Tonight's news announced that the estimated bloom start date will be March 29...3 days later than the last estimate because it's been so chilly lately. Updates will be made twice a week now so the celebrations can be planned accordingly.
I'm eventually going to see the sakura in person one of these years...
Posted by: socal dave at March 13, 2003 09:57 AMThis is going to be the first time I'm in Japan for 'Hanami'. I'm cyked!
Where are the good spots?
桜 Sakura is it. I usually don't get swept up in holidays...(completely ignored Hinamatsuri on March 3rd and I'm a girl!), but sakura is powerful. Last year, I found myself sighing as the train would pass a nice row of sakura, stopping in the middle of streets when the wind blew a hanafubuki, and bought up all sorts of sakura decorated stuff.
It is so delicate, beautiful, and fleeting.
Hanami can get crazy. Huge groups of people gather to drink, drink, dance, eat, drink, fall over, drink...you get the idea. Personally, I prefer worshipping the lone sakura tree in the back of some temple where no one bothers to hang out. But if hanami is your first time, you GOTTA at least check out the party scene. I suggest Ueno park. But anywhere where there are a bunch of sakura would work. You'll see people saving spaces from the wee hours in the morning. Many publications will post the 'good' spots - meaning the places that will be packed.
Enjoy! It's spring!
Posted by: Mie at March 13, 2003 06:35 PMOh, to be in Japan in the Spring.
Posted by: Shaun at March 13, 2003 07:21 PMI know a couple places in Kanazawa that would be good but then again, I'm looking for the places that aren't "party-city" hanami :D
Posted by: socal dave at March 14, 2003 03:14 PM