Chiba Prefecture Charms - Shimizu Park's azalea grove

The 桜吹雪 sakura fubuki, cherry blossom snow, blew pink petals onto my veranda last week. In northern Chiba Prefecture, green leaves have succeeded pink blossoms. Shimizu Park, one of Japan's 100 cherry blossom spots, didn't disappoint this year.

If you missed the snowy flurry, there is another colourful display just starting at the park. The park celebrates its ツツジ tsutsuji, azaleas, from April 18th to May 6th.

The park's azalea grove has about 100 varieties, including a Kirishima azalea that is three centuries old. The view from the observation deck in the middle of the grove is a riot of colours.

Are azaleas blooming where you are? What azalea spots do you recommend?