The Last Blossoms of Kakunodate

A thousand cherry blossoms in Springtime

Bonson Lam May 04, 2014 - 1 min read

<p>Even in Golden Week you can enjoy strolling here without the crowds that you will find in Kyoto.</p>

<p>During the Edo period, a number of cherry trees were planted here from Kyoto.</p>

<p>Beautiful mature Cherry blossom trees at Kakunodate in Akita Prefecture</p>

<p>Along the Hinokinai River, there are over a thousand trees that line the banks.</p>

<p>The cherry blossom is almost finished in May when Golden Week rolls in </p>

<p>A thousand cherry trees line the banks of the river next to Kakunodate</p>

<p>Cycling along the river is a great way to see Kakunodate</p>

<p>Cycling along the river is a great way to see the cherry blossoms.</p>

<p>There is another small stream where cherry blossom petals float on the water</p>

<p>Cycling along the river is a great way to see the cherry blossoms at Kakunodate</p>

By the beginning of May, the last cherry blossoms of Kakunodate have bloomed and are being blown away by the spring breeze. Green shoots have come out from the trees, heralding that winter is truly over, even though you can still see snow on top of the mountains in the horizon. It is also Golden Week, a national holiday and peak tourism season in Japan. Along the Hinokinai River, there are over a thousand trees that line the banks, so you can see cherry blossoms for as far as the eyes can see. You can cycle or stroll under the “tunnel” of cherry blossoms, in the same way that many visitors stroll under the tunnel of Vermillion gates in Fushimi Shrine in Kyoto.

Cherry Blossom in Tohoku

Bonson Lam @bonson.lam

I knew my future was destined to be with Japan the moment I flew from Sydney to experience the atmospheric laneways of Kyoto last century. I am humbled to have met many distinguished people during this time, especially the national living treasures of Japan, such as the doll maker to the Imperia...