Cherry blossom time, also known as Ohanami, in Japan is an important time for the gathering of family and friends. It is a time of renewal and hope for the coming year. Across the main islands it begins in early March in the south and lowlands then slowly creeps northward reaching the Kanto (Tokyo) region by late April and early May. Across the nation people will gather with family and friends to picnic and party under the cherry blossoms.

Okinawa has always marched to the beat of a different drum and cherry blossom season is no different. Here the cherry blossoms are bright pink instead of the usual white and the blossoming of the trees begins in the north and highlands then spreads to the south and lower elevations. Here the Nago Cherry Blossom Festival is king. People from across the island will drive north to partake in the festivities and make the climb up to Nago Gusuku to enjoy the scenery.

For those who want to enjoy the scenery but prefer to avoid the large crowds, take the family for a drive past Nago out to Motobu and Mt. Yaedake. The town is host to the Yaedake Communications site. When the site was automated years ago, the U.S. Military, in a gesture of thanks to their hosts asked the citizens what they wanted in return for the use of the mountain for so many years. Instead of a new school building, playground, or some other public facility, the citizens asked that the road leading to the top of Mt. Yaedake where the communications site was and is still located, be lined with cherry trees.

Now every year people come by the hundreds to walk or drive the winding road to the top of the mountain and enjoy the breathtaking scenery. There are several places to stop and the professional and amateur photographer alike can be seen setting up their cameras and waiting patiently for the sun to be just right to snap that perfect picture. In the years since its return, parking facilities have been added at the halfway point and near the top of the mountain and every year the citizens of Motobu hold a small festival on the weekends during the peak of the cherry blossom season.

To drive to Mt. Yaedake, take highway 58 north to Nago and look for highway 84 heading west. Follow that road west, over the mountain through Nakayama and Izumi and back down the other side into Motobu. About a kilometer after the road flattens out, look for the sign that says Mt. Yaedake. The road up is narrow and winding. During the peak viewing season, people can be seen walking the road and tour busses can be a bit of a hassle. Also, the road is narrow and in many places the cherry tree branches hang low over the road so you’re best to take it real slow.

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