So pretty!

They've been there since Autumn to ensure the best view of the cherry blossoms

A Classic spring-view of Hamamatsu Castle

It's blooming lovely!

Much to our longly anticipated delight Spring is upon us and the Sakura (cherry blossoms) are just as beautiful we imagined. For Japanese people it's a worthy reason to celebrate, so groups gather in scenic spots with plenty of cherry trees to view the Sakura and indulge in a few glasses of sake and maybe even a bit of karaoke. For some, particularly a party of office workers, this is a highly organised affair and viewing spots are "nabbed" well in advance! We discovered just how seriously the event is taken when we strolled to Hamamatsu Castle park after lunch to take some photos of the cherry blossoms. Tents, plastic sheeting, food, crates of beer, barbeques were being set up in preparation for a long evening of sakura viewing and drinking.
S