In 2021, I went to the Matsumae Cherry Blossom Festival. In this article, I would like to introduce the temple from Matsumae Castle to the Matsumae Clan Residence.
Click here to see Matsumae Castle in bloom with cherry blossoms.
(Matsumae Shrine)
Matsumae Shrine is located in the square of Matsumae Park.
There is also a marriage tree (not cherry blossoms) in the precincts of the shrine.
(Ryuunin Temple)
It is a Soto sect temple, and is the only temple in the area that survived the Boshin War. The main hall is designated as an important cultural property.
Ryuunin is home to the "Ezo-Kasumizakura" cherry tree, said to be one of the three most famous cherry trees in Matsumae.
Because it is a kasumizakura, it blooms later than someiyoshino cherry trees and nanden, which are common in Matsumae Park (it was just about full bloom).
(Kouzenji Temple)
It is a Jodo sect temple, but there is a lot of history in the two gates of the temple.
There are many cherry blossoms inside Kouzenji Temple. The gate is also nice, so depending on how you crop it, you may be able to take some Instagram-worthy photos.
Here, too, there is the "Blood Vein Cherry Tree," one of the three major cherry trees in Matsumae.
The blood vein cherry is the original tree of "Naden," a representative tree of Matsumae. It was brought back from Yoshino in the mid-Edo period (1603-1868) and grew up to be cut down for the reconstruction of the temple, but it escaped being cut down because of a legend related to "blood vein," hence its name, "blood vein cherry.
The cherry blossoms bloom early, so even though it was the end of April, about half of the blossoms were in leaf.
(Hodan-ji Temple)
This temple is of the Soto sect of Buddhism, and this is the family temple of the Matsumae family.
There are few cherry trees, but the moss was growing beautifully and the greenery was beautiful. It was quiet, but you could feel the power of nature.
(Road to the Matsumae Clan Residence)
This is the pathway between Hogenji Temple and Hodananji Temple.
The cherry blossoms are a bit leafy at this time of the year, but it looks like it will become a cherry blossom pathway when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom.
In the next installment of the Matsumae Sakura Festival, we would like to introduce the cherry blossom tunnel and the cherry blossom viewing area from the Matsumae Clan Residence.
