Hanami

Tokyo is still in the midst of winter weather with temps close to 0 C degrees in the morning. But no need to act like a curmudgeon, huddled in your hovel or crawling through the subterranean passageways of the city. Time to get out there and smell the flowers, literally. Right now, in Feb., it's ume blossom time. Plum blossoms have a distinct, subtle fragrance, but you need to get close to them to discover this. And they have a delicate shape different from but just as lovely as cherry blossoms. Most parks have a few plum trees. So it'll be worth your while to go out there and take a close look. Then, you can hurry back indoors and take a look at the gorgeous tulips that are also in season at the closest flower shop.

0 C, Oh how nice and toasty warm!

Its currently -24 C (-12 F) here!

I wish there were flowers already blooming here but we will have to wait at least a couple more months before that happens.

Enjoy the flowers Dogen Z!

Photos of ume I took two weeks ago:





There are many different species of ume - petals are either single or double, colour varies from white, cream slightly tinged with pink, pale pink, dark pink, green...
I love ume's sweet and a little bit spicy scent.

Great pics, Undrentide, thanks!

Petaris, I think you'd be comfortable in Hokkaido. Bundle up and stay warm. :shiver:

Dogen Z,

I probably would be.

But if/when we move to Japan it will probably be to Kansai region as that is where my wife's family is.

Undrentide,

Great pictures! I wish I was there taking pictures instead of here fixing my snowblower!

We are planing a trip back for early April. I can't wait!