Cherries in Japan

Discussion in 'VCBF Neighbourhood Blogs' started by eteinindia, Nov 5, 2009.

  1. eteinindia

    eteinindia Well-Known Member VCBF Cherry Scout 10 Years

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    Thank you, 1950Greg. I think the Imperial Palace is the best cherry-viewing site in Tokyo as far as I saw. As the park, Shinjuku Gyoen Park is the best cherry-viewing park in Tokyo. (I’m sorry but I haven’t post pictures of Shinjuku Gyoen in full bloom.)

    By the way, on May 5, my sister went to Kakunodate in Tohoku region (about 2 hour ride of bullet train to the north-east direction from Tokyo). In Kakunodate some old Samurai Houses are kept nicely. Some of them are 250 to 300 years old. Samurai Houses’ area is also famous for Sidare-zakura. This year Sidare-zakuras there became full bloom on May 3. But when my sister visited on May 5, some of them started to fall and the best time was over in 2 days due to the sudden hot change of the weather. (Japan is having unusual spring. We had cold April and from the beginning of May, temperature started to rise and on the 5th of May the highest temperature in Tokyo was 27.4 and on the 6th, 27.8. In Kyoto and some inner parts temperature went up over 30 degrees.)
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    She sent me a picture of Somei-yoshinos on the bank of Hinokinai River in Kakunodate. In 1936 about 400 Somei-yoshinos were planted to commemorate the birth of the crown prince in those days. (Now he is the emperor) So those cherries are 74 years old now! Most of them are still in very good condition, I believe.
    20100505_HinokinaiRiver_Kakunodate桧木内川の桜.jpg
     
  2. eteinindia

    eteinindia Well-Known Member VCBF Cherry Scout 10 Years

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    Kamakura on April 9, 2010
    On Friday, April 9, 2010, I visited Kamakura to see cherries. I had visited Kamakura many times, but I hadn’t been there when cherries bloomed. It was rather disappointed trip. First of all, the weather wasn’t as good as the forecast said. Also cherries in Kamakura were already finishing. There weren’t as many cherries as I expected. And Somei-yoshinos in Kamakura weren’t as big as the ones at the center part of Tokyo.
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    2 rows of Somei-yoshino in front of the Turugaoka Shrine are very famous. But they looked rather small and looked not very healthy. I think Kamakura is too near to the sea and they were planted on the mount 50cm higher than the road. They can’t spread roots freely.
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    I saw witches’ broom on Somei-yoshino perhaps first time after I came back to Japan. Kamakura is a hilly place. There might be more rain there.
    Bamboo shoots came out from the ground.
    20100409_Kamakura_.Izaki 053.jpg 20100409_Kamakura_.Izaki 049.jpg 20100409_Kamakura_.Izaki 054.jpg

    But Kamakura is a wonderful place to see wild cherries on the mountains (hills?). There grow not only Yama-zakura but Ohshima-zakura wildly. I believe Kamakura locates in a very limited area where wild Oshima grows. So if you can have hiking, in the woods Kamakura is a good place to see cherries.
    20100409_Kamakura_.Izaki 025.jpg 20100409_Kamakura_.Izaki 023.jpg 20100409_Kamakura_.Izaki 007.jpg

    There are some pendulas(mostly Yae-beni-shidare), there.
    20100409_Kamakura_.Izaki 046.jpg 20100409_Kamakura_.Izaki 026.jpg 20100409_Kamakura_.Izaki 027.jpg

    Autumnalis I saw last November was blooming. I felt spring flowers are bigger than Autumn flowers. But I’m not sure.
    Spring flowers
    20100409_Kamakura_.Izaki 008.jpg 20100409_Kamakura_.Izaki 009.jpg
    Autumn flowers
    20091127_Enkaku-jiTemple_Kamakura_Autumnalis_Izaki 008.jpg 20091127_Enkaku-jiTemple_Kamakura_Autumnalis_Izaki 010.jpg 20091127_Enkaku-jiTemple_Kamakura_Autumnalis_Izaki 011.jpg

    There are 3 kinds of unknown cherries.
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  3. eteinindia

    eteinindia Well-Known Member VCBF Cherry Scout 10 Years

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    Cherrie in Chichibu on April 10, No.2
    Then I went to Nagatoro Station. Unfortunately it became cloudy then. Hodo-san shrine locates about 10 minutes walk from the station and there is a famous road lined with Somei-yoshino to the shrine. They were very nice, but I saw a few witches' broom there. There were some Yama-zakuras and Shidare-zakuras blooming near the shrine.
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    There is a ropeway to the top of Mt. Hodo (just 497 meter) and we climbed to the top.
    There Somei-yoshinos were not blooming yet. But 1 Ko-higan (or Edo-higan) and 1 Edo-higan were blooming there.
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    There were 2 Edo-higans (?) on the slope. Chichibu is known as a site of wild Edo-higans. Flower sizes of 2 trees were different. But I think they belong to the same cultivar.
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    Mt. Hoto is famous for winter blooming cherries (Autumnalis). They were having spring flowers.
    20100409_Kamakura_.Izaki 131.jpg 20100409_Kamakura_.Izaki 094.jpg
     
  4. eteinindia

    eteinindia Well-Known Member VCBF Cherry Scout 10 Years

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    Cherries in Chichibu on April 10, No.1
    On April 10, 2010, I visited Chichibu to see Shidare-zakura for the first time after I came back to Japan. In Tokyo Somei-yoshino had already finished and because of my Achilles’ tendon, I missed to see Shidare-zakura which bloomed same time or before Somei-yoshino. I checked Web and found Shidare-zakura still blooming in Chichibu. Chichibu locates northeast of Tokyo, about 2-hour train ride. Chichibu is a hilly country side area. There is a famous river gorge, called Nagatoro on Arakawa River.
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    First we visited Houzen-ji Temple near Nogami station. It is famous for Shidare-zakura. On the way to the temple, I saw Kanhi-zakura and Yoko which finished before Somei-yoshino in Tokyo were still blooming.
    20100409_Kamakura_.Izaki 015.jpg 20100409_Kamakura_.Izaki 016.jpg 20100409_Kamakura_.Izaki 010.jpg

    There were a lot of Shidare-zakuras blooming in Houzen-ji. Shidare-zakura is a weeping variety of Edo-higan. It is a whiter variety of Pendula (Beni-shidare) in Vancouver. Edo is an old name of Tokyo and higan means the seven days around equinox. So Edo-higan and Shidare-zakura bloom around spring equinox in Tokyo. about a week before Somei-yoshino blooms. Edo-higan has typical calyxes which swollen in the middle like beads are inside. It is said to be a parental or a grand-parental cherry of Somei-yoshino. It blooms before leaves come out.
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    There is 1 Yoko blooming in the temple.
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    Near the temple there is a bush of unknown cherries. They might be Edo-higan or Kohigan or something else.
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  5. alex66

    alex66 Rising Contributor Maple Society 10 Years

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    WOW!!thank U for this interesting reportage!:-)
     
  6. eteinindia

    eteinindia Well-Known Member VCBF Cherry Scout 10 Years

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    Cherry Flower in August

    On the afternoon of August 24, 2010, I noticed my Bonsai Autumnalis had a small green flower.
    This year we are having unbelievably hot and dry summer in Tokyo. In August there is only one day when the highest temperature didn’t reach 30 degrees and also one day the lowest went down below 25 degrees. Average highest temperature of the day is 33.3 and one day it reached 37.2 in the central part of Tokyo and 38.1 in the inner suburb where my in-laws live. (I was there that day!)
    But cherry trees are very healthy and leaves are in beautiful condition. In wet summer sometimes cherry leaves fall down in August before autumn comes. But this year every tree keeps healthy green leaves.
    But my Bonsais in my very small veranda where the vent of the air-conditioning locates lost leaves in July and new leaves started to grow a few days ago. Today I can also see more green things like buds.

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    This Autumnalis had a small flower on July 11, 2010. At that time leaves are still all right but I found some bites on the leaves. I checked thoroughly but I couldn’t find any insect on and under leaves. But some insects were continuing eating.
    A few days later I finally found a worm which mimics a twig and took it away. But the tree continued losing leaves.

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    I didn’t post but I bought this Autumnalis in April. It had bigger pink flowers in Spring. It was beautiful with my small Asahiyama. But after flowers finished, no leaves came out from the small Asahiyama and it died out. I bought another Asahiyama but it is not in good condition, either.

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    New Arashiyama now
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    Last edited: Aug 26, 2010
  7. eteinindia

    eteinindia Well-Known Member VCBF Cherry Scout 10 Years

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    I’m sorry to post now, but I went to Nikko on April 26, 2010. Nikko is more famous for autumn color. There aren’t so many cherry trees (not many Somei-Yoshinos). But there are several very old cherry trees.
    There are 3 old Shidare-zakuras. Flowers of Shidare-zakura are very small.
    20100426_Nikko_Izaki 025.jpg 20100426_Nikko_Izaki 026.jpg 20100426_Nikko_Izaki 029.jpg

    One locates in a private garden is 370 years old and relatively good condition.
    20100426_Nikko_Izaki 022_370Year-old.jpg 20100426_Nikko_Izaki 019.jpg 20100426_Nikko_Izaki 016.jpg

    One at the local shrine is 350 years old.
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    One in another private garden is said to be about 500 years old. Unfortunately the main trunk is broken and looks cruel but it still bloom in spring.
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  8. eteinindia

    eteinindia Well-Known Member VCBF Cherry Scout 10 Years

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    Autumn cherries are in bloom!
    Autumnalis must had started blooming in October, but I didn’t have a chance to visit them. Also I hoped to start new autumn cherry pages with beautiful pictures of Autumnalis at the new locations in Tokyo area. But weather wasn’t good in October and I couldn’t find any new autumn cherry trees.
    November 3 (a national holiday in Japan) was a beautiful day; I decided to visit new locations I found in internet. I chose Jindai Botanical Garden (you can see the video down the most of the link page.English subtittles are on the video.) and Nogawa Park because there are bus loots from same railroad station.
    First I visited Jindai Botanical garden. There autumn roses were full bloom and chrysanthemum show was on. Cosmoses(C. bipinnatus) were still blooming.

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    But there was only 1 Autumnalis and 1 Fuyu-zakura there and both were not in full bloom. It was disappinting.

    Autumnalis
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    Fuyu-zakura
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    But there was a board which showed how to identify autumn cherries. It will help me a lot. It said;
    Fuyu-zakura: 5 petals
    Autumnalis: 16 ~ 18 petals
    Kobuku-zakura 20 ~ 40 petals

    Then I visited Nogawa Park. Unfortunately before I arrived there, weather changed and got darker. Nogawa Park is a large local park which has nothing special but there I found 10 Autumnalis and 6 Kobuku-zakura in a same location. They are in good condition.

    Autumnalises(front) and Kobuku-zakura (back)
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    Autumunalis (It has a long pistil.)
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    Kobuku-zakura(It might have 1 to 5 pistils.)
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    I notice Autumnalis trees are much smaller than Kobuku-zakura trees. They might be younger but people make Bonsai using Autumnalis, so it might be their character. Gakken Book of Flowering Cherries in Japan says Autumnalis is a hybrid between Mame-zakura and Edo-higan. Mame-zakura is a small short cherry tree which usually grows less than 2 meter. Also Kobuku-zakura is whiter than Autumnalis.

    In other part of the park I found 1 small cherry tree had only 1 flower. It must be kind of crazy bloom. It looked like a kind of hybrid Mame-zakura like Okame or Soshun-zakura.

    20101103_NogawaPark_Autumnalis&Kobuku-zakura_Izaki 001.jpg 20101103_NogawaPark_Autumnalis&Kobuku-zakura_Izaki 006.jpg
     
  9. eteinindia

    eteinindia Well-Known Member VCBF Cherry Scout 10 Years

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    New Spring Cherry Season Has Started!

    Kan-zakura in Koishikawa Botanical Garden started blooming. On January 30, it was between 10 to 20 % blooming. Kan-zakura there is a rather large tree of about 5-meter high. But Yama-zakura tree next to it is much taller than Kan-zakura. Daffodils are blooming at the foot of Yama-zakura.

    2011.01.30_KoishikawaBG_Kanakura&etc._Izaki 019.jpg 2011.01.30_KoishikawaBG_Kanakura&etc._Izaki 012.jpg 2011.01.30_KoishikawaBG_Kanakura&etc._Izaki 021.jpg
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    When I visited there on January 9, I found just a few flowers of Kan-zakura open. But it took more than half month till it became 10 to 20 % bloom. Kan-zakura is the first spring-flowering cherry which starts blooming soon after New Year. It blooms once a year. Autumn and winter blooming cherries like Autumnalis, Fuyu-zakura and Kobuku-zakura bloom twice (Spring & autumn or more) in Japan.

    January 9 :::::::::::::::::: ::::::January 18:::::::::::::::::::::::::::January 25
    2011.01.09_KoishikawaBotanicalG_Kan-zakura&Himaraya-za_Izaki 016.jpg 2011.01.18_KoishikawaBotanicGarden_Kan-zakura&Ume_Izaki 004.jpg 2011.01.25_KoishikawaBotanicGarden_Kan-zakura&Ume_Izaki 007.jpg

    Himaraya-zakura (Himalayan cherry) which bloomed in December now has young leaves and small green fruits. We are having a little colder winter than normal year in Tokyo. Some books write Himaraya-zakura can’t survive winter in Tokyo. But I think it is not true.

    2011.01.30_KoishikawaBG_Kanakura&etc._Izaki 003.jpg 2011.01.30_KoishikawaBG_Kanakura&etc._Izaki 006.jpg
    On December 18, Himaraya-zakura was blooming. But peak bloom had been over then.
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    Now it is a time for Ume (P. Mume or Japanese Apricot) and Camellia. Umes are 30 % bloom and some camellias are in full bloom. Ro-bai (Chimonanthus praecox) was in full bloom on January 9 but it finished blooming now.

    2011.01.25_KoishikawaBotanicGarden_Kan-zakura&Ume_Izaki 028.jpg 2011.01.25_KoishikawaBotanicGarden_Kan-zakura&Ume_Izaki 032.jpg 2011.01.25_KoishikawaBotanicGarden_Kan-zakura&Ume_Izaki 037.jpg
    Camellias :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::Ro-bai on January 9
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  10. eteinindia

    eteinindia Well-Known Member VCBF Cherry Scout 10 Years

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    East Garden of Imperial Palace
    On February 1,2011, I visited the East Garden of the Imperial Palace for the first time for I read a blog which said Kan-zakura there started blooming. It was a beautiful day and the garden was really beautiful.

    2011.02.01_EastGardenOfImperialPalace_Kan-zakura&etc_Izaki 001.jpg 2011.02.01_EastGardenOfImperialPalace_Kan-zakura&etc_Izaki 002.jpg 2011.02.01_EastGardenOfImperialPalace_Kan-zakura&etc_Izaki 012.jpg
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    But 2 Kan-zakuras there weren’t old enough and not blooming so much.
    2011.02.01_EastGardenOfImperialPalace_Kan-zakura&etc_Izaki 016.jpg 2011.02.01_EastGardenOfImperialPalace_Kan-zakura&etc_Izaki 017.jpg 2011.02.01_EastGardenOfImperialPalace_Kan-zakura&etc_Izaki 019.jpg

    There are Fuyu-zakura and Jugatu-zakura next to Kan-zakuras. Also there is one Jugatu-zakura near the Ote-mon Gate. They were almost finishing.
    ::::::Fuyu-zakura ::::::::::::::::Jugatsu-zakura
    2011.02.01_EastGardenOfImperialPalace_Kan-zakura&etc_Izaki 021.jpg 2011.02.01_EastGardenOfImperialPalace_Kan-zakura&etc_Izaki 025.jpg

    On Tensyudai donjon Base, there is an old Oshima-zakura tree in wonderful shape.

    2011.02.01_EastGardenOfImperialPalace_Kan-zakura&etc_Izaki 052.jpg 2011.02.01_EastGardenOfImperialPalace_Kan-zakura&etc_Izaki 060.jpg 2011.02.01_EastGardenOfImperialPalace_Kan-zakura&etc_Izaki 058.jpg

    Also I found there were more than 30 kinds of cherries in the East Garden. I haven’t seen some of them like Usuge-yama-zakura (Slightly haired Yama-zakura) and some like Nishinomiya-Gongendaira-zakura, I hadn’t even heard of. I’m looking forward to see them.

    On Ume-mi-zaka Slope, there are Ume (P. Mume) trees were blooming. There is a Japanese style Garden and a tea house in the East Garden.
    2011.02.01_EastGardenOfImperialPalace_Kan-zakura&etc_Izaki 062.jpg 2011.02.01_EastGardenOfImperialPalace_Kan-zakura&etc_Izaki 080.jpg 2011.02.01_EastGardenOfImperialPalace_Kan-zakura&etc_Izaki 075.jpg
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    Then I visited the Kitanomaru Garden next to the East Garden. There were 1 Kan-zakura and 1 Kawadu-zakura started blooming. But they are also rather small trees. And unfortunately Kan-zakura tree was in the shade.
    2011.02.01_kitanomaruGarden_IPalace_Kan-zakura&etc_Izaki 006.jpg 2011.02.01_kitanomaruGarden_IPalace_Kan-zakura&etc_Izaki 007.jpg
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    Last edited: Feb 23, 2011
  11. eteinindia

    eteinindia Well-Known Member VCBF Cherry Scout 10 Years

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    Atami-zakura in Atami
    On February 2, I visited Atami to see Atami-zakura (P. × Kanzakura Makino(cv. Atamizakura). Atami-zakura is said to be the first blooming cherry on Honsyu Island, the main island of Japan. It is said to be a kind of Kan-zakura and seen only in Atami Area. Usually Atami-zakura becomes full bloom at the ent of January or the beginning of February.
    Atami locates about 100 Kilometres South-West of Tokyo and at the entrance of the Izu Peninsula, holiday area from Tokyo. Because of easy access, in old days Atami was a very popular tourist spot with a lot of hotels and inns. It was famous for hot springs and beautiful sea and Mountains. But nowadays it is too near for 2-day trips (only about 40 minutes ride of the bullet train or 109 minutes even by Local train) and many accommodations and shops and restaurants became old. Atami lost its old fame.
    Now the City of Atami is trying to attract cherry lovers before real cherry season starts using Atami-zakura as Kawazu, a small town on Izu peninsula, got a great success with Kawazu-zakura.
    The first Atami-cherries I saw located at the bus terminal by the Atami station.
    2011.02.03.Atami_Atami-zakura_Izaki 001.jpg 2011.02.03.Atami_Atami-zakura_Izaki 003.jpg 2011.02.03.Atami_Atami-zakura_Izaki 004.jpg

    They really looked like Kan-zakura and I didn’t see so much difference. But the buds might look more like O-kan-zakura. The flowers might be just a bit bigger and less flowers to an arrangement. So they might open flatter than usual Kan-zakura.(Kan-zakura has a lots of buds together. So they can’t open properly. Also they don’t open at a time. Some flowers bloom after nearby flowers finish.) Even scientists aren’t sure Atami-zakura is a separate species or Kan-zakura changed by the mild climate of Atami. I’m not sure it is the same as Atami-hayazaki (Atami early-blooming) on “Flowering Cherries of Japan, New Editonâ€

    Then I saw 2 trees near the sea. They are said to be the earliest blooming Atami-zakura in the city. They are about 60 % blooming, just a bit earlier than Kan-zakura in Tokyo. The city made the nice walking track by the sea and also planted O-kan-zakuras. They will bloom at the end of February.
    2011.02.03.Atami_Atami-zakura_Izaki 006.jpg 2011.02.03.Atami_Atami-zakura_Izaki 005.jpg 2011.02.03.Atami_Atami-zakura_Izaki 008.jpg
    2011.02.03.Atami_Atami-zakura_Izaki 010.jpg 2011.02.03.Atami_Atami-zakura_Izaki 013.jpg 2011.02.03.Atami_Atami-zakura_Izaki 014.jpg

    There are a lot of young trees planted recently. They have a few flowers and not worth viewing yet.
    2011.02.03.Atami_Atami-zakura_Izaki 015.jpg 2011.02.03.Atami_Atami-zakura_Izaki 018.jpg 2011.02.03.Atami_Atami-zakura_Izaki 025.jpg

    The main area on the cherry viewing map of Atami is a narrow river with Atami-zakuras on both sides. It said there were 42 Atami-zakuras there. But they were disappointing.
    2011.02.03.Atami_Atami-zakura_Izaki 041.jpg 2011.02.03.Atami_Atami-zakura_Izaki 042.jpg 2011.02.03.Atami_Atami-zakura_Izaki 043.jpg
    2011.02.03.Atami_Atami-zakura_Izaki 050.jpg 2011.02.03.Atami_Atami-zakura_Izaki 052.jpg 2011.02.03.Atami_Atami-zakura_Izaki 049.jpg
    Most of them aren’t healthy condition. They looked like completely different. (Or they might be different cherry? But there aren't so many cherries blooming at this time of the year.)
    Also the city was doing construction work of the pavement. It wasn’t good sight to see.
    I think cherries were planted too close to the river and roots were covered too much by the paver stones. Also mud in lower area of Atami might include too much salty water.

    There are many grown-up Kan-zakuras in other areas. Some of them were blooming nicly. But they aren’t as big as Koishikawa Botanical Garden’s or Shinjuku Gyoen’s.
    2011.02.03.Atami_Atami-zakura_Izaki 023.jpg 2011.02.03.Atami_Atami-zakura_Izaki 024.jpg 2011.02.03.Atami_Atami-zakura_Izaki 027.jpg
    2011.02.03.Atami_Atami-zakura_Izaki 065.jpg 2011.02.03.Atami_Atami-zakura_Izaki 067.jpg 2011.02.03.Atami_Atami-zakura_Izaki 070.jpg

    Atami is famous for Ume (P. Mume), too. There is an Ume-Garden. They were 40 % blooming.
    2011.02.03.Atami_Atami-zakura_Izaki 056.jpg 2011.02.03.Atami_Atami-zakura_Izaki 062.jpg 2011.02.03.Atami_Atami-zakura_Izaki 063.jpg

    The cherry viewing map said there were some Atami-zakuras at Himegasawa Park at the side of the mountain. It said the park was high up so cherries bloom much later. But I visited there and found even Atami-zakura hasn’t bloomed yet.
    2011.02.03.Atami_Atami-zakura_Izaki 072.jpg 2011.02.03.Atami_Atami-zakura_Izaki 074.jpg 2011.02.03.Atami_Atami-zakura_Izaki 076.jpg

    Overall, the city of Atami has a long way to go. Now these Atami-zakuras are good enough for the travellers who see them by chance, but not beautiful enough to attract people to visit Atami to see them. At least, they have a lot of Atami-zakuras there and are trying to plant more. They are planting O-kan-zakura, too.
    Because of the climate near the mountains and the sea, they have many difficulties for keeping trees healthy and growing well. I hope they can get great success. I’d like to see Atami after 10 years.
     
  12. eteinindia

    eteinindia Well-Known Member VCBF Cherry Scout 10 Years

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    Early spring in Shinjuku-gyoen Park
    On February 10, 2011, I visited Shinjuku-gyoen Park to see Kan-zakuras.
    There are several Kan-zakuras there and one near the entrance was almost full bloom.
    Others were on different stages of blooming.
    2011.02.10_Shinjuku-Gyoen_Kan-zakura&Kawazu-zakura_Izaki 017.jpg 2011.02.10_Shinjuku-Gyoen_Kan-zakura&Kawazu-zakura_Izaki 016.jpg 2011.02.10_Shinjuku-Gyoen_Kan-zakura&Kawazu-zakura_Izaki 015.jpg
    2011.02.10_Shinjuku-Gyoen_Kan-zakura&Kawazu-zakura_Izaki 022B.jpg 2011.02.10_Shinjuku-Gyoen_Kan-zakura&Kawazu-zakura_Izaki 027B.jpg 2011.02.10_Shinjuku-Gyoen_Kan-zakura&Kawazu-zakura_Izaki 025.jpg
    2011.02.10_Shinjuku-Gyoen_Kan-zakura&Kawazu-zakura_Izaki 029.jpg 2011.02.10_Shinjuku-Gyoen_Kan-zakura&Kawazu-zakura_Izaki 031.jpg

    2 Kawazu-zakuras at the Ume (P. Mume) garden started to bloom and other one was not yet.
    2011.02.10_Shinjuku-Gyoen_Kan-zakura&Kawazu-zakura_Izaki 046.jpg 2011.02.10_Shinjuku-Gyoen_Kan-zakura&Kawazu-zakura_Izaki 048.jpg 2011.02.10_Shinjuku-Gyoen_Kan-zakura&Kawazu-zakura_Izaki 049.jpg
    2011.02.10_Shinjuku-Gyoen_Kan-zakura&Kawazu-zakura_Izaki 010.jpg

    Daffodils were at the peak bloom under Ume and Somei-yoshino trees. Ro-bai (Chimonanthus praecox) was blooming beautivully.
    2011.02.10_Shinjuku-Gyoen_Kan-zakura&Kawazu-zakura_Izaki 045.jpg 2011.02.10_Shinjuku-Gyoen_Kan-zakura&Kawazu-zakura_Izaki 042.jpg 2011.02.10_Shinjuku-Gyoen_Kan-zakura&Kawazu-zakura_Izaki 043.jpg
    2011.02.10_Shinjuku-Gyoen_Kan-zakura&Kawazu-zakura_Izaki 019.jpg

    Winter flowers of Jugatu-zakura(Autumnalis) and Kobuku-zakura there were finishing.
    2011.02.10_Shinjuku-Gyoen_Kan-zakura&Kawazu-zakura_Izaki 007.jpg 2011.02.10_Shinjuku-Gyoen_Kan-zakura&Kawazu-zakura_Izaki 008.jpg
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  13. eteinindia

    eteinindia Well-Known Member VCBF Cherry Scout 10 Years

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    February 16, 2011 was a beautiful day and I visited Koishikawa Botanical Garden again.
    Kan-zakura was full bloom or beyond full bloom. Some flowers dropped petals but new flowers were blooming. A lot of Mejiros (Japanese white eyes), small green birds with white mark around the eyes, came to the tree for nectar.

    2011.02.06_GalaYuzawa_Izaki 005.jpg 2011.02.06_GalaYuzawa_Izaki 009.jpg 2011.02.06_GalaYuzawa_Izaki 010.jpg

    Kawazu-zakura on Harima-zaka slope is blooming now. They started blooming with some old leaves on branches.
    Now we can see new green parts with flowers.
    2011.02.06_GalaYuzawa_Izaki 024.jpg 2011.02.06_GalaYuzawa_Izaki 023.jpg 2011.02.06_GalaYuzawa_Izaki 025.jpg
     
  14. alex66

    alex66 Rising Contributor Maple Society 10 Years

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    oh thank You great pics :)
     
  15. ddavis

    ddavis Member

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    It’s really nice to see such a wonderful display of cherry blossoms. The first time i learned about cherry blossoms is on Heroes when Hiro time warped to a certain place where there are lots of such flowers. I plan to visit Japan someday but i have to do some more research so i could chance upon the season of cherry blossoms. I have a friend who was very unfortunate and missed on the blossom.
     
  16. eteinindia

    eteinindia Well-Known Member VCBF Cherry Scout 10 Years

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    A massive earhquake just before cherry season

    At 2:46 PM on Friday, March 11, 2011, a massive earthquake hit wide areas of North-east Japan. It was measured magnitude 9.0 and it was the most destructive natural disaster in Japan's history. Soon after the earthquake, the largest Tsunamis in Japanese history attacked the North-east Shore of the main Island of Japan. Some of then were higher than the four story building. The disaster-stricken areas reach 400 kilo in length and 100 kilo in width.
    10 days has passed but we don’t know how big the total damage amounts. The National Police Agency said that as of Sunday, March 19th, night, more than 8,400 people had been confirmed dead and nearly 13,000 were reported missing. More than 250,000 people evacuated from their home and suffering the shortage of food, medicines, blankets, kerosene for the warmth and petrol for the cars.
    Tsunami also caused the very serious damages to Fukushima No.1 nuclear plant and now it is very dangerous condition. We don’t know what might happen.
    Even in Tokyo area aftershocks of the earthquake continue day and night. We are short of electricity and there are scheduled blackouts in the suburbs. I live at the center part of Tokyo. So there are no blackouts but stations and shops are so dark and many train and subway schedules were cut. Life in East part of Japan has changed since the earthquake.

    The earthquake this time is the largest earthquake in at least 1000 years. Japan is an island country which lies between latitudes 24° and 46°N, and longitudes 122° and 146°E. So we have very long beautiful costal lines. Also Japan locates at the crossing of the Philippine Sea Plate , Amurian Plate and Okinawa Plate. So we had a lot of natural disasters like earthquakes, Tsunamis and volcanic explosions.
    But those geographic characters made Japanese culture and Japanese nature. Japan has a very wide variety of plants and flowers. We have many kinds of wild cherries and a lot of cultivated cherries. There are lots of famous cherries like Takizakura in Miharu, Abukuma Cherry Corridor and Hanami-yama in Fukushima prefecture which is suffering from the earthquake, the tsunamis and the nuclear plants. (I believe those cherries locates rather inland and out of reach of Tsunamis)
    The earthquake and Tsunamis this time is the largest in the history. But Japanese have survived from those natural disasters and ruins of the world War Ⅱ and atomic bombs.
    Now we are struggling not only in the disaster but also economical and political situation and the graying of Japanese population. Our recovery will take years and decades. But I believe this disaster becomes a kind of shock therapy and Japan can revive and change into the better nation through this natural disaster.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Mar 22, 2011
  17. eteinindia

    eteinindia Well-Known Member VCBF Cherry Scout 10 Years

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    Kawazu-zakura in Kawazu and Minami Izu Town No.3​

    Then I went back to Kawazu station. The weather was getting better and there were many street stalls and a lot of people there. Kawazu-zakuras there were very beautiful but smaller than Minami Izu Town. They were carefully pruned not to disturb each other.
    2011.03.03_3.Kawazu_Izaki_ 006.jpg 2011.03.03_3.Kawazu_Izaki_ 008.jpg 2011.03.03_3.Kawazu_Izaki_ 011.jpg
    2011.03.03_3.Kawazu_Izaki_ 014.jpg 2011.03.03_3.Kawazu_Izaki_ 031.jpg 2011.03.03_3.Kawazu_Izaki_ 041.jpg

    There were several street stalls where young Kawazu-zakura tree were sold. I think 1 year-old plants of 1 to 2 meter high were 1000 yen to 1500 yen (100yen≒CA$82.9). I think that is a reason many private houses in the area have Kawazu-zakura in their garden,

    Then I walked to the original tree of Kawazu-zakura. It is now about 10 Meter high and healthy looking. But it was just a little beyond peak bloom. It was found in 1950s and planted at the private garden in Kawazu.
    2011.03.03_3.Kawazu_Izaki_ 045.jpg 2011.03.03_3.Kawazu_Izaki_ 047.jpg

    On my way back to the station I found a small cherry tree with very unique flowers at the gate of the local Library.
    2011.03.03_3.Kawazu_Izaki_ 054.jpg 2011.03.03_3.Kawazu_Izaki_ 057.jpg 2011.03.03_3.Kawazu_Izaki_ 060B.jpg
    I havent seen any cherries like this. We can see stamens changed into flagy shape in almost every flower. Is that vexillate filaments or staminodes? I dont know.

    This year spring is rather slow at this moment. In 2007 I visited Kawazu on February 27. At that time most of Kawazu-zakuras were beyond peak bloom. At that time I visited the park on Nesugata mountain and found white cherry flowers (the plate said Shirayuki) and pale pink cherries like O-kan-zakura was beautiful there. I also visited there this time but it was no use. Kawazu-zakura and Kan-zakura finished and Sirayuki and O-kan-zakura were not yet.

    Pictures of Frbruary 26, 2011 and February 27,2011
    2007年2.3月 051.jpg 2007年2.3月 076.jpg 2007年2.3月 077.jpg
    Pictures of March 3,2011
    2011.03.03_3.Kawazu_Izaki_ 011.jpg 2011.03.03_2.Shimoda_Nesugata-yama_Izaki_ 021.jpg 2011.03.03_2.Shimoda_Nesugata-yama_Izaki_ 033.jpg

    There are lines of O-kan-zakuras near Izu-Kogen station.. But they were not yet and I didnt have time to drop there. I hoped to visit there again in 2 weeks. Also I hoped to visit Oshima Island this spring. But I couldnt visit because of the earthquake.
     
    Last edited: Mar 22, 2011
  18. eteinindia

    eteinindia Well-Known Member VCBF Cherry Scout 10 Years

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    Kawazu-zakura in Kawazu and Minami-izu Town on March 3, 2011 No2​

    Kawazu-zakura in Minami Izu Town was almost peak bloom. I walked along the river. Kawazu-zakura was planted both side of the river. Kawazu-zakura trees there were bigger than my memory of Kawazu-zakura in Kawazu or some in Tokyo. They were planted at longer intervals than in Kawazu. They extended branches along the river band and looked free and very healthy.
    2011.03.03_1.Minami-Izu_Izaki 025.jpg 2011.03.03_1.Minami-Izu_Izaki 027.jpg 2011.03.03_1.Minami-Izu_Izaki 031.jpg
    In some places rape blossoms made beautiful contrast with Kawazu-zakura. It took more than 30 minutes to walk through cherry planted area. There are some hot springs there, too. Because of weather there weren’t many people there.
    2011.03.03_1.Minami-Izu_Izaki 023.jpg 2011.03.03_1.Minami-Izu_Izaki 036.jpg 2011.03.03_1.Minami-Izu_Izaki 042.jpg
    2011.03.03_1.Minami-Izu_Izaki 047.jpg 2011.03.03_1.Minami-Izu_Izaki 051.jpg 2011.03.03_1.Minami-Izu_Izaki 061.jpg

    Then I walked to a field of rape blossoms along the river. After lines of Kawazu-zakura finished, other cherry trees were planted. (But not all the way)They will bloom after Kawazu-zakura season finishes.
    2011.03.03_1.Minami-Izu_Izaki 066.jpg 2011.03.03_1.Minami-Izu_Izaki 067.jpg 2011.03.03_1.Minami-Izu_Izaki 069.jpg

    I found a bird I haven’t seen there near the river.
    2011.03.03_1.Minami-Izu_Izaki 070.jpg 2011.03.03_1.Minami-Izu_Izaki 071.jpg 2011.03.03_1.Minami-Izu_Izaki 073.jpg

    After 20 minutes I arrived at a field of rape blossoms. It was wide and beautiful.
    2011.03.03_1.Minami-Izu_Izaki 086.jpg 2011.03.03_1.Minami-Izu_Izaki 087.jpg 2011.03.03_1.Minami-Izu_Izaki 092.jpg

    Other kind of cherries were planted from there to the lower parts of river. Local man at the parking said they were Somei-yoshinos and blooms almost same time as Somei-yoshinos in Tokyo. But the bark of the trees were whiter than Somei-yoshino I know. They are young trees so the bark might different looking.(I don't know)
    2011.03.03_1.Minami-Izu_Izaki 082.jpg 2011.03.03_1.Minami-Izu_Izaki 083.jpg 2011.03.03_1.Minami-Izu_Izaki 084.jpg
     
  19. eteinindia

    eteinindia Well-Known Member VCBF Cherry Scout 10 Years

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    Kawazu-zakuras in Kawazu( Izu Penunsula) & Minami-Izu Town No.1​

    On March 3, 2011, I visited Minami-Izu Town and Kawazu to see Kawazu-zakura. Both locates near the tip of Izu Peninsula. Now Kawazu is a very popular destination of pre-cherry-viewing season. Kawazu-zakura was found in 1950s in Kawazu. It becomes in full bloom at the end of February. The flower has 5 beautiful bright pink petals and it is a bit bigger than Kan-zakura.
    2011.03.03_3.Kawazu_Izaki_ 026.jpg 2011.03.03_3.Kawazu_Izaki_ 027.jpg

    (Some books say Kawazu-zakura has serrated sepals. But what I took in Minami Iza wasn't so. I don't know it really is Kawazu-zakura. I didn't know those character. So I didn't take photos of many trees there. )
    2011.03.03_1.Minami-Izu_Izaki 021.jpg 2011.03.03_1.Minami-Izu_Izaki 022.jpg

    Kawazu-zakura is said to be a hybrid of Kan-hi-zakura and Oshima-zakura.
    2011.03.13_KoishikawaBG_O-kan-zakura&Soshun-zakura._Izaki 054.jpg 20100408_KoganeiPark_.Izaki 091.jpg

    It was a beautiful morning around my place in Tokyo on March 3, so I decided to visit there. First I headed for Shimoda to take a bus to Minami Izu Town. It took about 2 and a half hours even using express train to Shimoda. When I arrived at Shimoda, the weather changed and it was drizzling there. Before I arrive Minami Izu, it stopped raining. But it didn’t become beautiful blue sky good for pictures.
     
  20. eteinindia

    eteinindia Well-Known Member VCBF Cherry Scout 10 Years

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    Koishikawa Botanical Garden on March 13, 2011 and March 19,2011

    On March 11, 2011, I visited Koishikawa Botanical Garden to see early cherries . But this year, it’s very cold and early cherries are a bit slow. Temperature stays low like winter even though sunshine became spring one.
    Han-hi-zakura, Cerasus campanulata, was in full bloom. Many birds came to take nectars.
    2011.03.13_KoishikawaBG_O-kan-zakura&Soshun-zakura._Izaki 053.jpg 2011.03.13_KoishikawaBG_O-kan-zakura&Soshun-zakura._Izaki 054.jpg 2011.03.13_KoishikawaBG_O-kan-zakura&Soshun-zakura._Izaki 056.jpg
    O-kan-zakuras, which was called “Angyo-kan-hi” in Koishikawa Botanical Garden and Soshun-zakuras were Just started to bloom. Last year I visited there on March 11,2010 and found both blooming about 70 %.
    2011.03.13_KoishikawaBG_O-kan-zakura&Soshun-zakura._Izaki 002.jpg 2011.03.13_KoishikawaBG_O-kan-zakura&Soshun-zakura._Izaki 027.jpg 2011.03.13_KoishikawaBG_O-kan-zakura&Soshun-zakura._Izaki 033.jpg
    Instead Ume (P. Mume), especially weeping types. were very beautiful there.
    2011.03.13_KoishikawaBG_O-kan-zakura&Soshun-zakura._Izaki 014.jpg 2011.03.13_KoishikawaBG_O-kan-zakura&Soshun-zakura._Izaki 017.jpg 2011.03.13_KoishikawaBG_O-kan-zakura&Soshun-zakura._Izaki 015.jpg

    I visited there again on March 19, 2011.
    O-Kan-zakuras were beautiful.
    2011.03.19_KoishikawaBG1_O-kan-zakura_Izaki_ 008.jpg 2011.03.19_KoishikawaBG1_O-kan-zakura_Izaki_ 015.jpg 2011.03.19_KoishikawaBG1_O-kan-zakura_Izaki_ 018.jpg

    But there were 3 beautiful green parrots doing naughty works. They continued to pick flowers at a speed of 1 flower less than 2 seconds. Mother and daughters were waiting to get them. They were not native birds. They were abandoned or run away and survived in Tokyo. Japanese birds drink nectars and eat petals and ruin cherries but those parrots give greater damages.
    2011.03.19_KoishikawaBG1_O-kan-zakura_Izaki_ 007.jpg 2011.03.19_KoishikawaBG1_O-kan-zakura_Izaki_ 024.jpg 2011.03.19_KoishikawaBG1_O-kan-zakura_Izaki_ 021.jpg

    2 Sosyun-zakura , quite similar to Okame, I think, were full bloom. 1 tree got taller and 1 didn’t change so much from last year.
    2011.03.19_KoishikawaBG1_O-kan-zakura_Izaki_ 043.jpg
    Taller one has paler flowers which were looking downwards. And petals might be narrower.
    2011.03.19_KoishikawaBG1_O-kan-zakura_Izaki_ 052.jpg 2011.03.19_KoishikawaBG1_O-kan-zakura_Izaki_ 046.jpg 2011.03.19_KoishikawaBG1_O-kan-zakura_Izaki_ 051.jpg
    Shorter one has dense flowers. They are a bit darker pink and round impression.
    2011.03.19_KoishikawaBG1_O-kan-zakura_Izaki_ 053.jpg 2011.03.19_KoishikawaBG1_O-kan-zakura_Izaki_ 057.jpg

    Kanzaki-Oshima just started to bloom. Kanzaki-Ohima is a early blooming type of Oshima-zakura. It has large white flowers almost together with green leaves.
    2011.03.19_KoishikawaBG1_O-kan-zakura_Izaki_ 061.jpg 2011.03.19_KoishikawaBG1_O-kan-zakura_Izaki_ 065.jpg 2011.03.19_KoishikawaBG1_O-kan-zakura_Izaki_ 062.jpg
    2011.03.19_KoishikawaBG1_O-kan-zakura_Izaki_ 070.jpg 2011.03.19_KoishikawaBG1_O-kan-zakura_Izaki_ 063.jpg

    Camellias were blooming beautiful. In Japan camellias are thought to be winter flowers but they became fine condition in spring sunlight.
    2011.03.19_KoishikawaBG1_O-kan-zakura_Izaki_ 001.jpg 2011.03.19_KoishikawaBG1_O-kan-zakura_Izaki_ 003.jpg 2011.03.19_KoishikawaBG1_O-kan-zakura_Izaki_ 004.jpg
    Purple Rhododendrons were started to bloom.
    2011.03.19_KoishikawaBG1_O-kan-zakura_Izaki_ 077.jpg 2011.03.19_KoishikawaBG1_O-kan-zakura_Izaki_ 076.jpg 2011.03.19_KoishikawaBG1_O-kan-zakura_Izaki_ 075.jpg
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Mar 25, 2011
  21. wcutler

    wcutler Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator VCBF Cherry Scout 10 Years

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    Those parrots made for a wonderful photo, though.
     
  22. eteinindia

    eteinindia Well-Known Member VCBF Cherry Scout 10 Years

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    Declaration of Somei-yoshino started blooming in Tokyo

    Yesterday, March 28, 2011, the Meteorological Agency of Japan declared the blooming of Somei-yoshino in Tokyo. The reference Somei-yoshino tree at Yasukuni Shrine near Imperial Palace had more than 5 flowers on March 28. It was 6 days later than last year and it is the average blooming day. The Weather Map (one of the weather forecasting company) forecast the peak bloom will be April 8.They will be in full bloom after 1 week. Please see Cherry Blossom Report 2011

    Last year I noticed the Somei-yoshinos I can see from my window started blooming on the same day the Meteorological Agency declared blooming. But this year they havent bloomed yet today. I went out and look around but I didnt notice any Somei-yoshino blooming. But it became quite warm Today(March 29). So perhaps I will notice blooming tomorrow (March 30, 2011)

    Now we are really waiting the blooming of Somei-yoshino. Because it means the weather changed and real spring started. This year most of the Cherry Blossom Festivals and Cherry Illuminations were cancelled. After the East Japan Earthquake and the Tsunami, the evacuees and the victims are suffering the coldness very much. Even the residents of Tokyo and seven neighbouring prefectures are suffering shortages of electricity. The problems of Fukushima No.1 nuclear plant wont be solved in short time. But the arrive of the spring weather will help us greatly and cherries will cheer up our sprits a lot.
     
  23. eteinindia

    eteinindia Well-Known Member VCBF Cherry Scout 10 Years

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    Somei-yoshinos in Tokyo No.1​
    Today is April 19, 2011 in Tokyo. Somei-yoshinos here had totally finished. Now it became warm and real spring came to Tokyo. Fresh new green leaves are beautiful.
    I caught cold and I couldn't have a time to post during Somei-yoshino season. Also I couldn't go out to any special site for Somei-yoshino this year, but I saw a lot of Somei-yoshinos in my daily life and took pictures. I'll post them today.

    On March 28, the Meteorological Agency of Japan declared the blooming of Somei-yoshino in Tokyo this year. But I didn't notice any Somei-yoshinos blooming that day. This year coldness like winter stayed on the Main Island of Japan for longer time and spring was slow.

    On March 30, I noticed some flowers blooming on the Somei-yoshino I can see from my window.
    2011.03.30_Hakusan&Kasuga_Izaki_ 004.jpg 2011.03.30_Hakusan&Kasuga_Izaki_ 002.jpg

    On the same day, I visited Koishikawa Korakuen Park. There Sidare-zakuras had started blooming. But Somei-yoshinos were not yet.
    2011.03.30_koishikawaKorakuenPark_Shidarre,Edo-higan,etc._Izaki_ 002.jpg 2011.03.30_koishikawaKorakuenPark_Shidarre,Edo-higan,etc._Izaki_ 005.jpg 2011.03.30_koishikawaKorakuenPark_Shidarre,Edo-higan,etc._Izaki_ 024.jpg
    I saw two beautiful cherries started blooming. One was Edo-higan.
    2011.03.30_koishikawaKorakuenPark_Shidarre,Edo-higan,etc._Izaki_ 028.jpg 2011.03.30_koishikawaKorakuenPark_Shidarre,Edo-higan,etc._Izaki_ 043.jpg 2011.03.30_koishikawaKorakuenPark_Shidarre,Edo-higan,etc._Izaki_ 044.jpg
    But I couldn’t identify the other one. I’m not sure it was Somei-yoshino or not. It was about 30 % blooming. The tree was too high. I could take pictures of flowers but I couldn’t see by my eyes. I needed parrots to drop flowers from high above.
    2011.03.30_koishikawaKorakuenPark_Shidarre,Edo-higan,etc._Izaki_ 033.jpg 2011.03.30_koishikawaKorakuenPark_Shidarre,Edo-higan,etc._Izaki_ 034.jpg 2011.03.30_koishikawaKorakuenPark_Shidarre,Edo-higan,etc._Izaki_ 036.jpg

    On April 2, I visited Koishikawa Botanic Garden. There Somei-yoshinos were about 20 % blooming.
    2011.04.02_KoishikawaBG_Somei-yoshino&Gun-zakura&Amagi._Izaki_ 012.jpg 2011.04.02_KoishikawaBG_Somei-yoshino&Gun-zakura&Amagi._Izaki_ 018.jpg 2011.04.02_KoishikawaBG_Somei-yoshino&Gun-zakura&Amagi._Izaki_ 016.jpg

    On April 4, I visited in-law’s house. There is Shakujii River near there. Somei-yoshinos were about 20 to 40 % blooming there.
    2011.04.04_2ShakujiiRiver_Somei-yoshino_Izaki_ 001.jpg 2011.04.04_2ShakujiiRiver_Somei-yoshino_Izaki_ 002.jpg 2011.04.04_2ShakujiiRiver_Somei-yoshino_Izaki_ 004.jpg

    April 5 was also a beautiful day like the day before. But from that day temperature went up and more flowers bloomed. Somei-yoshino around Shakujii River became about 60 % blooming until the evening. Some trees were almost full bloom. Some were still not yet.
    2011.04.05_ShakujiiRiver_Nerima-takanodai_Somei-yoshino_Izaki_ 019.jpg 2011.04.05_ShakujiiRiver_Nerima-takanodai_Somei-yoshino_Izaki_ 016.jpg 2011.04.05_ShakujiiRiver_Nerima-takanodai_Somei-yoshino_Izaki_ 015.jpg

    On April 7, I visited Koishikawa botanical Garden. There Somei-yoshinos there became full bloom.
    2011.04.07_2KoishikawaBG_Somei-yoshino&etc._Izaki_ 034.jpg 2011.04.07_2KoishikawaBG_Somei-yoshino&etc._Izaki_ 023.jpg 2011.04.07_2KoishikawaBG_Somei-yoshino&etc._Izaki_ 037.jpg
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 18, 2011
  24. wcutler

    wcutler Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator VCBF Cherry Scout 10 Years

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    Thanks, Mariko. The tree in that last photo is amazing! Beautiful too.
     
  25. eteinindia

    eteinindia Well-Known Member VCBF Cherry Scout 10 Years

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    Somei-yoshinos in Tokyo No.2​
    On April 9, I visited Yaho for my chamber music rehearsal. There were beautiful tunnels of Somei-yoshinos. Unfortunately the weather was not good and there wasn’t Cherry Festival this year. I didn’t go around. But Somei-yoshinos there were very healthy and beautiful.
    2011.04.09_Yaho_Somei-yoshino_Izaki_ 002.jpg 2011.04.09_Yaho_Somei-yoshino_Izaki_ 004.jpg 2011.04.09_Yaho_Somei-yoshino_Izaki_ 005.jpg

    April 10 became a beautiful Sunday with full bloom Somei-yoshinos. There were a lot of people in Koishikawa Botanical Garden. Many were having lunch under the cherry trees.
    2011.04.10_2KoishikawaBG_Izaki_ 079.jpg 2011.04.10_2KoishikawaBG_Izaki_ 091.jpg 2011.04.10_2KoishikawaBG_Izaki_ 113.jpg
    2011.04.10_2KoishikawaBG_Izaki_ 115.jpg 2011.04.10_2KoishikawaBG_Izaki_ 116.jpg
    There is one unique cherry which is a bit different from Somei-yoshino. There is no name on it.
    2011.04.10_2KoishikawaBG_Izaki_ 106.jpg 2011.04.10_2KoishikawaBG_Izaki_ 109.jpg 2011.04.10_2KoishikawaBG_Izaki_ 111.jpg
    Somei-yoshinos on Harima-zaka Road were beautiful. Some of them already losing petals and green leaves came out.
    2011.04.10_3Harima-zaka_Somei-yoshino_Izaki_ 004.jpg 2011.04.10_3Harima-zaka_Somei-yoshino_Izaki_ 015.jpg 2011.04.10_3Harima-zaka_Somei-yoshino_Izaki_ 017.jpg

    On April 12, I visited Shinjuku-gyoen Park. Somei-yoshinos were beyond peak bloom but still very beautiful there.
    2011.04.12_Shinjuku-g&#653.jpg
    (It was a beautiful day and I took most beautiful pictures of this spring. But somohow I can't attach here??? I'll try after I submit once.)
    There are 2 Akebonos in the park. One was beautiful and 1 was beyond peak.
    There were a lot of other cherries were blooming.
    But double cherries which started blooming before Somei-yoshino finished last year hadn't started yet.

    On April 14, I visited Koishikawa Botanical Garden again. Somei-yoshinos were finishing. Petals were on the ground and they were also beautiful.
    2011.04.14_2KoishikawaBG_Izaki_ 003.jpg 2011.04.14_2KoishikawaBG_Izaki_ 017.jpg 2011.04.14_2KoishikawaBG_Izaki_ 019.jpg

    From April 14, it became very warm. The temperature got over 20 degrees for 3 days. It was like early summer weather on April 16. The lowest temperature in Tokyo was 16.4 and the highest was 24.6 degrees. It quickened the finish of Somei-yoshino.

    After April 18 it became normal Spring weather. Now it is time for double cherries and others.
     

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