Fukui: Full Bloom

Today I visited Fukui City, the capital of Fukui Prefecture. Access to the city from Tokyo was made more convenient a year ago when the Hokuriku Shinkansen line was extended from Kanazawa. Today, Fukui enjoys a direct bullet train connection from Tokyo, and offers visitors a peaceful and enjoyable cherry blossom experience without the crowds like at its popular neighbor.

I visited three popular cherry blossom spots in Fukui, and observed that the cherry blossoms were at their best viewing. I expect the flowers to remain at their best for at least the next few days. Tomorrow (Wednesday April 9) will be the best day this week for cherry blossom viewing (hanami) as the weather is forecast to be sunny with warm temperatures. Rain is forecast for the later half of the week, which is likely to put a damper on hanami parties and possibly have a negative impact on the longevity of the blossoms.

My first spot is the Asuwa River, where over 600 cherry trees line an approximately two kilometer section of the river. The main cherry tree area is about 20 minutes on foot from Fukui Station. I observed the cherry blossoms along the river to be almost at full bloom, and expect the flowers to remain at their best through till the end of this week. The rain forecast for Thursday and Friday may cause some petals to fall prematurely, and it is likely that this coming weekend would be the last chance to enjoy the sakura along the river.

Until April 13, a 1.5 kilometer stretch of the cherry trees will be illuminated in the evenings from 18:00 to 22:00.

My second spot was Asuwa Shrine, not far from the river and midway up Mount Asuwa. The shrine is known for its approximately 380 year old weeping cherry tree, which I observed to be at full bloom. Tomorrow will be the best day this week to see the blossoms in good weather as rain is forecast for the later half of the week.

Until April 20, the weeping cherry tree will be illuminated from 18:00 till 23:00.

My final spot was the Fukui Castle Ruins, a stone's throw from Fukui Station. I found the cherry blossoms on the former castle grounds to be at full bloom. I expect the flowers to remain at their best for the next few days, with tomorrow being the best day this week to see the sakura at full bloom in good weather. The forecast rain in the later half of the week may shorten the best viewing period, and this coming weekend is probably the last chance to see the cherry blossoms before they start losing their petals.

Until April 13, the castle walls are illuminated in the evening from 18:00 to 22:00.