Japan #3 - Cherry Blossoms

I was on the Cherry Blossom Tour, as it was timed for the blossoms to be in full bloom.  Unfotunately a long winter meant that in some places the blossoms were only just starting to come out, but we still saw some beautiful parks and gardens and tree-lined streets.

I did go nuts with my lovely new camera taking photos of blossoms and it was hard to choose which ones to add here.  I might have gone overboard.

Tokyo... too cool for blossoms but still pretty!

Tokyo... they hold massive picnics/parties under the blossom trees in the park.  It was cold, but there were still trillions of people all having a great time.  Even the cats were enjoying themselves at the party!



Kyoto...  The Philospher's Path.  It was such a pretty area.  This first photo sums up my whole trip - blossoms and vending machines!  They were eveywhere.  As well as cherry blossoms there were lots of magnolia trees and massive camellia bushes in bloom.



 Kyoto - I think this was called Kiyomizu Castle.  It was at the top of a cobble-stone street of shops, and it was sunset.  That made it one of my favourite castles.

Hiroshima... An amazing place to visit.  These photos are from a shrine we visited on an island (note the deer in the waterway!), and of course from around the Peace Memorial.  Really pretty gardens at a really sobering place.