Cherry Blossom Report: Nara
by Scott, staff writer of japan-guide.com
This journal is a log of my travels within Japan. Here you'll find my personal opinions on the places I've been and the things I've seen. Also expect to see the occasional review and editorial. Thanks for reading.
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2010/04/03 - Cherry Blossom Report: Nara
It has been two weeks since the cherry blossoms in Nara opened and a week since our last visit to the city. Today's report includes follow up visits to Heijo Palace, Nara Park and Wakakusayama.
Heijo Palace
April 3, 2010 - approaching full bloom (50-80%)
The first stop on today's itinerary was the grounds of the former Heijo Palace where construction workers were working on a Saturday as they rush to complete the palace renovations before Nara's 1300th anniversary celebrations which begin in about three weeks.
The cherry blossoms around the former palace grounds appear slightly behind the rest of Nara and are still approaching full bloom. They are nearly fully open though, and it may just be a matter of days before they are at their best.
Many people were taking advantage of the good weather today and picnicking under the cherry trees that line the perimeter of the central area of the palace grounds.
Nara Park
April 3, 2010 - full bloom
Next I headed over to Nara Park, which I figured would be crowded with cherry blossom viewing parties. Surprisingly it wasn't at all as busy as I expected, especially considering that the weather and cherry blossoms were so nice today and that its a weekend. Also surprising was that there were relatively few deer wandering around compared to what I am used to. Maybe they were picnicking in another part of the park.
The trees around Nara Park have just reached full bloom and look beautiful. They should remain nice through next week.
Nara Kokonoe Zakura, a variety of cherry blossom local to Nara, are scattered around the park and can be found in large numbers on the eastern side of the grounds that lie between Nara Park and Wakakusayama. These late blooming trees are only just beginning to open.
Wakakusayama
April 3, 2010 - full bloom
My final stop of the day was to Wakakusayama behind Nara Park to check out the views over the city from the top of the hill. The view was beautiful and I you could see the various landmarks such as the great hall of Todaiji Temple or the pagoda at Kofukuji Temple poking out through the trees of Nara Park.
The cherry trees around the grassy base of Wakakusayama have reached full bloom. The trail along the northern edge of the grass will take you along more cherry trees up towards the peak of the mountain. As you get higher the cherry blossoms become less advanced. The highest trees haven't reached full bloom yet, but they will probably be at their best in a few day.
Construction work is being done at Wakakusayama as well, and the base of the hill is being relandscaped for Nara's 1300th anniversary celebrations.
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