Hakodate: Full Bloom

A day on from yesterday's report from Hirosaki Castle Park, today I followed the cherry blossom frontline up into Japan's northernmost island of Hokkaido. My destination today was Fort Goryokaku, a unique star-shaped citadel and Japan's first western-style fort, built in the closing years of the Edo Period (1603-1868) as a bulwark against foreign imperialism. Today, it's an impressive public park with over 1,500 cherry blossom trees planted throughout its grounds.

Before making my way into the park itself, my first stop was at the Goryokaku Tower - a 107 meter structure offering a commanding view across the whole of the park from its top floor observation deck. To mark the cherry blossom season, the tower will open an hour earlier than usual from 8:00 to 19:00 until May 6.

Inside, the cherry blossoom had only just reached full bloom, creating some wonderful scenes along its angled moats, groves and grassy spaces. Overall, the trees outside the moat looked just slightly more vibrant and well-developed, while many inside the old defenses looked to be about a day behind. Best viewing should last a few more days but may be cut short before the end of the coming week by forecasted strong wind and rain.

As in previous years, gas barbeques are permitted in a special roped-off area immediately to the west of the former Magistrate's Office from 10:00 until 18:00, and the blossoms will be illuminated from 19:00 to 21:00 until May 6.