Susanoo Shrine and Kawazu-Zakura Festival

Last week I went to Susanoo Shrine’s Hina display in Izu-Inatori and the Kawazu-Zakura Festival. 

I visited this shrine in 2018 to see the Hina display, and even met the Hina Princess. This year, there was no princess, but the display was still beautiful. There are 118 levels and 380 dolls.

Looking down from the top.

Next, I went to Kawazu. The Kawazu-zakura is the earliest cherry tree to bloom. Every year in early February, the town holds a festival along the 4 km river with over 850 trees.

This photo from Asahi Shinbun 

           

The trees are on both sides of the river. There were a lot of people (and dogs) taking pictures of themselves under the trees. There are also many food and drink stands.

The cherry blossom festival runs through March 8th.

Suijinja in Springtime

Don’t you love seeing cherry blossoms at the shrines? I saw this when I was out for a walk.

In The Neighborhood

 I love where I live.

Sakura no Sato Park and Omuroyama

Friday, I went to the Sakura no Sato Park at the foot of Omuro. There are 1000 cherry trees of 40 different varieties that bloom at different times. It had rained all morning, but was clearing and only a bit windy by the time I got there.

After walking around the park and taking pictures, we went to Omuroyama and rode the chair lift to the top. You are not allowed to walk up, so the chair lift is the only way to get up or down. I’ve been here several times, but the chair lift wasn’t running those times because of wind or weather, so it was good the morning rain stopped and the wind calmed.

The line to buy tickets was long, but it kept moving.

This the chair lift at the top.

In the middle of the crater is an archery range.

There is a path to walk around the rim.

It was breezy at times and the clouds were blowing across the top.

The views from the top are gorgeous.

This is looking back to the chair lift and rest area.

There are two shrine areas along the rim.

After making the full circle, we decided to have a snack before taking the lift down again.

My choice was dango - a chewy ball made of rice, and mine has a soy sauce glaze.

After eating this treat, it was time to go down the chair lift and to the train station to go home.