Wow! It's already May! Means I haven't updated this blog for 5 months. Guess I need more consistency to post at least once a month. Don't you think?
In Japan, the famous sign of spring is cherry tree flower or sakura blossom. Okinawa at the south would be the first area to experience the blossom of sakura in late January every year, proceeded by the northern region up until Hokkaido where sakura blossoms in early May.
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| Sakura blossom front move from south to north |
It's very soothing to see a tree full of pink flowers. Delicately beautiful. I think that's also why Japanese people cherish this period very much. Moreover because it's only last for about 2 weeks until the flower's petal gone as it's blown by the wind. There's even 'sakura forecast' to monitor whether the flower has reached its full bloom state or not. Japanese pay close attention to this forecast, along with weather forecast of course, to hold a cherry-seeing party or hanami (花見), where 'hana' means flower (and it always refers to sakura) and 'mi' means to see. People together with friends and family unfolded their picnic mat at parks, shrines, temples, bring out foods and drinks, even barbecue set and enjoy the pretty flower, relaxing atmosphere and warm weather.
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| Hanami at Maruyama Park, Sapporo with only one tree with flowers left |
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| Our food that day |
Since there is around 200 varieties of sakura tree and they don't bloom at the same time, you can still see a tinge of pink here and there in Sapporo, but the hanami season had already passed. Guess the standard is based on the most popular one somei yoshino or Prunus x yedoensis which has white to light-pink petals and usually will fall within a week or two.
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| Somei yoshino Remaining sakura |
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| Another variety of sakura |
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| Ume flower It blooms at the same period with sakura and it also pink! |
Since next year most likely I won't be at Japan anymore, I can say for sure that sakura blossom and hanami will be one thing (I mean two things) I miss from this country.
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