【特集】なぜ“桜守”に？「この景色を次の世代にも」長野県から移住してきた29歳女性桜守の奮闘に密着【新潟】スーパーJにいがた4月11日OA

In the summer of 2024, a woman who moved to the Joetsu region from outside the prefecture was appointed "Sakura Mori" (Cherry Blossom Guardian). She struggled to maintain the cherry blossoms in an unfamiliar place, but unfamiliar tasks and the heavy snowfall this winter made for a tough task. As the cherry blossoms reached full bloom, how did the Sakura Mori feel? A camera followed her efforts. Somei-Yoshino cherry trees adorn Joetsu in spring. There are approximately 4,000 of them in Takada Castle Ruins Park and the surrounding area. This year, the spectacular yet graceful cherry blossoms welcomed visitors again. ■ From Nagaoka City "I'd heard it was incredibly beautiful. This is the 100th cherry blossom viewing event. I'm glad I came. It's so beautiful." ■ From Niigata City "The castle, cherry blossoms, and the illuminated trees make for a rare sight." There's a woman who gazes upon the cherry blossoms with a special feeling. ■Cherry Blossom Guardian Misaki Itakura "This is my first time seeing the cherry blossoms in Takada this year. It's truly impressive, seeing so many." Misaki Itakura (29) moved from Nagano Prefecture in August 2024 to work as a "cherry blossom guardian," a craftsman dedicated to preserving and cultivating the cherry trees at Takada Castle Ruins Park. ■Cherry Blossom Guardian Misaki Itakura "Today, we built a protective fence in Area C and cut down trees on the slope near Gokuraku Bridge." The cherry trees at Takada Castle Ruins Park are primarily managed by rookie "cherry blossom guardian" Itakura and veteran Koyama. ■Veteran Cherry Blossom Guardian Hide Koyama "(This cherry tree) has already withered and has stopped budding completely. It's almost dead..." On this day, an older cherry tree that had stopped blooming was being cut down. Itakura, who just took up the position, is receiving guidance from Koyama. ■Sakura Guardian Misaki Itakura "Because trees are so tall, even a few centimeters or millimeters of deviation can make a big difference and cause them to fall over." A novice cherry blossom guardian struggles. Itakura previously worked in grape cultivation at a winery in Nagano Prefecture, but what made her decide to become a "cherry blossom guardian"? ■Sakura Guardian Misaki Itakura "I've loved cherry blossoms since I was a child, and I love them so much that cherry blossom viewing is my energy for the year. I realized that cherry blossoms all over the country were in a state of distress." Somei-Yoshino cherry trees generally have a lifespan of around 60 years. As cherry trees across the country continue to age, their branches are more susceptible to breaking, increasing the risk of them falling. Cherry tree planting at Takada Castle Ruins Park began in 1909. Today, most of the trees are over 60 years old. ■Sakura Guardian Misaki Itakura "Longevity efforts don't produce immediate results, so I wonder if what I'm doing now is really the right thing. Will they make me feel better? I enjoy studying, and being able to think about cherry blossoms every day is very rewarding." This winter, a cold wave swept across the prefecture. In Takada, Joetsu City, approximately 140cm of snow was observed. ■Sakura Guardian Misaki Itakura "The amount of snow is incredible. It's a bit too much... This is my first time in Niigata, and I'm shocked." At Takada Castle Ruins Park, cherry tree branches repeatedly broke under the weight of the snow. In addition, there was this kind of damage: ■ Cherry Blossom Guardian Misaki Itakura "This year, we've seen a lot of damage from snowplows and bulldozers, and some trees have had their bark peeled off... The cambium layer has been gouged out. Decay fungi have entered the trees, and the trees' wilting progresses from there. If left unattended, even the thicker branches will wither, so early treatment is important." Having been a cherry blossom guardian for six months - Using the knowledge I've gained from growing wine grapes, I accurately analyzed the condition of the cherry trees and responded accordingly. ■ Veteran Cherry Blossom Guardian Hide Koyama "Honestly, no one else can do this in just six months. Their sense is truly outstanding." ■ Iwanohara Vineyard Yuzuki Shirai "This is the archives of Iwanohara Vineyard founder Zenbei Kawakami." On this day, I had a brief day off. I visited a winery in the city. ■Sakura Guardian Misaki Itakura "I've left my job at the winery, but I still love wine so much that I want to get back into grape growing." Iwanohara Vineyard is known as the "holy land of wineries," and I finally got to participate in a long-awaited tour for the first time. ■Sakura Guardian Misaki Itakura "I haven't been to all the tourist spots (in Joetsu). Iwanohara Vineyard is my first. As the weather gets better, I'd like to visit (various tourist spots)." ■Eco Green Toshio Suzuki "We've confirmed that more than 10 flowers have bloomed, so we're announcing the bloom today." The blossoms bloomed on April 6th, one day ...