【２０１３年４月１７日】 夏井千本桜 は今週末から見頃（ April 17,2013: Natsui thousand cherry trees will be best to see from this weekend ）
本日は、夏井千本桜 に再度寄った後、いわき市 の いわき湯本温泉 へ向かう。
Today, I stopped at Natsui thousand cherry trees again, and then went towards Iwaki-Yumoto Onsen.
経路は、下の地図を参照。（経路と標高は、ＧＰＳログデータによる。地図は、クリックで拡大できます。）
The actual route is shown in the map below. (The route and altitude data are from GPS log data. The details of the map can be seen by clicking the map.)
今朝の 夏井千本桜 は、上の写真の通り、見頃まではまだまだの状態。今週末から来週前半が見頃と予想。
The Natsui thousand cherry trees this morning looked as shown in the picture above thus far behind the best to see. This weekend as well as first half of the next week will be the best period.
２００７年に完成した、写真の 夏井千本桜展望台 に登った。そこからの景色は、写真の通りであるが、桜が満開になれば、壮観と思います。
I climbed to the "viewing terminal for the Natsui thousand cherry trees" shown in the picture above which had been built in the year 2007. The view from there today was as shown in the picture, and this will be a spectacle when all the cherry trees became in full bloom.
この 夏井千本桜 と同じところに、写真の、国の天然記念物の「 諏訪神社の翁スギ媼スギ 」がある。
In the same Natsui area there were two giant cedar trees called " Grandpa and Grandma Cedar trees of Suwa Shrine". These had been designated as National Natural Monument.
夏井からいわき市へは、夏井川渓谷、および 磐越東線 に沿った県道４１号を走る。緩やかな下り坂が延々続き、車も少なく、何度走っても快適。何人ものロードバイクに出会った。 夏井川渓谷 は、山桜 が写真のように咲いていました。
From Natsui to Iwaki City I pedaled on the Pref. Route 41 which went along the Valley of Natsui River and also along the JR Ban-etsu East Line. This route was a long and moderate downhill with less traffic thus I felt comfortable every time. I also met with several road bike cyclists. Many wild cherry blossoms could be seen along the Natsui River Valley as shown in the picture.
いわき湯本温泉 に、昼過ぎに着き、レストラン「 ヤスヒロ 」で 黒カレー の昼食。ご主人こだわりの カレー で、辛くて大変おいしい。
I arrived at Iwaki-Yumoto Onsen area in the early afternoon and I took lunch of black curry at restaurant "Yasuhiro". This black curry was the master's specialty which was very hot and delicious.
本日の宿は、写真の いわき湯本温泉 の いわきゆったり館 。いわき市の 公共の宿 である。加水・加温・循環無しの、源泉掛け流しの新鮮な湯に入れます。
Today I stayed at Iwaki Yuttarikan Inn of Iwaki-Yumoto Onsen. This was a public inn of Iwaki City. I could enjoy a fresh hot spring bath with no cooling water, no heating, and no hot water circulation.
Today, I stopped at Natsui thousand cherry trees again, and then went towards Iwaki-Yumoto Onsen.
経路は、下の地図を参照。（経路と標高は、ＧＰＳログデータによる。地図は、クリックで拡大できます。）
The actual route is shown in the map below. (The route and altitude data are from GPS log data. The details of the map can be seen by clicking the map.)
今朝の 夏井千本桜 は、上の写真の通り、見頃まではまだまだの状態。今週末から来週前半が見頃と予想。
The Natsui thousand cherry trees this morning looked as shown in the picture above thus far behind the best to see. This weekend as well as first half of the next week will be the best period.
２００７年に完成した、写真の 夏井千本桜展望台 に登った。そこからの景色は、写真の通りであるが、桜が満開になれば、壮観と思います。
I climbed to the "viewing terminal for the Natsui thousand cherry trees" shown in the picture above which had been built in the year 2007. The view from there today was as shown in the picture, and this will be a spectacle when all the cherry trees became in full bloom.
この 夏井千本桜 と同じところに、写真の、国の天然記念物の「 諏訪神社の翁スギ媼スギ 」がある。
In the same Natsui area there were two giant cedar trees called " Grandpa and Grandma Cedar trees of Suwa Shrine". These had been designated as National Natural Monument.
夏井からいわき市へは、夏井川渓谷、および 磐越東線 に沿った県道４１号を走る。緩やかな下り坂が延々続き、車も少なく、何度走っても快適。何人ものロードバイクに出会った。 夏井川渓谷 は、山桜 が写真のように咲いていました。
From Natsui to Iwaki City I pedaled on the Pref. Route 41 which went along the Valley of Natsui River and also along the JR Ban-etsu East Line. This route was a long and moderate downhill with less traffic thus I felt comfortable every time. I also met with several road bike cyclists. Many wild cherry blossoms could be seen along the Natsui River Valley as shown in the picture.
いわき湯本温泉 に、昼過ぎに着き、レストラン「 ヤスヒロ 」で 黒カレー の昼食。ご主人こだわりの カレー で、辛くて大変おいしい。
I arrived at Iwaki-Yumoto Onsen area in the early afternoon and I took lunch of black curry at restaurant "Yasuhiro". This black curry was the master's specialty which was very hot and delicious.
本日の宿は、写真の いわき湯本温泉 の いわきゆったり館 。いわき市の 公共の宿 である。加水・加温・循環無しの、源泉掛け流しの新鮮な湯に入れます。
Today I stayed at Iwaki Yuttarikan Inn of Iwaki-Yumoto Onsen. This was a public inn of Iwaki City. I could enjoy a fresh hot spring bath with no cooling water, no heating, and no hot water circulation.
【２０１３年４月１６日】 郡山市 の 紅枝垂地蔵ザクラ 、など見頃はこれから （ April 16,2013: Jizozakura at Koriyama City, etc will be the best time to see soon ）
本日は、三春町 を出発し、途中の各地の桜を見て、小野町 に入る。
Today, after I left Miharu Town, I stopped at several cherry trees on the way and finally arrived at Ono Town.
経路は、下の地図を参照。（経路と標高は、ＧＰＳログデータによる。地図は、クリックで拡大できます。）
The actual route is shown in the map below. (The route and altitude data are from GPS log data. The details of the map can be seen by clicking the map.)
三春町 、及びその周辺の郡山市 、田村市 では、いたるところに立派な 紅枝垂桜 （ベニシダレザクラ）を見かける。これらは、特に名前のついていないものも多い。上の写真も、その一例です。
I could find abundant of excellent pink weeping cherry trees anywhere around Miharu Town, Koriyama City, and Tamura City. Many of them were nameless. An example was shown in the picture above.
郡山市 の 紅枝垂地蔵ザクラ を訪問（上の写真）。地元の番付表では、三春滝桜 が東の横綱とすれば、こちらは西の横綱と言われている。三春滝桜 の子孫と言われ、樹齢３８０年。咲き始めであり、見頃はこれからです。
First, I visited Jizouzakura which was a giant ping weeping cherry tree at Koriyama City. A local list of cherry tree rankings said that Miharu Takizakura occupied an east Yokozuna whereas this Jizozakura occupied west Yokozuna. The Jizozakura was 380 years old and was said to be an ancestor of Miharu Takizakura. This tree had just started to bloom and will be the best time to see soon.
次に、田村市 の 永泉寺 のサクラを訪問（上の写真）。これも、三春滝桜 と同じ、エドヒガンザクラ の 紅枝垂 であり、何本かある。一番大きいのは、まだほとんどつぼみであり、見頃はこれからです。
Next, I visited weeping cherry trees at Eisenji Temple at Tamura City as shown in the pictures above. All these trees were also Edohigan pink weeping trees the same as Miharu Takizakura. The largest one was still in buds and will take some time to be the best time to see.
小野町 に入り、赤沼 地区の無量寺 しだれ桜 を訪問（上の写真）。これも、咲き始めたばかりで、見頃はこれからです。
Arriving at Ono Town, I visited weeping cherry tree at Muryoji Temple in Akanuma district as shown in the pictures above. This tree also had just started to bloom and will be the best time soon.
小野町 でもともと期待したのは、夏井千本桜 である。これは、地元住民が１９７５年に、夏井川 の両岸５ｋｍにわたり、千本の桜を植えたものである。今日時点は、上の写真のように、まだほとんどつぼみでした。見頃は、今週末以降と思われます。
What I had expected to see at Ono Town was the "Natsui thousand cherry trees". The local people of Natsui planted a thousand cherry trees in the year 1975 along both sides of the Natsui River which extended to 5km long. When I visited today, most of the cherry trees were yet to bloom but will be very soon as shown in the picture above. The best time will be around this weekend or later.
本日の宿は、小野町から少し戻ったところにある、田村市 の 針湯荘 （上の写真）。田村市 の 公共の宿 で、安全に泊まれ安い。地元の日帰り客も多い。
Today I stayed at Hariyuso Inn located at Tamura City somewhat behind Ono Town. This was a public inn of Tamura City which provided secure stays with reasonable price. Many daytime visitors also enjoyed the bath.
Today, after I left Miharu Town, I stopped at several cherry trees on the way and finally arrived at Ono Town.
経路は、下の地図を参照。（経路と標高は、ＧＰＳログデータによる。地図は、クリックで拡大できます。）
The actual route is shown in the map below. (The route and altitude data are from GPS log data. The details of the map can be seen by clicking the map.)
三春町 、及びその周辺の郡山市 、田村市 では、いたるところに立派な 紅枝垂桜 （ベニシダレザクラ）を見かける。これらは、特に名前のついていないものも多い。上の写真も、その一例です。
I could find abundant of excellent pink weeping cherry trees anywhere around Miharu Town, Koriyama City, and Tamura City. Many of them were nameless. An example was shown in the picture above.
郡山市 の 紅枝垂地蔵ザクラ を訪問（上の写真）。地元の番付表では、三春滝桜 が東の横綱とすれば、こちらは西の横綱と言われている。三春滝桜 の子孫と言われ、樹齢３８０年。咲き始めであり、見頃はこれからです。
First, I visited Jizouzakura which was a giant ping weeping cherry tree at Koriyama City. A local list of cherry tree rankings said that Miharu Takizakura occupied an east Yokozuna whereas this Jizozakura occupied west Yokozuna. The Jizozakura was 380 years old and was said to be an ancestor of Miharu Takizakura. This tree had just started to bloom and will be the best time to see soon.
次に、田村市 の 永泉寺 のサクラを訪問（上の写真）。これも、三春滝桜 と同じ、エドヒガンザクラ の 紅枝垂 であり、何本かある。一番大きいのは、まだほとんどつぼみであり、見頃はこれからです。
Next, I visited weeping cherry trees at Eisenji Temple at Tamura City as shown in the pictures above. All these trees were also Edohigan pink weeping trees the same as Miharu Takizakura. The largest one was still in buds and will take some time to be the best time to see.
小野町 に入り、赤沼 地区の無量寺 しだれ桜 を訪問（上の写真）。これも、咲き始めたばかりで、見頃はこれからです。
Arriving at Ono Town, I visited weeping cherry tree at Muryoji Temple in Akanuma district as shown in the pictures above. This tree also had just started to bloom and will be the best time soon.
小野町 でもともと期待したのは、夏井千本桜 である。これは、地元住民が１９７５年に、夏井川 の両岸５ｋｍにわたり、千本の桜を植えたものである。今日時点は、上の写真のように、まだほとんどつぼみでした。見頃は、今週末以降と思われます。
What I had expected to see at Ono Town was the "Natsui thousand cherry trees". The local people of Natsui planted a thousand cherry trees in the year 1975 along both sides of the Natsui River which extended to 5km long. When I visited today, most of the cherry trees were yet to bloom but will be very soon as shown in the picture above. The best time will be around this weekend or later.
本日の宿は、小野町から少し戻ったところにある、田村市 の 針湯荘 （上の写真）。田村市 の 公共の宿 で、安全に泊まれ安い。地元の日帰り客も多い。
Today I stayed at Hariyuso Inn located at Tamura City somewhat behind Ono Town. This was a public inn of Tamura City which provided secure stays with reasonable price. Many daytime visitors also enjoyed the bath.
【２０１３年４月１５日】 満開 の 三春滝桜 、本宮市 の桜も満開（ April 15,2013: Miharu Takizakura in full bloom, Full bloom also in Motomiya City ）
本日は、岳温泉 を出発し、本宮市 を経由し、再度、三春町 に入る。
Today, I left Dake Onsen and via Motomiya City revisited Miharu Town.
経路は、下の地図を参照。（経路と標高は、ＧＰＳログデータによる。地図は、クリックで拡大できます。）
The actual route is shown in the map below. (The route and altitude data are from GPS log data. The details of the map can be seen by clicking the map.)
本宮市 の 蛇の鼻 （じゃのはな） 遊楽園 では、上の写真のように、ソメイヨシノが満開。
At Janohana Park in Motomiya City Yoshino cherry trees were in full bloom as shown in the pictures above.
更に、本宮市 の 塩ノ崎 では、エドヒガン桜 の大桜が、写真のようにちょうど満開。（ 塩ノ崎の大桜 ）
At Shionozaki area of Motomiya City a giant Edohigan cherry tree was also in full bloom as shown in the picture above.
三春町 では、各地の桜が、満開の時期を迎えていた。
At Miharu Town, most of the cherry trees in the town were in full bloom.
まず、満開の 三春滝桜 の写真を紹介。本日は、平日にもかかわらず、車は５ｋｍの渋滞、全国各地のナンバーでした。バス乗り場も、長蛇の列。自転車は、すいすい行けました。
At first, pictures are shown above of the Miharu Takizakura in full bloom. Although it was weekday today, trafic jam was 5km long from all over the country. Also, there was very long waiting line at bus terminal. It was very lucky that my bike had nothing to do with both of them.
次に、満開の 福聚寺桜 。前回、４月１２日より迫力が増しています。
Next, the weeping cherry tree at Fukujuji Temple today are shown in the pictures above. It had much strong presence compared to that of April 12.
上の写真は、常楽寺 の 枝垂桜 。
The picture shown above is weeping cherry tree at Jorakuji Temple.
今夜の宿は、三春町中にある、写真の ぬる湯旅館 。銭湯併設の古くからの旅館。
Tonight I stayed at Nuruyu Inn shown in the picture above and which was located in the center area of Miharu Town. This was an old inn which also had public bath.
Today, I left Dake Onsen and via Motomiya City revisited Miharu Town.
経路は、下の地図を参照。（経路と標高は、ＧＰＳログデータによる。地図は、クリックで拡大できます。）
The actual route is shown in the map below. (The route and altitude data are from GPS log data. The details of the map can be seen by clicking the map.)
本宮市 の 蛇の鼻 （じゃのはな） 遊楽園 では、上の写真のように、ソメイヨシノが満開。
At Janohana Park in Motomiya City Yoshino cherry trees were in full bloom as shown in the pictures above.
更に、本宮市 の 塩ノ崎 では、エドヒガン桜 の大桜が、写真のようにちょうど満開。（ 塩ノ崎の大桜 ）
At Shionozaki area of Motomiya City a giant Edohigan cherry tree was also in full bloom as shown in the picture above.
三春町 では、各地の桜が、満開の時期を迎えていた。
At Miharu Town, most of the cherry trees in the town were in full bloom.
まず、満開の 三春滝桜 の写真を紹介。本日は、平日にもかかわらず、車は５ｋｍの渋滞、全国各地のナンバーでした。バス乗り場も、長蛇の列。自転車は、すいすい行けました。
At first, pictures are shown above of the Miharu Takizakura in full bloom. Although it was weekday today, trafic jam was 5km long from all over the country. Also, there was very long waiting line at bus terminal. It was very lucky that my bike had nothing to do with both of them.
次に、満開の 福聚寺桜 。前回、４月１２日より迫力が増しています。
Next, the weeping cherry tree at Fukujuji Temple today are shown in the pictures above. It had much strong presence compared to that of April 12.
上の写真は、常楽寺 の 枝垂桜 。
The picture shown above is weeping cherry tree at Jorakuji Temple.
今夜の宿は、三春町中にある、写真の ぬる湯旅館 。銭湯併設の古くからの旅館。
Tonight I stayed at Nuruyu Inn shown in the picture above and which was located in the center area of Miharu Town. This was an old inn which also had public bath.
