{"id":249,"date":"2013-04-02T14:02:05","date_gmt":"2013-04-02T05:02:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog-en.geo-itoigawa.com\/?p=249"},"modified":"2013-04-02T14:02:05","modified_gmt":"2013-04-02T05:02:05","slug":"more-flowers-on-the-way","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog-en.geo-itoigawa.com\/?p=249","title":{"rendered":"More Flowers on the Way!"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Good afternoon everyone from the Itoigawa Global Geopark! I think today we can officially call a beautiful spring day. The sun is shining (sorta!) and it&#8217;s too warm to go out wearing a coat!<\/p>\n<p>On my way back in from lunch I noticed the rest of the trees in front of city hall:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/blog-en.geo-itoigawa.com\/?attachment_id=250\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-250\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"250\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/blog-en.geo-itoigawa.com\/?attachment_id=250\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog-en.geo-itoigawa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/20130402_123628.jpg?fit=3264%2C2448&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3264,2448\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;2.6&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;SC-06D&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1364906187&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;3.7&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;80&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.000471698113208&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Ready to Pop!\" data-image-description=\"&lt;p&gt;Give these buds a few more days and they&amp;#8217;ll be fully bloomed cherry blossoms.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog-en.geo-itoigawa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/20130402_123628.jpg?fit=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog-en.geo-itoigawa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/20130402_123628.jpg?fit=695%2C521&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-250\" alt=\"Ready to Pop!\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog-en.geo-itoigawa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/20130402_123628-1024x768.jpg?resize=695%2C521\" width=\"695\" height=\"521\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog-en.geo-itoigawa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/20130402_123628.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog-en.geo-itoigawa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/20130402_123628.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog-en.geo-itoigawa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/20130402_123628.jpg?w=1390&amp;ssl=1 1390w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog-en.geo-itoigawa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/20130402_123628.jpg?w=2085&amp;ssl=1 2085w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 695px) 100vw, 695px\" \/><\/a>They are ready to pop any day now! Given enough time and more of this warm weather, they will be in full bloom and ready for the flower viewing season.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/blog-en.geo-itoigawa.com\/?attachment_id=251\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-251\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"251\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/blog-en.geo-itoigawa.com\/?attachment_id=251\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog-en.geo-itoigawa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/20130402_124538.jpg?fit=3264%2C2448&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3264,2448\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;2.6&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;SC-06D&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1364906738&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;3.7&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;80&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.000559284116331&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Cherry Blossoms at Amatsu Shrine\" data-image-description=\"&lt;p&gt;One of the white cherry trees at Amatsu Shrine begins to bloom. On the end of the branch an omikuji, or &amp;#8216;sacred lot&amp;#8217; fortune, is tied. This is a fairly common practice done with &amp;#8216;unlucky&amp;#8217; fortunes.&lt;\/p&gt;\n&lt;p&gt;However, tying fortunes to trees is discouraged as they can cause damage. It is better to tie your fortune to the omikuji posts provided.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog-en.geo-itoigawa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/20130402_124538.jpg?fit=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog-en.geo-itoigawa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/20130402_124538.jpg?fit=695%2C521&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-251\" alt=\"Cherry Blossoms at Amatsu Shrine\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog-en.geo-itoigawa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/20130402_124538-1024x768.jpg?resize=695%2C521\" width=\"695\" height=\"521\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog-en.geo-itoigawa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/20130402_124538.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog-en.geo-itoigawa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/20130402_124538.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog-en.geo-itoigawa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/20130402_124538.jpg?w=1390&amp;ssl=1 1390w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog-en.geo-itoigawa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/20130402_124538.jpg?w=2085&amp;ssl=1 2085w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 695px) 100vw, 695px\" \/><\/a>Do you see that paper? Do you know what it is? Or where this tree might be?<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/blog-en.geo-itoigawa.com\/?attachment_id=252\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-252\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"252\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/blog-en.geo-itoigawa.com\/?attachment_id=252\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog-en.geo-itoigawa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/20130402_124602.jpg?fit=3264%2C2448&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3264,2448\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;2.6&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;SC-06D&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1364906761&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;3.7&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;80&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.000716332378223&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Amatsu Shrine\" data-image-description=\"&lt;p&gt;Amatsu Shrine in spring. A sign advertising the upcoming Spring Festival can be seen on the left.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog-en.geo-itoigawa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/20130402_124602.jpg?fit=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog-en.geo-itoigawa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/20130402_124602.jpg?fit=695%2C521&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-252\" alt=\"Amatsu Shrine\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog-en.geo-itoigawa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/20130402_124602-1024x768.jpg?resize=695%2C521\" width=\"695\" height=\"521\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog-en.geo-itoigawa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/20130402_124602.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog-en.geo-itoigawa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/20130402_124602.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog-en.geo-itoigawa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/20130402_124602.jpg?w=1390&amp;ssl=1 1390w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog-en.geo-itoigawa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/20130402_124602.jpg?w=2085&amp;ssl=1 2085w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 695px) 100vw, 695px\" \/><\/a>Of course, that paper is an <em>omikuji<\/em>. A sacred fortune purchased at shrines. The cherry tree is one in front of Amatsu Shrine, Itoigawa&#8217;s largest and historically most important shrine. It&#8217;s looking like the trees will be in bloom in time for Amatsu Shrine&#8217;s Grand Spring Festival.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/blog-en.geo-itoigawa.com\/?attachment_id=253\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-253\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"253\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/blog-en.geo-itoigawa.com\/?attachment_id=253\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog-en.geo-itoigawa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/20130402_124801.jpg?fit=2448%2C3264&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2448,3264\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;2.6&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;SC-06D&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1364906880&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;3.7&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;80&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.000324675324675&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Amastsu Shrine&amp;#8217;s Grand Spring Festival\" data-image-description=\"&lt;p&gt;Sign advertising Amatsu Shrine&amp;#8217;s Grand Spring Festival, Apr 10th and 11th.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog-en.geo-itoigawa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/20130402_124801.jpg?fit=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog-en.geo-itoigawa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/20130402_124801.jpg?fit=695%2C927&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-253\" alt=\"Amastsu Shrine's Grand Spring Festival\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog-en.geo-itoigawa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/20130402_124801-768x1024.jpg?resize=695%2C926\" width=\"695\" height=\"926\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog-en.geo-itoigawa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/20130402_124801.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog-en.geo-itoigawa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/20130402_124801.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog-en.geo-itoigawa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/20130402_124801.jpg?w=1390&amp;ssl=1 1390w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog-en.geo-itoigawa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/20130402_124801.jpg?w=2085&amp;ssl=1 2085w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 695px) 100vw, 695px\" \/><\/a>The Grand Spring Festival is only about a week away! Read this blog over the next few days to keep updated on it.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211;Ishikoro<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class='wp_social_bookmarking_light'>        <div class=\"wsbl_facebook_like\"><div id=\"fb-root\"><\/div><fb:like href=\"https:\/\/blog-en.geo-itoigawa.com\/?p=249\" layout=\"button_count\" action=\"like\" width=\"100\" share=\"false\" show_faces=\"false\" ><\/fb:like><\/div>        <div class=\"wsbl_twitter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/share\" class=\"twitter-share-button\" data-url=\"https:\/\/blog-en.geo-itoigawa.com\/?p=249\" data-text=\"More Flowers on the Way!\" data-lang=\"en\">Tweet<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<br class='wp_social_bookmarking_light_clear' \/>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Good afternoon everyone from the Itoigawa Global Geopark! I think today we can officially call a beautiful spring day. The sun is shining (sorta!) and it&#8217;s too warm to go out wearing a coat! On my way back in from lunch I noticed the rest of the trees in front of city hall: They are <a href='https:\/\/blog-en.geo-itoigawa.com\/?p=249' class='excerpt-more'>[&#8230;]<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[4,9,7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-249","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-events","category-geopark-outdoor","category-photo","category-4-id","category-9-id","category-7-id","post-seq-1","post-parity-odd","meta-position-corners","fix"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p4hiNW-41","jetpack-related-posts":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog-en.geo-itoigawa.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/249","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog-en.geo-itoigawa.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog-en.geo-itoigawa.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog-en.geo-itoigawa.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog-en.geo-itoigawa.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=249"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/blog-en.geo-itoigawa.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/249\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":256,"href":"https:\/\/blog-en.geo-itoigawa.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/249\/revisions\/256"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog-en.geo-itoigawa.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=249"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog-en.geo-itoigawa.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=249"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog-en.geo-itoigawa.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=249"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}