They are coming!

There are signs everywhere of people preparing for the upcoming cherry blossom season.  It is on the news every day, tracking the "official start" in various cities throughout the country.  Many areas are putting up strings of lanterns as part of the annual decorations.  Many of these lanterns have haiku written on them or on strings dangling below. 

While walking to the miniature pig café last weekend, we strolled past the Meguro River, a very popular destination for cherry blossom viewing.  More than 800 cherry trees line the river.  When they bloom they create a breathtaking view.  The lanterns were hung and the blossoms are so close to opening.  With a few more days of sunshine, their beauty will be revealed.  It quite possibly happened today.

The Meguro cherry blossom festival occurs the first weekend of April.  The average peak of cherry blossom season has slowly moved over the years.  In fact, it is 2 weeks earlier these days than 40 years ago!  So, the festival doesn't align with the peak of the season anymore.  Unfortunately they can't move the festival earlier because the city will only fund the festival one time per fiscal year (April 1 to March 31), and if they move the festival earlier, it will be twice in a 12 month period. 

I am seeing more and more blossoms, as we wander around various parts of the city.  Thankfully, there are so many varieties of cherry trees, and they don't all bloom at the same time, stretching out the season just a bit.

Some of the trees in Hikarigaoka Park are starting to bloom.  Each day there are more and more people sitting under them, eager to enjoy the annual tradition of picnicking under the blooming trees.

Right now I am enjoying sporadic hints of pink and white, but I am greatly anticipating the intense views yet to come.  It is one of my favorite things about living here.