April 6 Castle Ruin Utsunomiya, Japan

We have picked up Valerie and Kensho and are now going to Utsunomiya Castle to check on cherry blossom blooming trees.  I love this place as this is the first place Teresa took me on my first trip to Japan.  The cherry blossoms were in bloom at that timing as they are in bloom today. 

Utsunomiya Castle Ruins Park is where the main enclosure of the Utsunomiya castle used to be located. The park was built aimed at reconstruction of the main enclosure based on historical records and findings of the excavation. Utsunomiya castle was originally built in the late Heian period. The moat of Utsunomiya castle keep is thought to have been constructed in the first half of the 17th century. Old documents indicate that it was 21.8-meters (71.5-feet) in width. Archaeological investigation has confirmed that the moat was a maximum of 27-meters (88.6-feet) wide and 7-meters (23-feet) deep.

 The moat that surrounds the castle was some protection.   Seimei-dai  tower, the north-west turret was said to be what kept the castle safe because the clay fence here is higher than any other position.

The beauty of the blooming cherry trees once we entered the ground was breathtaking.  The beauty was magnificent. 

I did get some great shots of Valerie and Kensho today.  Hope they enjoy their photos.

The sky was looking so dark and we were afraid it was going to be bad storm so we left the park after many photos of cherry blossoms.