A Tree Grows in Tokyo

In Japan, the advent of spring is symbolized by many things: warm winds, talk of who is going to make it to the Japanese World Series, the end of a school year and the beginning of a new one, the numerous glimpses of bent over Japanese heinies amidst the freshly tilled dirt in hopes of making a salad come early fall, and animosity for the IRS for making filing taxes from abroad so menially complicated. Not to forget, the cherry blossoms.

The budding and blooming of cherry blossoms (a.k.a. sakura, in Japanese) has influenced many people: poets with their profundities, artists and their vivacity, tourists with their sights to see, and George Washington and his cutlery. It goes without saying that I, too, was touched by this incredible foliage. In fact, the last time I was touched by foliage this much was when I jumped into a pile of leaves in 7th grade.


The blossoms made it feel as if I was living in a real life Candy Land. I wanted to eat the blossoms, lick the branches, and savor the bark. I think the ants were having a hayday. The people of Japan seemed to be enjoying themselves, too. Cherry blossom season is known as "hanami," which roughly translates to flower watch. All over Japan, people get out of their tiny houses and into the parks, equipped with blanket, book, and booze (oh, and 35 mm digital camera with matching case and tripod). It is a national craze, and well worth it.


Ueno Park (pictured above) is well known for hanami. Crowds flock to the park like middle-aged women to a Michael Bolton revival concert. With that said, this particular park caters to all walks of life, from brittle old women walking their dogs to 20-somethings peeling themselves off the blue tarps they partied and slept on the night before. Hanami is uniting the masses.


Shinjuku Park, on the other hand, is much more chic and civilized. In terms of sakura, Shinjuku is like the filet mignon to the 64-ounce ribeye you get at Ueno. The park in Shinjuku offers a quality mix of Japanese gardening, whereas Ueno gives you quantity...groves and groves of cherry trees, almost too much to handle.

I anticipate a remarkable cherry blossom showing here in Ueno village (not to be confused with Ueno in Tokyo). Because of the cold temperatures up here in the mountains, the sakura comes later.



***Congratulations go out to my man Brian, my college roommate, and Alisa who are now engaged! Interestingly enough, he proposed in Washington D.C. among the blossoming cherry trees (a gift from the Japanese Emperor many years ago). Best Wishes.***