Sakura (Cherry Blossoms) and Hanami in Nikko, Japan for 2010

It’s April 1st and the cherry blossoms aren’t here, yet.
Over the last two weeks, it has been quite cold with 2 days of minor snowfall.
This must have kept the buds tight and sealed.

It looks like it will be another week before the buds open. The weekend of the 10th and 11th will certainly be busy around Zen Hostel and in other parts of lower Nikko, like Toshogu Shrine. Zen Hostel is at about 250m above see level and JR Nikko and Tobu Nikko stations are about 400m. Such a slight difference, but this means about 5 days later for cherry blossoms.

Around Oku Nikko (Chuzenji Lake/Yumoto), the buds won’t arrive for at least 3 more weeks.