I went out for a run this morning. Today was a beautiful spring day-still not really warm-but not cold either. Exactly as predicted by the Japanese Agencies the Sakura started blooming on 23 March. How they can figure that out is beyond me, but they are 99% right. The blooming will continue north and westward through Japan on the following schedule:
I think there is something to be said for the Japanese tradition of celebrating spring by sitting under the Sakura-eating and drinking. The Japanese school year ends in March. So too does the Japanese fiscal year. So the coming of the beautiful leaves signifies a re-birth and is probably a more fitting way to observe the new year -than perhaps the calendar celebrations in January. That’s just me.
I sure do miss the days when I could look out the window from my desk and watch this:
Sigh. All that’s needed now is a cold Asahi and a bento box.