Hooray for Sakura!

'Tis sakura season and Japan is bursting into bloom! Sakura is the Japanese name given to the blossoms of an ornamental cherry tree. These trees are considered a symbol of Japan and have held a very prominent place in Japanese culture for many centuries. Both Japanese nationals and foreign tourists flock to gardens, parks, and temples where the trees are laden with thousands of delicate pink flowers. During this season it is popular for friends to gather together for hanami (flower viewing picnics) to relax and enjoy the beautiful blooms. (usually lots of sake is involved!)

Josh, Elise and I met our friend Naomi in Ueno yesterday to join in the festivities! Ueno is a century old park in downtown Tokyo that includes a national zoo and several other museums. It boasts over twelve hundred cherry trees and is one of the most popular spots to enjoy this seasonal treat. We estimated that we were joined by over 50,000 people during our hanami and afternoon stroll. It was pretty unbelievable! When we weren't enjoying the countless blooms above, we were certainly enjoying the opportunity to people watch.

Apparently people begin to show up at dawn to "reserve" their places along the flowered walkways. The streets were lined with tarps that were taped down and usually spread with food, drinks, and friends. Street stalls sell popular fair foods like yakisoba (stir fry noodles), yakitori (grilled chicken), grilled squid, and other tasty treats! Everyone seemed to be thoroughly enjoying the spring weather and the lovely sakura day. What fun!

Aloha!

We just got back to Yokosuka after a warm and wonderful trip to Hawaii. Josh had a conference there and Elise and I were able to meet him and then have some family vacation time together! The weather was beautiful and we got to see and do so many things; here are a few highlights...

Elise got to dip her feet into the Pacific on several occasions! It was a little too cool for her liking; she seemed to prefer splashing in the warm tidal pools instead.

Eating butter and garlic shrimp at Giovanni's shrimp truck on the North Shore - yum!


Josh and I got a fun date night while my mom babysat Elise! Yay!


We had the chance to visit the USS Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor.

Here we are climbing through an old WWII lookout on our hike to the top of Diamond Head.

During our stay at the North Shore we had several amazing hikes. This one was to Laie Falls on the windward coast.

Hina Matsuri

Hina Matsuri is a traditional Japanese holiday that takes place each year on the 3rd day of the 3rd month. It is also known as "Doll's Day" or "Girl's Day" and is considered a special day to pray for the growth and happiness of young girls. (and to help insure that they grow up to be beautiful and healthy!) The doll displays always contain the emperor and empress and can range from the very simple to the very elaborate. Grandparents often give their granddaughters these ornamental dolls when they are first born.
Families usually set the dolls out in mid-February to commemorate the day because it was once thought that dolls had the power to hold in bad spirits. Originally, the dolls were displayed and then thrown into the river so that troubles and bad spirits would be washed away. Now it is just customary to put the dolls away at the end of March 3rd. (Otherwise, is it said that those who procrastinate will have their daughters marry late in life.)