Four years and 100,000 miles
I think I drive around a lot. Good thing it has great gas mileage.
I think I drive around a lot. Good thing it has great gas mileage.
More fantastic photography at JapanTimes.co.jp.
Hanami (lit. “flower viewing”) is the Japanese traditional custom of enjoying the beauty of flowers, “flower” in this case almost always meaning cherry blossoms (or sakura), or ume blossoms. From mid January to early May, sakura bloom all over Japan. The blossom forecast (sakurazensen, lit. cherry blossom front) is announced each year by the weather bureau, and is watched carefully by those planning hanami as the blossoms only last a week or two. In modern-day Japan, hanami mostly consists of having an outdoor party beneath the sakura during daytime or at night. Hanami at night is called yozakura (lit. “night sakura”). In many places such as Ueno Park temporary paper lanterns are hung for the purpose of yozakura.
More beautiful photography:
Check out the absolutely beautiful photography of ume plum blossoms and sake at KyotoFoodie.com.
I could definitely sit and contemplate the beauty of these blossoms (or the more usual sakura cherry blossoms in the springtime) while sipping on sake. Peaceful.