Cherry Blossom challenge!

I was super excited for the cherry blossom season as I should have been. It was amazing and beautiful. Unfortunately, the season only lasts for one week so I set a challenge for myself: have a picnic under the cherry blossoms everyday possible for lunch. It was an awesome experience and I'm so glad that I went through thith the challenge. To make it more interesting, I tried to go to a different park everyday and actually made it to three different parks in the four days that I was able to have a picnic lunch.

Day 1:

On my first day, it was a gorgeous spring day. I went to a nearby park that had about four trees, some awesome picnic tables, and a great play set. I got a seat right under one of the trees and had a bento from 7-11.

The view from my table

My tree!

Day 2:

I almost didn't go on the second day. It was overcast and chilly. All of my coworkers thought I was crazy but I was determined! I got an easy and portable lunch in case it started to rain. This was probably my least favorite park. It actually wasn't much of a park. It was one tree with a small amphitheater. I still had a good time though.

I sat right under the tree on the benches

So beautiful!

 Day 3:

This was my favorite picnic day. This park was just a row of cherry blossoms. It was a gorgeous day outside as well which helped with my attitude. This park didn't have any benches though so I had ot bring my own blanket which I didn't mind. It's also close to the local bakery so I got to have some awesome fresh cooked bread for lunch. Two of my treats were shaped like famous Studio Ghibli characters Totoro and Ponyo. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect picnic under the sakura.

Stunning

My view all during lunch

Delicious Totoro and Ponyo bread! The Ponyo one is filled with ham! Love it!

Day 4:

My last day was also a bit overcast and chilly but I knew that it was supposed to rain the next day for sure so I wanted to get out there and go once more before the season was over. I went back to the same park I went to for day 1 but sat under a different tree to get a new viewpoint. I liked this viewpoint better as I could observe the cute kids playing. I enjoyed a bento box from 7-11 again.

My last day

I was so glad I followed through and went all four days. It was an unforgettable experience!

First Hanami

I have been waiting for this moment for a while in Japan, it's almost sakura (cherry blossom) season!! I went on a hanami with my friend about a week too early. Hanami is the name for a traditional picnic under cherry blossom trees. It's super fun. Everyone here does them. As I said, we went a bit early. There were some trees that were in full bloom but not as many as we had hoped. We grabbed some food and headed over to Shinjuku National Gardens in hopes of having a great picnic.

It was a beautiful day so the park was still pretty crowded. We went to the traditional Japanese portion of the garden and grabbed a seat right under a blooming sakura tree.

Me under our tree

My lunch box: fried pork, rice, tamagoyaki (fried egg), and green tea

I absolutely loved. We just sat there and absorbed the natural beauty around us. I adore the attitude that he Japanese have about sakura season. Everyone stops their days to admire the trees and enjoy a relaxing picnic. I think so often we blow past all of the natural beauty that is around us. We are so bust we never pause to reflect on the stunning things around us. It has really been a wonderful change in attitude for this amazing spring season.

After lunch, we joined everyone in taking pictures of our tree. I think I caught some pretty great pictures.

The obligatory close up

The park in the background

We walked through the rest of the park trying to find some more awesome trees. Luckily, we found some perfectly blooming ones.

Yes! I have a picture of me and the tree!!

So basically, I had an awesome time and can't wait for peak season!