Mar 1, 2014 - 1 min read

Kaizu Osaki

Cherry blossom dreaming on the shores of Lake Biwa

By Cathy Cawood

Community writer

Some people enjoyed the cherry blossoms from boats

The blue hills and water make a beautiful background to the blossoms

Branches laden with blossom hang over the water

On a cold, showery Sunday in spring, I took a JR Kosei Line train to the small town of Makino. From there I walked to Kaizu Osaki where four kilometers of cherry trees planted along the northern shores of Lake Biwa were in full bloom. They created a scene of dream-like beauty. The blue water made a perfect backdrop for the delicate pink cherry blossoms, and colorful lanterns hung from the trees. Being a weekend, it was pretty crowded, but on weekdays there would be fewer people. I have also been to Kaizu Osaki in autumn, and in winter when snow lay thick on the ground. It is always beautiful, but spring is the loveliest time of all.