Sakurayama Koen: Fall Colors and Winter-blooming Cherry Blossoms
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November 15, 2014 - Sakurayama Koen: Fall Colors and Winter-blooming Cherry Blossoms
Sakurayama Koen in Onishi area, Fujioka City, Gunma Prefecture is known for its "fuyu-zakura", or winter-blooming cherry blossoms. These sakura, while by no means as full as their spring blooming cousins, provide a great opportunity to see the flowers if you can't visit Japan during spring. They are usually blooming from about mid-November through December.
The extremely lucky can sometimes catch these flowers in sync with the fall colors for some really beautiful pictures.
As you can see from the above picture, the trees are hardly starting to show now. The hillside should be much whiter. As it is, I estimate a good 2-3 weeks before seeing peak from these flowers.
Unfortunately, this year's fall colors are in full swing, and probably reach peak this week, so there wont be many pictures of both this year. Some years you win, some years you don't.
Around the lake area were some very nice colors. Some trees are peak now, and a few are getting there quickly but still showing some green.
Lanterns and lights are placed around the ground for the light-up at night.
Sakurayama Koen can be reached by train to Shinmachi Station on the Takasaki (or Shonen-Shinjuku) Line then by bus. You can also take the Hachiko Line to Gunma-Fujioka station and catch a bus there as well.
However, there are frequent buses to Sakurayama direct from Tokyo, so JTB might have some information on tours for those interested.
Finally, if you've got time or are driving yourself, I also recommend nearby Joumine Koen on the Saitama side, which has a different feel but no less beautiful colors and blossoms. (See my previous trip report on Joumine)
Enjoy!
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