Hanami next to one of the top 100 spots

The weather in the Kanto region cooperated with お花見, ohanami season, in the last two days, but it looks like tomorrow will be rainy. Falling blossoms and drizzle are forecast for Sunday, April 6th. Ah, well. It looks like today was the best chance to see the blossoms in fair weather.

Right down the road from me is one of Japan’s top 100 hanami spots, Shimizu Park. It never disappoints! Even in overcast conditions, the park puts on a spectacular show of blossoms. 

Today, the park was crowded and road traffic was heavy. But I managed to catch this view of the sloping road on the north side of the park.

The road that separates the two parks

The park is a jewel box of colours in many seasons with plums in early spring, cherry blossoms in March and April, azaleas in April and May, and glorious coloured leaves in November and December. Visitors flock to the park and it can get crowded. But it has a neighbouring secret hanami location. Across the road on the north side of Shimizu Park is…another park! Noda Municipal Park also has beautiful landscapes, lawns, and seasonal colour.

Sakura with yukiyanagi at their feet

Today, there were just a few families under the cherry trees at the municipal park. After you’ve enjoyed the atmospheric Shimizu Park, cross the road and amble along the paths.

Still more blooms to come above forsythia plantings

Fellow Kanto residents, do you recommend an undiscovered, uncrowded hanami spot?