Cherry Blossom Report 2013
Official cherry blossom reports by japan-guide.com

2013 Cherry Blossom Forecast - Schedule of upcoming reports - Popular cherry blossom spots
How to do hanami? - Cherry tree varieties - Post your own report

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2013/04/02 - Hiroshima Report
by schauwecker

Hiroshima's cherry blossoms were reported to have opened on March 22 and to have reached full bloom four days ago on March 29, almost one week earlier than in the average year. Today, I checked the state of the blossoms at multiple hanami spots across the city center and on the nearby island of Miyajima to find that the trees have started to drop their first petals.

Miyajima
April 2, 2013 - petals starting to fall

A moderate number of cherry trees are planted across the town of Miyajima, behind Itsukushima Shrine and in a couple of small parks along the outskirts of town. They further enhance a visit to the lovely island during this time of the year. One of the best places for the blossoms is around the two-story tahoto style pagoda.

Many cherry trees on Miyajima have started to shed some first petals, however, they are likely to survive today's rain in a relatively good shape and continue to please visitors over the coming three sunny days. The rain predicted for the weekend, however, may bring the season to an end.

The large torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine and the two-story tahoto pagoda

The trees were still close to full bloom

View over Itsukushima Shrine towards the 5-story pagoda

The two pagodas combined into a single picture

The tame deer on Miyajima have a liking for the fallen petals

A different way to enjoy the cherry blossoms

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park
April 2, 2013 - full bloom

A long row of cherry trees line the river along the eastern edge of the Peace Memorial Park, providing many hanami picnic spots. Due to constant rain, however, hanami activity was understandably low today. Despite the rain, I did not spot a considerable amount of petals beneath the park's trees yet. They still stood at full bloom.

Hanami activity was low

Blossoms with the Genbaku Dome in the background

Hiroshima Castle
April 2, 2013 - petals starting to fall

A ten minute walk from the Peace Memorial Park stands Hiroshima Castle which is surrounded by several hundred cherry trees. Here, the petals have started to fall, but the trees were still close to full bloom and should continue to provide good hanami conditions over the next few days.

Hiroshima Castle

The trees around the castle looked still pretty full

Shukkeien Garden
April 2, 2013 - petals starting to fall

Another five minute walk away, I visited Shukkeien, a traditional Japanese pond garden that features several cherry trees. The state of the blossoms was identical to the one at Hiroshima Castle except for a few further advanced trees in the back of the garden that were already beyond their peak.

Shukkeien's unique bridge

Petals have started to fall

Various cherry and peach trees provide a symphony of seasonal colors

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List of Posts:
2013/05/09 - Hakodate Report
2013/05/08 - Matsumae Report
2013/05/02 - Hirosaki Report
2013/05/01 - Kakunodate Report
2013/04/30 - Kitakami Report
2013/04/18 - Sendai Report
2013/04/17 - Takayama Report
2013/04/15 - Fukushima Report
2013/04/12 - Matsumoto Report
2013/04/11 - Kyoto Report
2013/04/10 - Mount Fuji Report
2013/04/10 - Hakone Report
2013/04/10 - Kanazawa Report
2013/04/09 - Yoshino Report
2013/04/08 - Kyoto Report
2013/04/08 - Tokyo Report
2013/04/05 - Mount Fuji Report
2013/04/04 - Kyoto Report
2013/04/04 - Gunma Report
2013/04/03 - Takamatsu Report
2013/04/02 - Osaka Report
2013/04/02 - Hiroshima Report
2013/04/01 - Tokyo Report
2013/04/01 - Kyoto Report
2013/03/29 - Tokyo Report
2013/03/28 - Gunma Report
2013/03/28 - Kyoto Report
2013/03/27 - Osaka Report
2013/03/27 - Fukuoka Report
2013/03/26 - Nagoya Report
2013/03/26 - Kamakura Report
2013/03/26 - Okayama Report
2013/03/25 - Tokyo Report
2013/03/24 - Kyoto Report
2013/03/23 - Kagoshima Report
2013/03/22 - Kumamoto Report
2013/03/21 - Tokyo Report
2013/03/21 - Fukuoka Report
2013/03/20 - Kyoto Report
2013/03/17 - Tokyo Report
2013/03/12 - Tokyo Report
2013/02/28 - Kawazu Report