We arrived early, fully expecting crowds. We reached the palace grounds just after they opened the gates and there was already a pretty large line waiting to get through security to see the beautiful trees. The sun was out and the buds of yesterday were opening with enthusiasm and were ready for people to delight in their presence. Getting through security included a bag search, drinking a swig out of any bottles containing liquid (it's better than having to toss them!), and getting wanded with a metal detector. After completing these three steps, we were able to go inside the grounds. We walked down the main "street" or path, which had blooming cherry trees on either side.
The weather was so nice today and the blooms loved it. There was a vast difference in their appearance between yesterday and today. It was such a wonderful day to view the blossoms. There were lots of different varieties and they were beautiful to say the least. Colors ranged from white to very dark pink. I couldn't pick a favorite because they were all so wonderful to see!
Cherry blossoms are very important to the people of Japan. They are often found in artwork and, in my opinion, are a universal symbol of Japanese beauty. From clothing to home décor to other embellishments, cherry blossoms can be found in everything around here. So, when the actual blooms unveil themselves, it is a really big deal. As a matter of fact, dining and drinking under blooming cherry trees is a major event! More on that later.
I thought going to the Imperial Palace to view the cherry blossoms was really fun. It was a different experience, since they don't normally let people onto the grounds. Plus, the nice weather really had me wanting to be outside enjoying the sights of nature. However, next time, I'd actually like to see the residence or more of the "home." The Imperial Palace is still very much a mystery to me. More to discover and learn on another day!
No comments:
Post a Comment