Nighttime cherry blossom viewing at the Nagahama castle

  Every year, Japanese people look forward to viewing cherry blossom. We often go to parks and along rivers, where there are cherry blossom trees, to enjoy the view.

 I have heard that the cherry blossoms are in full bloom today in Nagahama Castle Park, located in Nagahama City, Shiga Pref., Japan. But the weather is supposed to get worse from tomorrow onwards, so I went to view the cherry blossoms in the afternoon. But it occurred to me that the night view would be more beautiful, because the cherry trees and the castle were lit up. So, I went there again after dark. 

  This park is located in a large property of the Nagahama castle, which was originally constructed by the samurai lord Toyotomi (Hashiba) Hideyoshi in 1573. But this castle was abolished several decades later since then, and most of the construction material were said to be diverted to build the Hikone Castle, located about 16 km south of here.

  In 1983, the castle was reconstructed, and its inside is open to the public as a historical museum. I think the first built castle will play an important role in a TV drama series, that is to say the NHK Taiga historical drama to be broadcast in 2026, entitled "Toyotomi Brothers".

 

The castle is lit up at night and red lanterns are hung between the cherry trees at the back, creating mystical ambience.  

They are quietly sitting on a ground sheet, enjoying the cherry blossom.　

The cherry blossoms photographed at night seem to be floated in the darkness.

Photos were taken on April 9th, 2025.