Yamanashi

April Peach Blossoms in Yamanashi

Pretty pink blossoms promise peaches to come

Cathy Cawood Apr 14, 2015 - 1 min read

<p>Red tulips bordered this peach orchard</p>

<p>I wanted to take this photo, so I was glad we had to stop for a red light  </p>

<p>A view over Koshu City from Budo-no-Oka (the name means 'Grape Hill')</p>

<p>Peach trees in the foreground and grape vines on the hillside, with Koshu City below and the mountains behind</p>

<p>The distant mountains were capped with snow</p>

<p>Farm truck parked under the peach trees</p>

<p>Peach orchard with the blue mountains behind</p>

<p>A road leading through the blossoming peach trees</p>

<p>An elevator platform on wheels allows the farmer to work on the tree tops. Possibly he is thinning blossoms to increase fruit size.</p>

<p>Metal rods will be needed to support branches weighed with heavy peaches</p>

<p>Rural view framed by an arching peach bough  </p>

<p>An indistinct Mount Fuji against the pale sky</p>

<p>Peach trees at Fuefukigawa Fruit Park</p>

The Yamanashi countryside is largely given over to fruit production. You won't see many rice fields here, but you will see orchards and vineyards everywhere. In Koshu City and Yamanashi City there are many peach orchards. From early to mid April the pink blossoms create lovely views. Some of these photos were taken from Budo-no-Oka Winery, and some from Fuefukigawa Fruit Park in Yamanashi. Most of them were just taken from the side of country roads. April is the perfect time for a road trip in Yamanashi, either by car or bicycle (if you come by train, you can always hire a bicycle at Kanzo Yashiki opposite Enzan Station.)

Cathy Cawood @cathy.cawood

I came to Japan in 2003 to teach English. I lived in Shiga prefecture for 1 year, and it still holds a special place in my heart. I lived in Kyoto for 9 years, then moved to Machida, Tokyo in 2014 after meeting my Japanese partner. I love to take photos, and my Japan in Pictures Facebook page ha...