Spring

Spring

Chasing petals down quiet lanes and mossy temples; spring is when Japan’s hidden corners breathe in color.

Marvelous Naruto Strait: Akashi Bridge Whirlpools - A stunning natural wonder in Japan. Dynamic
Spring

Naruto Whirlpools

Find yourself in the middle of the Naruto Strait where the tidal currents slosh against each other.

Tidal Whirlpool Peak
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Enchanting Nomizo Waterfall and Cave in Chiba, Japan: A breathtaking natural wonder. Easy walk
Chiba

Nomizo Falls: The Heart of Light

6.30am and Nomizo is quick to reveal itself. Little by little, a streak of light is emerging. Pretty impressive.

Busy
2–3 hours (half-day trip from Tokyo, especially if visiting at sunrise)
Yoshinoyama Vibrant
Japan

Yoshinoyama, The Cherry-blossom Mountain

Mount Yoshino is the most famous sakura site in Japan. With more than 30,000 cherry trees covering the whole mountain, the very idea seems fantastic. But is this really the best site? To get off to a good start, here’s my favourite scene of the day.

Cherry Blossom Peak
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Tranquil Mifuneyama Park in Japan offers lush greenery, colorful flowers, and sweeping mountain views. Vibrant
Kyushu

Mifuneyama Rakuen: An Avalanche of Azaleas

Near the small town of Takeo there rises Mifuneyama, a proud mountain apparently covered with heads of broccoli. But a magical gardener has passed by and poured the juice of soft fruits over them, to announce the arrival of spring. Welcome to Mifuneyama Rakuen, a park that literally transports you to paradise.

Azalea Bloom
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Winter scene in Roppongi, Tokyo with snow-covered branches and crimson berries creating enchanting beauty. Luminous
Japan

The Cherry Blossoms in Tokyo

I have been taken short notice once again by the early bloom of the cherry trees and I had to figure out an urgent day to wander the Tokyo streets and find nice scenes.

Cherry Blossom Peak
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Serene Nezu Shrine with lush azalea gardens, a vibrant Japanese oasis of colorful flowers. Vibrant
Bunkyo

The Azaleas of Nezu Shrine

The biggest azaleas explosion is at Nezu Shrine : there are some 3,000 shrubs of about ten different colours, just that !

Azalea Festival
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Cherry Blossom Beauty in Tokyo: A vibrant display of nature and culture in Japan. Serene
Japan

Spring 2013: The Sakura of Peace

This year my wish was to let Kami-sama take me by the hand for nice, random walks through the city and enjoy the hanami in a more spiritual and romantic way.

Cherry Blossom Peak
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Solar eclipse with suns corona against dark, cloudy sky in Japan 2012. Ethereal
Japan

Eclipse 2012 seen from Tokyo

The full eclipse of 2012, in Tokyo.

Solar Eclipse
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Tranquil white cherry blossoms in bloom at Shinjuku Garden, Tokyo, against red foliage backdrop. Vibrant
Japan

Yet Another Spring Comes in Japan

Last year when I first arrived in Japan, I was really looking forward to my first Hanami. But unfortunately the earthquake happened just before the warm south wind came, and everyone was told to constrain themselves and feel sad for the people who died and suffered, instead of enjoy cherry blossoms.

Cherry Blossom Peak
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