Sakura

Cherry Blossoms

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Cherry blossom viewing spots in central Japan (Nagoya, etc.)

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2024 is a strange year for Hanami (花見) (cherry blossom viewing) in Japan. Cherry blossoms are generally much later than usual in southern Japan and earlier than usual in northern Japan. As such, instead of gradually blooming from south to north, Sakura in many parts of Japan reached full bloom together on around 10 April. I had expected to miss full bloom in Nagoya (名古屋) by the time I reached Japan in early April, but surprisingly, Sakura there just started blooming. It would usually take about 5-10 days to reach full bloom. In any case, my focus for this trip was Hanami spots in other parts of the Chubu (中部) region, and it would be the first time I am "chasing" Sakura by car! Below are the places I covered this time, in order of prefecture: 1. Asahi Funagawa Spring Quartet (舟川四重奏) in Toyama prefecture (富山県) This is actually the place I looked forward to most this trip, based on online photos. It did not disappoint, and I have added it to my list of impressive Hanami spots. ...
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Kyoto

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(Last updated in Spring 2024) Kyoto（京都）, where Japan's capital was (794~1868), is the prefecture I dread to write about the most. (So I actually left it to one of the last.) Because there are TOO MANY amazing places I've been to during my 2 years stay in Kobe, so I don't quite know how to start, or if I'd be able to stop once I get started :P Perhaps to some people, Kyoto is just full of temples and shrines. I wouldn't deny that. But there are many outstanding ones, and different temples look best in different seasons. For example, Kinkakuji（金閣寺）is the place to go when it snows, Nijo Castle（二条城）is the place to go for sakura viewing at night, Heian Shrine（平安神宮）is best seen in Spring, Summer is the time for Mimurotoji（三室戸寺）, and Autumn is the time for Sanzenin（三千院）, Arashiyama（嵐山）and Kitano Tenmangu（北野天満宮）! Though overall, it is best to visit Kyoto in spring and autumn for the awesome sakura views and autumn foliage. Places I have visited in Central Kyoto ...
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Unkai (Cloud) Terrace in Tomamu

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The Unkai (雲海, cloud) Terrace in Tomamu has been gaining popularity in recent years. It is commonly on the itinerary of visitors to Central Hokkaido（北海道）in summer, together with flower fields in nearby Furano（富良野）. This year, I finally managed to make my first attempt to see the unkai. (Photo from Hoshino Resorts Tomamu website) Seeing the unkai requires much luck and effort. The weather conditions have to be right for the right amount of clouds to form at the right altitude. Also, it is better to reach the terrace early (4+ am). In fact, the gondola to the terrace only operates in the early morning. The Unkai Terrace website  provides unkai forecast for the next morning at 3 pm, and updates the unkai status slightly before 4 am on the day itself. It also collates the unkai occurences for the past 7 days. According to the website, possibility of seeing the unkai is only 30% to 50%. In order to maximise the chance of seeing unkai, we planned 3 nights stay in Tomamu. It...
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