Standing atop Matsuda-yama, it felt like I was in a dream.
I was on a hillside covered in thousands upon thousands of pink petals, looking down over the urban area below. The late afternoon sun was shining intensely and everyone around seemed so happy to be there experiencing this fleeting moment.
The sakura had just reached full bloom, and within a couple of weeks, they would have all sadly vanished. Soon, new green leaves would be covering the trees, hiding any evidence of the flowers’ existence. The short life of the sakura is bittersweet.
When the weather is good, Nishihara Park in Matsuda, Kanagawa, is one of the best places to see kawazu-zakura combined with the magnificent, snow-capped Mt Fuji. To the south-east, you also get a glimpse of the ocean on the horizon! The park has over 350 sakura trees which bloom around mid-February. It’s a beautiful location and a nice little trip out of Tokyo.
Celia in Tokyo 
So beautiful! :)
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Thanks, Sam!
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Beautiful, subtle colors.
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Thanks, Tom. It was a very pretty spot.
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Beautiful, and one of the rare days when Fuji is visible…what a treat. Thanks for sharing the view!
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Exactly! You’ve no idea how many times I’ve been to a Fuji viewing spot and she’s been nowhere in sight! Very lucky this time.
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Lovely captures – would love to see the dogwoods bloom there one day. Esp liked your stairway shot.
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Thanks so much, Tina. I wish I could share what it felt like being there… maybe one day in the future that’ll be possible!
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so good to see these, I live near Washington DC and we had such a warm February… and then sudden bitter cold took them away.
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I was wondering whether the cherry blossoms over there had bloomed yet or not. Usually there’s lots of media coverage. But, that’s so sad to hear. They are so sensitive to the weather, unfortunately.
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Fantastic pictures. These are quite remarkable.
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Thanks, Anthony. With this place and Kawazu town, I feel like I’ve already had a great sakura season!
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Based on the pictures, I am sure you had. I hope it continues for you.
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Stunning photos Celia. Thanks for sharing.
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Glad you liked them! Thanks, Michael.
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Hi Celia,
Looks devine with the sakura framing views of the Tokyo metropolis. However, I’m not sure everyone would agree with your title for those stairs :).
John
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Come to think of it, I can’t recall anywhere else where you can get a city view framed with sakura. Will have to look into it!
Haha, highly likely. To each his own :)
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You captured it all so beautifully Celia. Absolutely love the photo of Mt. Fuji at dusk. <3
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Thanks, Nano. As did you in your post! I have a feeling they created a garden here because of that view of Fujisan!
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I think so too!
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So beautiful! Great photos. I really need to head over there during sakura season, looks amazing.
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Thank you, Peter!
Sakura in full bloom is something everyone needs to experience at least once in their life!! Totally different seeing it in person.
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Absolutely gorgeous!
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Thanks so much! :)
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Great pictures! Thank you! I feel nostagic now but in a good way!
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Thanks so much! And now the main variety of sakura have just started blooming. Love this time of year!
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I’m obsessed with these lovely flowers! You captured them so beautifully!
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Thank you so much, Stella. Aren’t they lovely! I just wish they lasted longer than a couple of weeks!!
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