yumyumcherry

OH NO!!! Sakura Mayhem.

Apparently, if you are one of the Cherry Blossom Viewing Enthusiasts—well, you’re now on your own. Which is not to say that it isn’t more enjoyable WITH a friend, but the ‘Official’ Japanese weather agency has decided to cease reporting the progress of the blossoming this year.

I do remember watching the NHK Newscasts (sorry Fuji) and each Spring seeing charts with projections of exacting when to anticipate the floral frenzy. This year yyc hit Ueno to do that hanami thing in traditional style. We are told that many companies encourage group viewing (actually, in Japan they encourage group ANYTHING….but, we won’t dwell on that in order to keep our PG rating).

jaa mate!

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They say timing is everything, and in our case, this Japan trip proved the case. Warmer than anticipated, the Japanese forecast for the Sakura (J-speak) was due mid-April, but we were treated to a truly beautiful natural (and NATIONAL) spectacle on March 26.

Ueno Park, a bit down on its luck in recent years–so the Natives disclose–was the site of a wonderful celebration of the blossoms….cotton candy (pinku-of course) and all.

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photo: JList

“Mum’s” the word. This is the treat that dutiful Japanese moms put in their kids’ backpacks for good luck during test taking (of course, nothing beats an Amulet from the Meiji Shrine….designed for that purpose, of course).

That is, of course, unless mom’s a Geijin. Then you get a bucket of ribs and some, what appears to be, bratwurst. Hope she threw in a cold one, too.

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