A drive along the Yunoko Cherry Line A spring drive by the sea, then a walk beneath the cherry trees at Osakibana Park

I headed for the Yunoko Cherry Line on a sunny morning in late March. As I followed the coast, cherry branches lined the road. Keeping my eyes on the road and my hands on the wheel, I told my friend, ‘Once we get out, let’s walk under the blossoms.’

I got out of the car at Osakibana Park and straightened the sleeve of my pale green haori. Once I stepped beneath the cherry trees, the path curved gently ahead, with more blossoms stretching into the distance. Unlike the line of trees I’d seen from the car, here I could look up and see all the delicate details in the branches.

I glanced beyond the railing on my left and caught a glimpse of the sea between the trees. I’d been looking at nothing but blossoms until then, so that little glimpse made me so happy. ‘You can see the sea too,’ I told my friend, and stopped right there.

A breeze slipped through, and a single cherry blossom petal drifted down. I held out one hand and followed it with my eyes. It didn’t land in my hand right away, but I found myself wanting to wait for the next petal anyway.

By the time I walked back along the path, the hem of my light purple skirt was swaying a little in the breeze. Even a short stroll felt wonderfully unhurried as I looked up at the blossoms and searched for glimpses of the sea between the trees. Before I got back in the car, I looked up at the branches one more time.

Afterwards, I stopped in central Minamata and went for the champon at Yashiro Shokudo. One bite of toppings, one of noodles—it was just right after my walk. As I picked a song for the drive home, I found myself thinking I’d love to see the cherry blossoms and the sea again next year.