Yesterday I attended the Takato Cherry Blossom Festival. It's one of the top 3 hanami (cherry blossom viewing party) spots in Japan. There were absolutely beautiful trees all over. And it was packed (it is Japan, after all).
Hanami is basically an excuse for a picnic. People bring food (and usually alcohol, though I didn't drink because of the zero tolerance policy here), and tatami, and set up very elaborate picnics under the blooming cherry trees. In terms of Japanese festivals, it's definitely the most low-key I've seen. It was a lot of fun!
I drove there, and in doing so got to see most of the southern half of the prefecture (it was about 2 hours drive each way). I haven't been down in that direction since there was still snow on the ground, and it was really exciting seeing all the plants come back to life: there were blossoms everywhere (cherry, plum, daffodil, azelea, tulip, etc.). But the most beautiful part was that there is still snow at the very tops of the mountains, and it glowed at sunup and sundown (while I was driving). It was stunning.
Oh, and I got a surprise birthday party. The surprise? That my birthday isn't until July, but they decided to give me one now since Julienne's is this month and they didn't want me to feel left out. It was really sweet!
Photos from hanami and the birthday party are up on Facebook in a new album- email me if you need the link.
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