A Leisurely Journey through Murakami's Beef Tongue and Cherry Blossom Tunnel

In the spring cherry blossom season, take a self-driving trip to Murakami City, slowly driving along the 2-kilometer cherry blossom tunnel on the Arakawa embankment. The falling pink snowflakes on the car window resemble special filter effects. While parking and strolling, you may encounter elderly women in kimonos who will hand you homemade sakura mochi, saying 'Young people should be happy.' For lunch, savor the dreamy Murakami beef at the century-old restaurant 'Itoya,' where charcoal-grilled beef tongue is sprinkled with sansho pepper, and the aroma of the fat mixes with the falling cherry blossoms. On the way back, detour to the Five-Story Pagoda on Mount Haguro and ring the bell of happiness at dusk.