular planting along paths. I couldn’t always get a good view, and sometimes I would see majestic mountain vistas from the car and they’d whizz past, but that just made it better.

Through the trees

Someone’s garden

Our hotel in Tokyo was in a beautiful park with many cherry blossoms. We took photos the day we arrived; the day after the heavens opened. As we ate breakfast we watched the rain tear petals and flowers from the trees – a demonstration of just how quickly cherry blossom season can pass.

Before the rain

I hope you’re all well, and welcome again to all our new members :o)

15 Apr, 2008
3 likes

Comments

Weemamabell

Glad you enjoyed your holiday , your photo's are beautiful

15 Apr, 2008

Peter

Hi Weemama :o) Thanks! We had a great time. I'll post some more photos later. I need lessons in photography though, I found it very difficult to capture a picture of the hills and mountains that did them justice. Hope you're well.

15 Apr, 2008

Janette

Glad you were able to capture these trees in all there glory before the rain spoiled the blossom Lovely ohotos

15 Apr, 2008

Majeekahead

WOW! stunning pic's Peter, - it's looks to me that you mastered taking them just fine! we have a small cherry blossom overlooking our garden from next door which does look stunning if you catch it right, but alass we have had some heavy rain that has spoilled it - and i must say no where near as breath taking as your pic's anyway - a real joy to see! glad you had a great holiday!

15 Apr, 2008

Poppy

WOW that avenue of Cherry Blossom looks out of this world.

15 Apr, 2008

Lori

Sounds like a wonderful experience, Peter. I know you were focussed on the cherry blossoms but did you have a chance to see any of the ancient Bonsai?
The pic of the avenue of cherry trees was breathtaking...goY seems to be perking along...best gardening site on here!

15 Apr, 2008

Peter

Thanks everyone :o)
Lori, I didn't manage see any bonsai, but even some of the full sized trees are manicured. I've added some more photos :)

15 Apr, 2008

Spritzhenry

Welcome back! We've missed you. Glad you had a good trip and love the photos.

15 Apr, 2008

Helofadigger

Peter I'm sure you had fun and seeing those amazing displays of blossom must have been so inspiring to every gardener.Hel.xxx.

16 Apr, 2008

Sid

Very beautiful - I would love to visit Japan when the blossom is out. Lucky you!

16 Apr, 2008

Xela

Sounds like you had a cracking good time, Peter. Cherry blossom is so beautiful, Japan must be a wonderland at this time of the year.
The cherry blossom is just breaking in this part of the world, we are hoping for a dry and sunny spell next week so that it has a chance to cast its spell over the Chiltern Hills.

16 Apr, 2008

Peter

Thanks for the comments everyone, and hi, Spritz :o) it's good to be back.

Xela - I'm hoping for dry and sunny next week too, although it's not been bad today. The lawn is about ready for it's first mow of the year and my little veg patch could do with tidying.

16 Apr, 2008

Grenville

Hi Peter,
Welcome back and thanks for sharing the photos.They are very beautiful.

16 Apr, 2008

Maple

Welcome back Peter and glad to hear you had a wonderful trip. The cherry blossom is magnificent - fleeting but perfect!

18 Apr, 2008

Peter

Thanks guys :o) Was lucky to be there at the right time.

18 Apr, 2008

David

Stunning pics, Peter! I never cease to be amazed by the effort that goes into cultivating these trees for the blossom, which can appear one day ,and be blown away the next! And I thought that this happened only here!

25 Apr, 2008

Peter

Hi David :o) Thanks, they are beautiful trees. I think one reason for the amount of care lavished on them is their importance in the culture. From what I can see everyone, of all ages, goes out to see them in bloom. It can be a real carnival atmosphere.

25 Apr, 2008

David

Wish we had something similar here. Sounds wonderful!

25 Apr, 2008