2025/04/16 [Wed]
Sakura Season in Full Bloom
Hi everyone, how have you been? The sakura has been in full bloom for quite some time now. Have you had the chance to go out and enjoy them? I’m happy to share that even after two weeks, you can still find some places where the blossoms look lovely.
When I lived in Tokushima, driving to work and seeing the sakura was always a delight. Unfortunately, my time in Niseko was a bit different. There weren’t many sakura trees in the area where I lived. Plus, my commute was just a three-minute walk—sounds great, doesn’t it? If there was ever an emergency, I could easily run over to work from home, which happened often during winter because I had no intention of leaving the house in the snow.
Well, that’s partly a lie since I did visit a nearby izakaya quite often! Other than that, I’d only go out to the gym, avoiding unnecessary trips out of fear of being stranded in a blizzard. Friends of mine had shared stories of getting trapped in Sapporo and missing work the next day. I nearly experienced that myself, though thankfully I was driving my own car. Navigating through a blizzard at a snail’s pace, following the blinking taillights of other cars, and witnessing vehicles spin out due to poor traction was terrifying. After that, I decided it wasn’t worth the risk.
Life in Gunma
Gunma is quite different. There’s no snow, the weather is usually lovely—except for the occasional heavy winds—and being close to Tokyo is a real bonus. I’ve taken day trips to Tokyo for events or lunch with traveling friends, returning on the last or second-to-last train. It’s a bit of a hassle, but having Tokyo nearby is definitely a perk.
Recently, it’s been rainy here, but fortunately, the sakura hasn’t been affected by the wind or rain. Perhaps Gunma’s sakura are a little more resilient—though I might just be imagining things. It’s already mid-April, and the blossoms are still hanging on. I wonder how much longer they’ll last. Have the sakura in your area fallen yet?
Fires and Outdoor Vibes
With the recent nice weather, we’ve been lighting fires outdoors to welcome guests. Sometimes, our guests even sit outside and enjoy their dinner around the fire. It’s a lovely ambiance when the wind cooperates, though it’s less pleasant when smoke gets blown into your eyes!
Do you enjoy sitting around a campfire or spending time outside in nature? Now is the perfect time to do so before the weather gets too hot!
