Senba Lake Park, Ibaraki

#cherryblossom25 Senba Lake Park in Mito City is one of those relaxed, “live-like-a-local” kind of hanami spots. The cherry trees completely encircle the lake, so you get a near-constant view of blossoms reflected on the water as you walk or bike around. I caught the sunrise here — the sky turned golden and pink, and the mirror-like lake made it double the magic. Locals were out walking dogs, jogging, or just sitting quietly with thermoses of tea. I loved that vibe — no crowds, no rush, just the soft rustle of petals and the occasional swan floating by. There’s even a little zoo nearby if you want to make a day of it. My #cherryblossom25 post was super simple: “Sometimes stillness is the best view.” And honestly, that summed it up.