Expected in full bloom on 10th May! Yae cherry blossoms related to Emperor Showa

Do you know the late blooming cherry ‘Yaezakura’ that will be in full bloom in mid-May? Yae means eight petals or eight layers, and some Yaezakura has over 100 petals. You know that spring has come when you see their dark pink petals. Among them, Yaezakura in the forest park “Showa no Mori Park” in Fukushima prefecture are a little special because it’s said that they were planted by Emperor Showa. Why not witness historical cherry blossoms at this time when the new era named Reiwa started?

“Showa no Mori Park” with a magnificent view of nature

“Showa no Mori Park” is halfway up Mt. Bandai which is one of 100 famous mountains in Japan. There are lots of trees such as red pine and broad-leaved forests, and Yaezakura, Yoshino cherry and Yamazakura color this park in spring. The scenery is truly insagrammable. In addition, an observatory overlooking Lake Inawahiro which is so clear that it’s called Heavenly Mirror Lake is set. The magnificent view will give you goosebumps.Moreover, there are ‘Showa no Michi’ where you can look back on the history of the Showa 50 years and ‘Miraiheno Hiroba’ where a time capsule with a message to the 21st century is buried, a rock garden ‘Rockery’ made with volcanic rocks.

“Yaezakura” which served as an opportunity for making Showa no Mori Park

Showa no Mori Park was a planting site for ’21st National Tree-planting Festival’ held on May 19, 1970, inviting Emperor Showa and Empress Kojun. At that time, Yaesakura was planted together with Yoshino cherry tree, and it is said that Emperor Showa planted it by himself. Therefore, it was a place called “Tenkyodai” at the past, but it was maintained as a forest park in commemoration of the Emperor’s 50th anniversary, and the name was changed to “Showa no Mori”. By the way, the expected full bloom date of Yaezakura is 10th May, one week later. Please see cherry blossoms related to Emperor Showa.