Did you have time to get out and enjoy the cherry blossoms this year?  Last year at this time I was so busy putting in my new grass, that I didn’t have any time or energy to enjoy the blossoms.

Last Sunday I was able to get out and visit the best spot for cherry blossoms in Akita, Taihei River!  Sorry Senshu Park and Asahi River.  I think Taihei River is better!  We walked along both sides of the river, and saw many blossoms and many people.  It was a very refreshing walk.

I’ll share some of my photos with you, but first, a few phrases. Hanami is a very Japanese tradition, so today’s phrases are all original Japanese phrases about 花見 in English.

The blossom forecast (開花予報、kaika yohou)

cherry blossom front　(桜前線, sakura-zensen)

night sakura (夜桜yozakura)

dumplings rather than flowers (花より団子, hana yori dango)

Did you know that Japan has donated cherry trees to many cities around the world, and they now have their own local　花見　traditions.  Here are a few:

But I still think Taihei river is the best.  Enjoy Cherry Blossoms!