Fukuoka: Full Bloom

After my report yesterday in Tokyo where the trees were just approaching full bloom, my next report in Fukuoka showed things were a bit further along. Here, we have our first full bloom report of the season!

Today I visited the park grounds around the Fukuoka Castle Ruins, and then took a trip by the coast to Uminonakamichi Seaside Park. Both had just reached full bloom, and were attracting a lot of visitors. No rain to batter the blossoms is currently forecast for this week, and the slightly cooler temperatures could prolong their best viewing period.

My first visit of the day was to the Fukuoka Castle Ruins and its surrounding park grounds. Around 80% of the flowers on the cherry trees were in bloom, indicating the start of the full bloom period. I predict they will be in their best state for viewing until around April 8, in the absence of intense weather conditions.

The cherry blossoms are lit up in the evenings in the castle ruins area until April 6 (daily from 18:00 to 22:00). During the illumination event, there are three paid areas, which cost 600 yen per area or 1500 yen for all three areas. E-tickets are available through kkday.

Arriving at Uminonakamichi Seaside Park by bus, I was greeted by a lovely line of cherry blossoms at the entrance, and another section of them not far inside the park, too. Although some of these first trees still had a few unopened flowers, overall they were looking very pretty in their full bloom state.

Further into the park, there is a beautiful area called Flower Hill, which has cherry trees neighboring a field of blue nemophila flowers. Only a portion of the nemophila were in bloom, but there were enough for pretty pictures. There is also a section with canola flowers and cherries towards the West Cycling Center. Note that the park closes at 17:30 with entry until an hour before, and on March 6 the park will be free to enter for a day (usually 450 yen).