The Ichinoya Sakura

Close to the Ichinoya dormitories at the University of Tsukuba is a Cherry tree that is a celebrity for two weeks, every year.

It stands in splendid isolation, next to a little pond called Hyotaro Ike, far away from the avenues lined with blooming Sakura's.

Few can resist the temptation of stopping by, touching the flowers and branches as petals flutter down with each passing breeze...