Yes, dear reader, the blooming of the cherry blossoms is taken so seriously here that regardless of what I've seen in my neighbourhood the last few days, the blossoms received the official nod today.
In a ritual that attracts sightseers and much media, the sakura season in Tokyo is officially declared open when a particular tree at perhaps Tokyo's, if not Japan's, most controversial shrine, the Yasukuni Shrine, comes into bloom. And that's just the start, the 'height of the blooming' is not anticipated for another week or so.
So, to recognise this moment dear reader, I went to a little neighbourhood park to see what the locals had to say...
Classic pose |
Reaching for the sky |
Not quite ready |
Already over it |
Not quite sure |
A picture |
This lasts about ten days or so. Sakura in full bloom is a sight to be seen. Be warned, dear reader, you might have ten days of cherry blossoms in every way, shape and form ahead...
And why not!
[Camera : Canon EOS60D, 28-80mm, 4.56pm-5.01pm, 21 March 2016]