Hello my friends. I hope all is well with you, and that you have been enjoying the wonderful Spring weather. I know I am very happy that Spring is really here. I like a little snow, but I was getting tired of climbing my roof. I will say though, I have some very nice arms. All the snow shoveling gave me a great body, so you know what that means…time to try out bikinis for Summer!!!! Can’t wait!!!!

But for now, I just want to soak up the Sakura (Cherry Blossoms) because they won’t last very long. Unfortunately, one of the most beautiful symbols of Japan only lasts a week or so. I think that is why Japanese people cherish this tree so much. I am very eager to get together with my friends and hang out under some cherry blossoms at Senshu Park. We’ll have a barbecue, watch some stage performances and party into the night. The food stands will be hopping, and overall people are in a joyous and lively mood. This is hanami, in Japan. This is one of those times of year I recommend coming to Japan, especially Akita because usually the blooming of the Cherry Blossoms comes during our Golden Week holiday, so a lot of people are not really working, or offices close early to let workers hang out and have hanami parties. There is an energy that can only be understood by coming here and experiencing it. It really is an awesome time to be in Japan!!!!

Of course other parts of Japan celebrate the blooming of the Cherry Blossoms. In fact, the nation is taken with this very natural thing, that the weather people give a day by day, week by week, month by month breakdown of when and where the Cherry Blossoms will bloom. Of course Okinawa gets the first mark and Hokkaido sees the last of the blossoms. Actually, my grandparents have told me stories of how they chased the Cherry Blossoms. They went to Okinawa and rode their bicycles from Okinawa (with the help of a ferry or two) to Hokkaido. They were able to see the Cherry Blossoms as they bloomed all throughout Japan. My grandparents are not normal people, and did many weird and amazing things, but those are stories for another blog or five. I asked them if they ever got tired of seeing the same thing, and they said never. They said Sakura symbolize the beauty and spirit of Japan, and in a way the fleeting moments of life, so that we are always reminded to stop and take time to admire what we have. I love my grandparents!!

Okay, so I think, on that note, it is time to let you go, so you can admire Sakura near you. And if you are not near some, please come to Japan and see them as the Japanese see them. We would love to have, and if you are in Akita maybe you’ll run into me, my friends, and my grandparents enjoying the timeless tradition of hanami at a park filled with Sakura.

Ja, mata!