Hirosaki: Petals Starting To Fall

Following yesterday's report from Kakunodate, today I was in Aomori Prefecture to visit Hirosaki Castle - one of the country's best-loved cherry blossom-viewing spots with defensive moats, turrets and a three-story keep all adding to the sense of atmosphere. The castle and its grounds lie within the expansive public space of Hirosaki Park, which altogether boasts around 2,600 cherry blossom trees.

My first glimpse of blossom was along the outer moats at the edge of the park, which are lined on both sides with cherry blossom trees that tend to reach their peak just ahead of the ones inside. At the time of my visit, these were still attractive in places but overall were already looking quite bare - especially along the southern end near Hirosaki City Hall, where strong gusts of wind were creating little blizzards of petals.

The trees inside the park were noticeably fuller and more attractive, especially in spots with some shelter from the wind. In the highest part - the paid area surrounding the castle keep - the most typical Somei Yoshino type was already thinning out while a later-blooming type of pink weeping blossoms was still striking and vibrant. Another highlight was along the "sakura tunnel", where rows of blossoming trees form a canopy of petals over a causeway running alongside the western moat - this was especially beautiful, even as it continued to lose petals to the strong wind.

Overall, the park is now right at the end of its best viewing period and likely to deteriorate quickly through tomorrow as the blustery weather continues.