O.Kay's Diary: Cherry Trees in Himeji Castle on Apr. 3, 2014

Apr 3, 2014

Cherry Trees in Himeji Castle on Apr. 3, 2014

This is the continuation of my previous entry. Please click here at first and read it.

I rode on a local bus this afternoon. It took about 15 minutes to get to Himeji Station. Then, I walked about 10 minutes to get to Himeji Castle.

At the end of March, I heard that April 3 is the day that the cheery trees around Himeji castle would be in full bloom this year. I worked in the morning and took the afternoon off to visit the park in front of the castle.

Picture No. 1

The cover of the castle was removed, but the construction continues to this day.

There were many visitors including foreign tourists walking around.

When I reached the front of the castle, one of them suddenly approached me.

She said, "Please take a photo of us." She was with another girl and looked

as if they were in their 20s. She spoke fluent Japanese, and explained to me

how to use her smartphone to take a picture.

She said they were from Germany.

Picture No. 2

The stone board says Himeji Castle

Picture No. 3

As I live in Himeji, the castle is more accessible to me.

However, the construction work lengthens the time of travel and hinders tourists.

I was hoping that they would finish everything by March to prepare for cherry blossom season.

But as it is, they will still be working on the castle long after the cherry blossoms have faded.

Picture No. 4

Picture No. 5

The pinkish white cherry blossoms were in full bloom and looked beautiful.

Picture No. 6

There were many visitors who enjoyed their lunch under the cherry trees.

The red lanterns will be lighted after dark.
Many local visitors enjoy beer and snacks with their colleagues and friends under the cheery trees.