Spring is a beautiful season, it marks the start of a new beginning just like the many kinds of flowers that start blooming. When the season of spring commence, we also start to pick up the slack that the winter and snowy season installed in us. The moderated climate temperature gives us enough strength to explore and discover new things within ourselves and around us.
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Hanami which literally means “flower viewing” is an important Japanese custom and is held all over Japan during the Spring season. Said to have originated in the late 8th century during the Nara Period, when this seasonal event was used to welcome the new year’s harvest marking the beginning of the rice planting season. During the Heian Period, Emperor Saga together with the Japanese royalties would welcome this time with a celebration under the sakura trees in Kyoto’s Imperial Court. The practice spread to all citizens by the Edo Period in the early 1600s. The custom still lives to this day and thus became an annual tradition of enjoying a picnic under the blooming sakura trees. It is no doubt one of the more remarkable natural events in the country.
For this year, Tokyo indeed experience one of the earliest season of cherry blossom which is 10 days earlier than average and 15 days earlier than last year. This is mainly affected by the unusually warm weather in March which rose far above average, taking the weather services by surprise and resulting in a record-breaking early cherry blossom season in the capital. Cherry trees in the city have already reached full bloom and will likely be past their peak by early April. Estimated best viewing period is from March 22 to April 1.
Continue reading Sakura 2013, one of the earliest season on records
Mountain climbing is a popular activity in Japan and without a doubt, Mt. Takao is one of the most popular hiking spots in Tokyo for its convenient location. With only about 50 kilometers from central Tokyo, it is a relatively short 50 minute train ride from Shinjuku via Keio Railways’ Limited Express. Visitors can enjoy its natural beauty and magnificent scenery all in a day’s trip. Mt. Takao also provides a good hike all year round.
Summer in Japan generally falls on the months of June, July, and August and extends up to early September. Summer months can be hot and humid with temperature ranging from 30-40 ℃. Most people take advantage of the warmer temperature spending more time outdoors and traveling to the beach is surely a top pick. And like most of them, we also took this opportunity to have a short get-away from the busy city and enjoy the white sand, clear water, and forested mountains of Niijima.
Mt. Takao which is located in the city of Hachioji, stands at 599 meters tall and is one of the closest natural recreation areas to central Tokyo.
Continue reading Mt. Takao 高尾山, a natural recreation area near the city