April 23 through May 7, 2000. Cherry blossom Festival Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture. Nationwide-popular cherry blossoms in the Hirosaki castle finally have come out a week later than usual. There are 5,000 cherry trees- Yoshino cherry trees, weeping cherry trees and double flowering cherry trees. Flowers came into your view wherever you walk in the park. Since it was cloudy almost every day, even rained some despite being the flower season, photography was not very successful. I regret that I couldn't show you the dynamic scene of overwhelming cherry blossoms in contrast with the blue sky.

	The donjon of the Hirosaki Castle viewing from the Shimojo Bridge I felt the castle with the snow was beautiful in winter, and it is more than beautiful with cherry blossoms then. The scenery is the way the castle is. May 5.		By the side of the moat, in the west of the park Numbers of moats surround the castle. Here is the side of the west moat, which is called "the tunnel of cherry blossoms". The scenery is beautiful even getting off the point of view. May 5.
	The west moat The Shunyo Bridge of the moat is the special feature of the park. However, I had to give up taking pictures at the best point, the opposite side, as it was only sunny day during the Golden Week and so there were too many people enjoying boating there. I bet you will cry then sigh for joy when you see the reflection of sky and flowers in the water. April 30.		The west moat The Shunyo Bridge of the moat is the special feature of the park. However, I had to give up taking pictures at the best point, the opposite side, as it was only sunny day during the Golden Week and so there were too many people enjoying boating there. I bet you will cry then sigh for joy when you see the reflection of sky and flowers in the water. April 30.
	It was the first time for me to see cherry blossoms at night. I just had expected lighted flowers in the donjon. Second thought! Flowers at the west moat made me sigh. May 2.		Flowers of weeping cherry trees and Yoshino cherry trees at the main enclosure of the castle The inner citadel is surrounded with weeping cherry trees. Their color is deeper than Yoshino cherry trees', and both show individual brilliance. As a lot of people enjoying flowers sitting on the blue vinyl sheet, it was difficult to take pictures zooming out avoiding the obstacles. May 2.