Spring this year arrived much faster than it did last year and as such we were treated to pretty much perfect conditions for Hanami....

The blossoms were out together this year, creating a much more interesting display. I hadn't realised just how many different types of blossom there are....

The main street in Itsukaichi is named Coin-dori because it is home to the Hiroshima Mint (where I am told they make all the 1 yen coins for Hiroshima Prefecture/all of Japan?? I forget which) for some reason they have planted a veritable oasis of cherry blossom trees of all different kinds and colours...of course because this is in the grounds of the Mint (incidentally surrounded by a concrete moat) you cant just wander in there and admire the blossoms...oh no....there is highly regulated 3-day period when the blossoms are deemed to be at their best and co-inciding with a weekend that you can walk through the maze of concrete paths and built up cherry tree beds to piped tinny sounding faux-traditional music...

Despite all this I actually quite enjoyed the modern-Japan experience. It reminded me of the very strange culture this country really has. That it is able to mix its traditional respect and admiration for nature in so seemlessly with this regimented, musically enhanced sideshow...the only thing missing was having to buy a ticket to enter!!