I posted some photos I have taken during a few trips to Kawazu to see the cherry trees there, which are among the first to blossom each year on Japan's main island of Honshu.
I have been living in Izu for 4 years now, and this is the first time I have been able to see these trees in bloom. Every year up to now, I have been traveling during their peak season. Last year, I was determined to go see them, but the one weekend I had in Izu between business trips and work in Tokyo, the weather was truly awful with typhoon-like winds and heavy rain.
So I was really happy this year to be around and to have some good weather that made for good viewing and photography.
Looking upriver with blossoming cherry trees extending for several kilometers on each side.
In the background, the mountains around Amagi, the highest part on the spine of the Izu Peninsula, where I spent many happy hours hiking.
Cherry blossoms.
The trees are illuminated on certain evenings.
Spring is really just around the corner. I have a few weeks of travel outside Japan ahead of me, but by the time I get back, the weather will be getting warmer and it will be my favorite time of year.