Cherries are all over town as we head for the Kintai Bridge.
















There it is & it's very crowded today.


















People are always walking across the Kintai (for good luck). You can see the Iwakuni Castle on the hill above the bridge and the cherries under it.

Driving across a bridge toward the Kintai Bridge park. It was threatening rain so we didn't ride our bikes today. Cherry trees are everywhere as we head for parking.

Children climbing in the cherry trees.

















This little boy was having a great time playing in the sand under a bridge. Look at all the cherry trees behind him!

















Close up of perfect cherry blossoms.

These ladies are covering their hair from the bright sun. The Japanese are NOT sun worshippers, and usually wear hats when it's sunny.















Families relaxing on the riverbank facing the hotel.

















Some of the food & drink booths at the Cherry Festival.

Smelling grilled meat, we stop to see what there is to eat.


















Stan buys food so we can eat under the cherries. This is considered good luck. The lady inside the booth gives me the peace sign -- the usual pose for Japanese.

Yum -- the perfect lunch: Asahi beer & grilled beef!
















These little girls were joyously dancing under the cherries.

That's a white fluffy dog in this stroller.
















More perfect cherry blossoms.

We've never been into this little shop before.
















This artwork was made from rocks found under the Kintai Bridge.

Interesting artwork inside this shop.

Viewing the Kintai Bridge through the cherry blossoms.

















It's good luck to dine under the cherries.

Big crowds in the park.
















This corn was fresh & juicy.

















The line was too long at our regular ice cream shop.

Water trough near a building.

















Camellia hedge still blooming.


















Stan in the Kintai Bridge area.

Here's a shorter ice cream line & look at all these yummy flavors! Stan tried the fresh cherry, but of course Margie had chocolate . . .

This family was chasing the cherry blossoms petals as they blew in the wind.
















Stick-dog & a coke . . .

Every blossom is perfect . . .
















Margie under the cherries.

Lots of people walking across the Kintai Bridge today.

These men were here earlier & are really enjoying their sake under the cherry trees!
















Watching the cormorant boats head for the bridge.

















Looking across the river toward a boat & the hotel above.

Cherries & lanterns along the river.
















A quiet moment to view the bridge.

It's very crowded today -- everyone's enjoying the beautiful cherries & warm weather.



















One last look at a statue as we walk toward our car.

More partying under the trees as we leave the park.
















Stan thought this was an interesting van.


















View of the Kintai Bridge as we head for home.

Behind a bus as we drive away from the Kintai Bridge area.
















Different type of tree trimming than we've seen before -- "paddles" instead of "puffs".