Last year this time, I was in Tokyo for hanami (cherry blossom flower viewing). It has been my long time desire to go see the beautiful sakura bloom in the land of the rising sun. And my wish has finally come true last Spring, April 2010. These are beautiful and sweet memories that will stay with me and worth a lifetime's reminiscing.
Words alone will be inadequate to describe the ethereal beauty of the mesmerizing cherry blossoms, I shall let the pictures below speak for itself ^.^.
In hindsight, I'm glad to have made plans last year or it'll be a different scenerio this year. In view of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, I don't think I'll want to be in Tokyo at this time and even if I'm there, I wouldn't have the mood to admire the beauty of sakura.
Sometimes I wonder with all the global warming and frequent occurrences of natural disaster across the globe, will there be a day where all the places on earth with natural scenery of mountains, lakes and landscapes be gone forever. Will I still get a chance to travel to these places to behold nature's beauty and awe in my lifetime? Will the next generation get to see them at all?
Sakura is synonymous with Japan and the Japanese culture and spirit. It bears great significance from the samurai culture to the Japanese Buddhist/Zen thinking, belief and ethics. In this difficult time of mourning for the many dead and despair of the countless homeless and helpless, I pray that the Japanese will rise up in good spirit beyond their ordeal and look up to hope in this sakura season.
Sakura still blossom this spring as before, hope is still ever present and renewed. Go forth in good faith! New spring promises new hope and new awakenings to a stronger spirit and a better tomorrow!
Amidst the doom and gloom
Came promises of sakura bloom
Lift up your heads
Brave up your hearts
Behold the new hope
Fellow man around the globe
Standing with you
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| Hanami at the Shinjukugyoen, just 10-15mins walk from Shujuku station |
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| There are many species of sakura in the garden |
Different hues and species of sakura .....
Picturesque view and scenery from different spots in the garden .....
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| Striking a pose with nature ;) ... pure bliss! |
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| The perfect picnic spot! |
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| Spotted a couple doing their wedding photo shoots |
Sakura view in the night on the way to Tokyo tower .....
Sakura at the shopping street near the Sensoji temple at Asakusa .....
And, here comes the spring theme and all things sakura!! .....
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| Sakura-inspired menu |
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| Spring-sakura theme bento |
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| Simply sumptuous, yummilicious & very satisfying too! (^_^) |
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| Nice design on the bento box |
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| Cherry blossom flavoured ice-cream!! Must try! |
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| Ice cream sandwiched in between a lantern shaped wafer, nice! |
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| Ice cream with sakura petal bits .... tastes heavenly! Yums!! |
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