The "cherry blossom front" is finally crossing Kitakami on its northward journey. In the warmest parts of town, the cherry trees are in or near full bloom, while they're just starting to bloom in cooler areas near the rivers or in the mountains. Here are the cherry trees at the tiny Buddhist temple near our house.
The cherry trees have already started blooming in the southern parts of Honshu. Here in Kitakami, the cherry blossoms are still a few weeks off, but their advance team has arrived. Plum blossoms started appearing last week, despite three days of snow.
Masses of variously colored cosmos flowers are very common around Kitakami in the fall.
The white lily is Kitakami's city flower.
These ones are growing in a neighbor's yard. They also grow wild along the mountain roads in the area.
These ones are growing in a neighbor's yard. They also grow wild along the mountain roads in the area.
Beautiful wildflowers and pink azaleas alongside the Hitokabe River in Oshu City.
In Japan, the sakura are not just spectacular to look at — they also herald the coming spring. While the cherry blossoms distract everyone, the rest of the plant kingdom quietly push out their buds and flowers.
These photos are from the end of April.
These photos are from the end of April.
Next
Calendar
