The Town Tree: North Japanese Hill Cherry

Akkeshi’s particularly low temperatures, even among those in Hokkaido, means that it’s the last region that the North Japanese hill cherries bloom. It has even been said that the blooms in Akkeshi are more vibrant than those of the same trees on Honshu. Strong against the cold and boasting a long lifespan, these trees’ rose-pink flowers bloom from the beginning of May and can be found not only at Nenohi Park, but also Akkeshi Shrine, the grounds of Kokutai Temple, and so on.