Because of the warmer climate, the cherry blossoms bloom earlier here in Okinawa than they do in many other places. The cherry blossom, or sakura, is very important to the Japanese... they use the blooms for foods, teas, and there is even a picture of some on their 100 yen coin. Every February, there are festivals all over the island to celebrate the cherry blossoms. I went with Jenni, Kristen, and some girls from my church youth group to a festival in the northern part of the island at the Nakijin castle ruin site. We got to see the beautiful cherry blossoms as well as the castle ruins.
traditional Okinawan music at the festival
McKenzie and Jenni
It was a little chilly and damp... so I bought a fun cherry blossom umbrella there.
cherry blossoms and the Nakijin castle ruins
the Grayson girls, left to right - Marsala, Marina, Maddison, McKenzie
so beautiful
the pathway and stairs were lined with cherry trees
one of my favorite pictures from the day
so beautiful and delicate
once we hiked up the steps, we could see the ocean, it was a gorgeous view
the cherry blossom accented countryside
shrine at the castle site
Jenni
she's a funny one :)
yay for friends!
very large tree with cherry blossoms
sisters
the road was also lined with cherry blossoms... it was beautiful!
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