Lan, tell us about your cultural experiences! May 2024 Issue

I am currently living near a street called “Tokiwadaira Sakura Street” in Matsudo City. As its name suggests, the avenue is lined by many cherry trees.
After moving here, I learned that “Tokiwadaira Sakura Street” is a well-known spot for cherry blossom viewing in Matsudo City. It was even designated as one of Japan’s top 100 roads in 1987. Approximately 600 cherry trees are lined on both sides of the 3km long avenue which create a beautiful “Sakura Tunnel” during cherry blossom season. Sidewalks are wide enough to take a leisurely walk and enjoy cherry blossom viewing in spring. Once the cherry blossoms have fallen, new green leaves will appear and make the road perfect for strolling. Many shops and restaurants such as Japanese sweets shop (wagashi), Japanese eel (unagi) restaurant, Japanese barbeque (yakiniku) restaurant…are also scattered around the area. One of my favorite things to do is stop by some restaurant after strolling to enjoy the local food.

Moreover, “Tokiwadaira Sakura Festival”, the largest cherry blossom festival in Matsudo, is held there annually in late March which makes the street super crowded with visitors. I go to the festival every year to enjoy the local music, Yosakoi dance performance and modern dance.
In addition to Tokiwadaira Sakura Street, there is another avenue in Kamishiki area which has the largest number of cherry blossom trees in Matsudo. I haven’t been there yet but I definitely plan to go there in the cherry blossom season next year.

私は松戸市の常盤平さくら通りの近くに住んでいます。常盤平さくら通りは名前の通り桜がたくさんある道です。
引越してきてから知ったことですが、常盤平さくら通りは松戸市の花見の名所で、昭和62年（1987年）に「日本の道100選」にも指定されました。全長約3kmに渡る沿道には約600本の桜が植えられており、桜の季節になると、とても美しい桜のトンネルを作ります。両側に十分な幅の歩道があり、春にはゆっくり歩きながらお花見を楽しむことができます。桜が散ったあとに、今度は新緑が出てきて、お散歩に最適な道です。周辺には和菓子、鰻、焼肉などのお店が点在しており、お散歩のあとに寄って地元の味を堪能することは私の楽しみの一つです。

また、3月末頃になると、松戸最大の桜まつりである「常盤平さくらまつり」が例年開催され、街は多くの見物客で賑わいます。私は毎年見に行って、音楽、よさこい演舞、ダンスなど、地元の文化を十分に楽しんでいます。
松戸市には、常盤平さくら通りの他、紙敷地区に市内の街路樹で最も多い本数の桜が占める桜並木もあります。まだ行ったことがありませんが、来年の桜の季節には是非行ってみたいと思います。