Carp streamers

There were many carp streamers over Iu River.

Azaleas along shiomi Nawate

I found azaleas in full-bloom in the walled garden along Shiomi Nawate. Orange-red flowers were shining against the sun. Many people stopped by to take pictures.

Opening to the public once every 60 years

We are now allowed to enter the main shrine of Izumo Taisha. The god is in "Okari-den" temporarily because the main shrine needs repair. It is strictly prohibited to take pictures of the inside of the main shrine.

"Doudan" azaleas

Yushi-en is a Japanese garden which is famous for many kinds of peonies. I went there to see peonies, but I also could enjoy azaleas. Flowers above photo is one of the azaleas, called "doudan".

Gyo-i-kou

I drove to Mitoya town to see green-colored cherry blossoms, "Gyo-i-kou". Their color were too quiet to catch the public eyes. But I like this cherry blossoms very much.

Old camellia in Yaegaki Shrine

There are many camellias in Yaegaki Shrine. Many "Omikuji" (fortune slip) were tied up to a camellia near the main shrine. In front of the Torii gate, the old big camellia, Renri-Tamatsubaki, is standing. It is said to be planted by the Goddess long, long time ago.

Cherry blossoms along the Tamayu River

The weather was not so good today. But little children was playing under a cherry tree.

Cherry blossoms along the Hii River

The row of cherry blossoms along the Hii River (at Kisuki town in Un-nan City) is one of the "100 best cherry blossoms in Japan".

Matsue Castle in spring

Matsue Castle is famous for not only cherry blossoms but also camellias. There are many kinds of camellias in "Tsubaki-dani" (literally, camellia valley) area. A staff picked up some kinds of camellias in Tsubaki-dani to arrange at the entrance of the castle keep.

Cherry Road

"Cherry Road"(at Shimane town in Matsue city) is a prefectural road along the Japan Sea coast. We can enjoy cherry blossoms against the Japan Sea.

Weeping cherry tree in Senjuin Temple

The weeping cherry tree in Senjuin Temple is in full blossom. It is more than 200 years old.

Hina dolls

"Hinamatsuri", Girls' Festival, is March 3rd. But in some area, it is held under the old calendar. Yasugi is one of the area where people celebrate "Hinamatsuri" in April. Various kinds of old and new "Hina" dolls are displayed in about 100 private houses and shops along the street. "Hina" dolls of this picture are about 70 years old.

Old camellia in Mangan-ji Temple

There are many kinds of camellia in Mangan-ji Temple. This camellia, "Mangan-ji Tama-tsubaki", is about 450 years old. It is said that this camellia was planted by Motonari Mouri, one of the warlord in the Warring States period.