Springtime in Japan is the most iconic and admired of the seasons thanks to the overwhelming blooms of the cherry blossoms (among other flowers). You may recall my posts from last year documenting some of my experience with the sakura season, although most of the short period of full bloom was ruined by rain and cold weather.
Unfortunately this year was quite the same. Of three hanami (picnics) that I attended last week, rain appeared to upset… all three of them. Rain is still coming and going quite unpredictably but I’m happy to report I caught the wonderful weather earlier this week.
Because I love visiting Japan’s parks and gardens so much, and because Shinjuku is central to almost all my day to day livelihood, it may be surprising that in my 18 months in Japan I had never visited Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden. Since it’s renowned for it’s cherry blossoms, the time had finally come.
It’s difficult to describe exactly how it feels to be in Japan during the cherry blossom season. For me, at least, it’s an extremely dream-like state. Pictures don’t really do the experience justice. People take off work to go sit beneath the falling petals, or stroll through the tree-lined paths, or just look and appreciate the beauty. The world slows down and blurs slightly into a haze of pinks and whites.
The park was absolutely packed, with a huge crowded mob at the entrance to get in. That didn’t spoil the mood at all. The day was brilliant, the park was gorgeous, and I spent some nice time in the sun and walked away with some beautiful memories and also a sunburn.
Where's She Now? 