Even in Golden Week you can enjoy strolling here without the crowds that you will find in Kyoto. (Photo: Bonson Lam)

The Last Blossoms of Kakunodate

A thousand cherry blossoms in Springtime

Bonson Lam   - 1分鐘閱讀時間

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.

Bonson Lam

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...