Spring comes early in Okinawa. Beth took advantage of this and visited the Nago Cherry Blossom Festival. Luckily I was on call. Spurred by warmer than normal winter weather, the cherry blossoms were in full bloom in the Nago area. Good timing, too, as this was the weekend for the 43rd Nago Cherry Blossom Festival.
For the Okinawa newcomer, the Cherry Blossom Festival ranks as one of the most beautiful events of the year, with Mother Nature showing her colors with the traditional flowers. Festivities are held at the base of Nago castle, the expansive home to the local Aji chieftain in the 14th century. The area is now Nago Central Park, where thousands of Taiwan cherry trees show their beauty early each year. This year more than 200,000 pink Taiwan cherries are in full bloom.
