Kawagoe’s Hikawa Shrine is a popular spot dedicated to the god of marriage, and just behind the shrine, as if to inspire nuptials, are 500 meters of cherry trees along the banks of the Shingashi River. In fact, this very spot along the river is where a boat crossing is held on the opening day of the city´s spring festival.

Read more in Tripatini contributor Marian Goldberg´s post Kawagoe, Japan's March-through-May Festival Celebrates the Arrival of Spring.