The Sakura now in full bloom in the Tokyo region, and so are the crowds; The cherry blossom travailing show starts in southern parts of Japan in early March. With warm weather the show travels north the last blossoms reported in May which bloom on Hokkaido; Japans most northern Island.

I sympathize for nature photographers who spend thousands$ to watch the annual bloom with hundreds of thousand of peoples, at such places as Ueno a district of Tokyo. It does have its charms, but a 30 minutes line to use a washroom, hundreds of thousands taking a photo of the same cherry blossom pebble. There is even ticket scalping for prime picnic areas, which is completely illegal in Japan…… Simply I say “No Thank You, enough.”

Hanami The Art/Cherry Blossoms Viewing a spiritual, mystical “Zen Garden experience” birds singing, tea ceremony, as with the ancient Japanese traditional values are followed, seeking the perfect cherry blossom. This is my art guiding participants on the Japan trip of a lifetime! Mostly off the tourist track, sometimes on; it does have its charms especially at Matsumoto Castle!