Miura-Kaigan Kawazu Sakura Alert - 2018

The cherry blossom phenomena known as "Kawazu Sakura" (also called Kawazu Zakura) is just about ready to explode! The stretch of train track between the Miura-Kaigan and Misakiguchi train stations on the Keikyu line are lined with mustard plants and Kawazu-sakura.

Unlike normal cherry blossom trees these bloom early.

Even through these trees are not even close to full bloom this area is already attracting visitors.

Here comes the train!

Early signs of spring bring joy to all.

You may ask yourself, well, how did I get here!
-- Talking Heads

I walk around with a smile plastered on my face - others focus inward and contemplate the meaning of life; spring can be like that.

Others are here escorting their parents and grand parents - love can be a strong bond between generations.

Why are so many people attracted to the viewing of cherry blossoms? Maybe it's just because it's a damn good excuse to get out of the house.

Give it another week or two and this scene will be solid pink.

More fans of the Kawazu Sakura join me on the train overpass.

She and I, total strangers, we share a smile in passing; that's the magic of cherry blossom viewing.

The crossing guard said "stop right there!"

After the cars passed by he smiled and said "go ahead".

Not a lot of youngsters out here today.

Smile for the camera smart phone.

As I return to the train station others pass me by on the way to the cherry trees.

Back at the station - grumpy old men like cherry blossoms too!

After spending the morning at Miura-Kaigan I spent the afternoon at the Yokohama Doll Museum.

Is she just a doll in a display case? Or, is she a prisoner in a glass cell?

The western style dolls always fill me with a sense of sadness.

They just don't look happy.

If they could talk I think they might say... "help me".

If one looks to the right of her head one can see a reflection of my left hand focusing the camera lens.

The following pictures are the dolls in the special exhibition.

The attention to detail is incredible.

Her face is about the size of my thumb nail.

As long as one refrains from using a flash cameras are authorized in the Yokohama Doll Museum

The young prince?

She has a knowing look.

Not surprisingly I'm the only male visitor in the museum. Almost all the other visitors are women, the rest are children.

Admission fee for the museum is 600 yen and that includes the special exhibition.

Last shot of the day: This doll is...
Tangled up in blue!
--Bob Dylan

Thanks for stopping by!
Mike