The final glimpse of the cherry blossoms. Resembling the Milky Way, flower petals cover the Ōoka River.

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1204160004/

April 16, 2012

At the river bank, a final look at the cherry blossom trees in bloom. Scattered flower petals cover the water’s surface=Ōoka River

The "Painted Scene" of the flower petals. On the 15th, in the flowing Ōoka River of central Yokohama City, the final days of the viewing season for the cherry trees have arrived. The petals of the Yoshino Cherry Blossom trees along the river bank scatter and cover the water’s surface.

800 Yoshino Cherry blossom trees are in the full bloom along both sides of the river, from downstream (in the central ward) to midstream (in the southern ward). As the water’s surface stretches over the distance, being pulled by the tides, the flowing river mouth full of flower petals resembles the "Milky Way.” Called the final flower viewing spot, sightseers enjoy riding down the river in canoes. An amateur cameraman took the popular shot above.

Original text:

見納めの桜、大岡川の川面に花びらの天の川/横浜

2012年4月16日

川岸の桜が見納めとなり、散りゆく花びらが川面を染める＝大岡川

花びらの“絵模様”―。横浜の市心部を流れる大岡川で15日、川岸の桜（ソメイヨシノ）が見納めとなり、散りゆく花びらが川面を染めた。

大岡川は下流の中区から中流の南区にかけての両岸に約８００本のソメイヨシノが咲き誇る。潮が引いて、川の流れが河口に向かうと花びらが“天の川”のように川面に延びる。「最後の見せ場」にカヌーを楽しむ人たちや花見客、アマチュアカメラマンが盛んにシャッターを切っていた。