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Kakunodate, known for its preserved samurai houses and cherry blossoms. During Golden Week it's packed, as you can see.
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Unique 'weeping' cherry trees sent from Kyoto when a princess, forced to reside in Kakunodate, crying, felt homesick.
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Gate leading to an old samurai dwelling.
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Inside the samurai home.
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Reflecting on the sights.
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Looking backwards... in a way.
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A traditional dance.
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2007-04-29
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Drinking matcha within the sanctuary of an old tea garden. Kathy, myself and the student who drove us to Kakunodate.
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Lost amongst the blossoms.
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Pretty.
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Also pretty.
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Random sculpture.
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Quaint streetlight.
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Someone's little window garden.
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Overwhelmed by blossoms.
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Kakunodate's famous view - rows of cherry trees lining the riverside.
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2007-04-29
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We weren't the only ones thinking a riverside picnic was a good idea.
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Picnicking in style. (No shoes on the mat.)
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Surprise surprise. Guess who didn't think to wear sunscreen. My first sunburn in Japan!
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2007-04-29
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These are everywhere.
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Lake Tazawa, the deepest in Japan. The color isn't natural. Alkylating agents were added to reduce the natural acidity.
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Oh where oh where has my dear snow gone? Barren snowboarding slopes are a sad sight indeed.
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This princess wanted to remain beautiful forever, so a god transformed her into a dragon. Now she resides in the lake.
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For some reason, this scene reminds me of Lake Taupo in New Zealand.
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2007-04-29
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Moving ahead two days, this is Hirosaki in Aomori prefecture, about 3 hours out of Akita by train.
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A gate leading to the castle grounds.
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Hirosaki Castle.
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This guy was rocking out. Not really, but it looks like it here.
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A grey day, but that didn't dampen the brightness.
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ONE man asked to take our picture. Suddenly we were surrounded by a swarm of clicking cameras. Got one for us as well.
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This was the one day I laxed my anti-pink rule.
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At least there's no fluffy kitty in the shot.
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No, my skin isn't reflecting the rosy hue. I was still sunburned from the previous day's picnic.
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My sis made my bracelet. It says Carpe Diem.
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What a poser.
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The lanterns around the grounds featured various images. Aomori prefecture is well-known for its apples.
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Not sure what this is.
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Ah, good ole cup noodles.
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Streamside trees. Not quite as stunning as at Kakunodate.
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Well, this WOULD have been a beautiful shot, had the weather been more cooperative. I think this is Mt. Iwate. Not sure.
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I love the shape of this tree.
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Reach for the sky.
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Quaint.
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The sun starts to peek out.
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Tranquil reflections.
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A tree off the main path framed this shot nicely. Looking back at the bridge.
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Always a perfect little angel.
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Even angels get hungry.
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Natural highlights.