Exploring Kumamoto, Japan

In early March, the plum blossoms in Kumamoto Castle Plum Garden, which were in full bloom, had already fallen and the leaves began to grow in late March. Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/hirMtnYi39AUeio86 On March 23, the blooming of cherry blossoms was declared in Kumamoto Prefecture. This was the same day as Kochi Prefecture, and 2025 was the earliest cherry blossoms were declared to bloom in Japan. The day after the blooming was declared, I went to see the cherry blossoms inside Kumamoto Castle. They have hardly bloomed yet. Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/HWnfZdKU5qJJ7Zys5 I headed for Hokke slope from the Ninomaru Park of Kumamoto Castle. Location:  https://maps.app.goo.gl/tx5g9q5CwbQ6XGne8 Cherry blossoms on Hokke slope are a little more advanced than those on Ninomaru Park. Cherry blossoms on a bed of moss. Behind them, red flowers of camellia fall in dots. We will be able to enjoy walking around inside Kumamoto Castle while admiring the cherry blossoms for a while.

On my first walking course, I met a cat standing on a fence. Location:  https://maps.app.goo.gl/N8cKqM6FvqjwvAbr6 This cat looked as if it wanted to say, “I Am a Cat." He looked at me and said, “Don't bother me.” He seemed to be enjoying the sun while smelling the fragrance of magnolias. This fence, whose house is it? On the far right of the photo, a Japanese information board can be seen at the entrance to this house. Let's get closer. This is the house in Kumamoto City where the novelist Soseki Natsume (1867–1916) once lived. Do they have cats here? Or is it a stray cat? Still, it was a surprise to encounter a cat at Soseki Natsume's former residence. Camellias were beautiful.  

Suna-Yakushi Slope in the San-nomaru area of Kumamoto Castle, Japan. At the top of this hill is the Kumamoto Castle Plum Garden. A clear morning on March 10th, 2025. I walked under the plum blossoms in the garden, which was wet with morning dew. A group of small brids(white-eyes) came by. The plum garden seems to be a breakfast spot for the birds. There were probably more than 10 birds there. They stayed for about 10 minutes and then left the breakfast area. It was my first time to observe small birds eating nectar up close. It was a very cute breakfast scene. Plum blossoms in full bloom and small birds(white-eyes) having breakfast (movie). The best time to see plum blossoms is coming to an end.