"Loneliness Awaiting Spring"
The plum tree, a symbol of winter, stands alone in full bloom while everything around it has withered away. This marks the transition from plum to cherry blossoms. It remains poised, sensing the signs of spring that are just around the corner.

I visited Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.
The cherry blossoms in Jinja Hiroba were in full bloom.

Taken on April 4, 2014.
This is Homarezakura and Shuyu along the Shingashi River, behind Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

Photographed on April 1, 2014.
Behind Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, Honozakura and Funayuu on the Shingashi River.

Photographed on April 1, 2014.
This is Homarezakura along the Shingashi River, behind Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

Photographed on March 25, 2014.
This is Homarezakura by the Shingashi River behind Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

Photographed on April 1, 2014.
Behind Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, Honozakura and boat rides on the Shingashi River.

Photographed on April 1, 2014.
These are Homarezakura cherry trees along the Shingashi River behind Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.
Cherry blossom showers were swirling. 🌸

It is precisely because of the cloudy sky that the delicate pink of the cherry blossoms stands out 🌸
the deep green of the willows 🌳
their reflections on the water seem to weave a story…

Photographed on April 1, 2014.
This is Homare-zakura along the Shingashi River behind Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

Photographed on April 4, 2026.
This is LEC COFFEE’s Sakura × Espresso Latte and a matcha Basque cheesecake topped with sakura.

Mannen-zan Ankokuji Temple is located in Oodaracho, Mito City, Ibaraki Prefecture.
A large weeping cherry tree on the temple grounds was lit up, and its reflection in the water spread across the stone path at the gate, creating a very magical scene. (୨୧❛ᴗ❛)📷🌸

Photographed on April 4, 2026.
This is LEC COFFEE’s matcha Basque cheesecake with cherry blossom topping.
It smells of cherry blossoms. 😊🍵🌸

Photographed on April 4, 2014.
This is LEC COFFEE’s Cherry Blossom × Espresso Latte.
It features espresso, milk, and cherry blossom sauce, topped with cherry blossom chocolate. The latte art shaped like a cherry tree is truly lovely. 😊☕️🌸

Today, after visiting Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, I stopped by LEC COFFEE. I had the hot sandwich set.
The hot sandwich was filled with tamagoyaki, bacon, and lettuce, served with a salad of homemade ham and a Fukaya negi potage.
After some injuries and a bout of the flu, I treated myself to good food and took it easy.

Meguro River
Night cherry blossoms and the Meguro River, lit crimson by lanterns.
The cherry trees in full bloom are still vibrant. In a week, the river will take center stage as petals drift like a floating raft of flowers.

Sumida Park
A row of cherry trees at dusk caught my eye, and I stopped at a particularly dark patch among them.
Looking more closely, countless pigeons perched on a black tree of twisted branches, with no flowers or leaves.
At first glance, it was a little bit like a horror scene.
Beneath my feet, fresh green shoots; above, a canopy of pink cherry blossoms; in the distance, the Skytree gleaming in the sunset—and so many pigeons.
Although the composition should have felt lively, the image took on an eerie quality, producing a strangely contrasting shot.

Shinobazu-ike Bentendo Temple
After the rain, the sky is a striking blue. The cherry trees around Shinobazu Pond are blooming a little later than elsewhere in Tokyo; many blossoms that withstood the wind and rain remain as buds, so they are about 90 percent in bloom.
Though the spring breeze shakes the branches, the petals remain strong and vibrant. It’s a scene of spring in full bloom.

Photographed on April 3, 2014.
These are the weeping cherry trees at Saiunji Temple.

Photographed on April 1, 2014.
After visiting Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, I relaxed at Starbucks Kanetsuki‑dōri Store.
I had an oat milk latte and a strawberry custard tart.

Lured by the warm, sunny weather, I looked down to find bright dandelions in bloom!!
These spring flowers have long been beloved in Japan🌼
Their yellow petals shine like the sun, and just looking at them lifts your spirits.
The fluffy seed heads getting ready to drift on the breeze also bring a uniquely seasonal sense of charm✨️

This is a pinwheel next to the main hall of Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.
It is said to represent the cloud motif that serves as Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine’s crest.

I visited Tokiwa Shrine in Mito ⛩
In the peaceful shrine grounds, cherry blossoms bloom as if covering the sky 🌸
Historic buildings and pale pink hues
Truly a spring scene Japan can be proud of
May this gentle light and color reach someone’s heart across the sea.

This is the pinwheel next to the main hall of Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.
It is said to be inspired by cherry blossoms. 🌸

I attended the monthly ceremony at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine today.
These are the pinwheels in the corridor beside the main hall.
The photos were taken in March.

Photographed on March 24, 2014.
The cherry trees at Rinsinji Temple had begun to bloom.

This is a photo from when I went to Enoshima 📷

Photographed on January 11, 2014.
This is the New Year fire brigade ceremony by the Kawagoe Young Firefighters Association at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

We are giving away rhinoceros beetle larvae!
A rhinoceros beetle larva giveaway event takes place at the Tokkome Cherry Blossom Festival 🌸
Dig up a larva from the soil yourself!
🌟Date: Saturday, April 4
🌟Time: First session starts at 11:45 AM
Second session starts at 1:45 PM
※Ticket stubs will be distributed at headquarters 30 minutes before each session!
🌟Venue: Kaigara-yama Park
🌟Number distributed: 100 larvae per session
🌟Who: Children up to elementary school age
🌟Other: Canceled in case of rain or severe weather

Commerce and Tourism Division
https://www.city.kamagaya.chiba.jp/kanko-bunka-sports/kanko/kabutomushiproject/kabutomushi-event/r8kabutomushi.html

Photographed on January 11, 2014.
This is the New Year’s fire-departure ritual performed by the Kawagoe Young Firefighters Association at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.