A road lined with cherry trees in full bloom

Fourteen Days in Japan · Friday, March 28th, 2008

Day 12: Sakura

While our visit to Japan was quickly coming to an end, the weather got a bit warmer, and the cherry trees in Nagoya started blooming. In the morning we visited Koseiji Park, not too far from the place where we were staying.

Cherry blossoms against the eaves of a temple roof

A pagoda above a stairway lined with stone lanterns

Next, we drove to the Shikinomichi (“Path of the Four Seasons”) along Nagoya's Yamazaki River, justifiably designated one of Japan's 100 best cherry blossom spots. The river is lined by more than 600 cherry trees for about two and a half kilometers.

Cyclists on the path along the Yamazaki River under cherry trees

The cherry trees leaning over the Yamazaki River

Then we drove toward the center of the city to visit Tsuruma Park, probably Nagoya's most popular city park for cherry blossom viewing. The public park in central Nagoya offers many food stands and space for hanami (cherry blossom viewing) parties under the trees.

Food stalls under the cherry trees in Tsuruma Park

A cherry branch with a few open blossoms

The photographer framing a cherry blossom

People picnicking under the cherry trees

The photographer looking up at the blossoms with his Hasselblad

Cherry blossoms in front of a brick building

The photographer crouching under a blossoming branch

A bamboo fence and garden below the cherry trees

Later, we had an appointment for an early dinner with the rest of the family at a characteristic yakitori place in Osu, a historic area in Naka Ward with many small shops offering everything from traditional Japanese food to handicrafts.

Chicken skewers on a blue-and-white plate

A bottle of Coca-Cola and a tin of shichimi spice

The yakitori master grilling under the lights

Skewers on the grill at the yakitori stand

After the amazing experience of eating yakitori in such an authentic joint, we all drove back together to the Yamazaki River to enjoy the view of the sakura at night, lit by lights installed for the occasion. It was a stunning view, which I had some difficulty capturing with my old Canon 5D, especially since it was very windy that night.

The Yamazaki River at night under illuminated cherry trees

Illuminated cherry blossoms against the night sky

After the beautiful walk under the trees, we needed something warm, so we all went to have a nice hot bowl of ramen at a local favorite joint.

We were in Nagoya for one more day before our departure on Sunday to go back to New York. We spent most of the last few hours in town doing some last-minute shopping, packing our luggage and chatting with Yasuko's family at their place, so these are the last pictures I have to show from this extraordinary trip.

This was a memorable trip, and all I can say at the end of this long story is that I would like to thank Masao and Masako, as well as Jutaro and Rie, for having welcomed me into their family and for having given me the opportunity to live this amazing experience with them!