Lovely Spring

Japan is beeeea-u-ti-ful during spring! We made it through a long winter and we are enjoying the mild tempertures until the horrid humidity arrives. These pictures are actually from about a month ago, but I have been meaning to share them with you.



In honor of Children's Day (which was last weekend) various koi nobori, or flags representing carp fish, are hung around town. These flags represent boys who their parents hope will grow up healthy and strong. We found some giant koi nobori hung along a river. It was gorgeous to watch them flow in the breeze.





Japan is famous for sakura, or cherry blossoms, and rightly so. They only bloom for about two weeks, and the Japanese say their fleeting beauty is a reminder that life is brief and beautiful. It is custom to have hanami - large picnics under the sakura to enjoy friends, family and booze. Lots of booze.







Most of the rivers are lined with sakura. These are just beginning to bloom. Imagine what it is like a few days later!



Lots of energy has been put into the public parks. You can see a hanami there if you look closely. All the people gathered under the sakura to enjoy the season.





We have been capturing lots of beautiful and quirky stuff on our video camera. It's been many places and it is a goal to do something with all that footage. Sounds like a project for a rainy day. Until that day arrives, we have been spending as much time as possible outside!



We hope you're all enjoying spring as much as we are.