Sakura with Sakuragi

The sakura in Japan bloomed early this year thanks to freakish weather I like to blame on global warming. They may have bloomed early this year but they were just as beautiful as ever, so my friend Miss Sakuragi (Sakura Tree!) went on a voyage to find the most beautiful sakura in all of Tokyo. Here's what we came up with...

We headed off to Kichijoji, one of my favorite neighborhoods in Tokyo. There is a great park with a lake and the streets are lined with gold, er, I mean, with great restaurants, antique shops and bohemian cafes. I love the area- and if didn't cost me an arm an leg, I'd move there in a heartbeat. (although, I might be persuaded to give up my non-dominant limbs)



Here's the lake- famous for its swan boats. I know, cheesy but the Japanese people eat it up like it's good sushi.



Afternoon sun and sakura at the lake.



5 old men sitting by the lake, talking stories on a beautiful Friday afternoon. Something to look forward to during retirement!



Miss Sakuragi and I getting getting traditional tea and sweets at a Japanese-style cafe. We needed replenishment after a hard day of looking at pretty things. Now I know how my students feel in my class! haha. (shamelessly BAD joke, I realize) And yes, I chopped my hair. It's much, much shorter now with chunky bangs, and although I'm not sure this is blogworthy exactly, in my world it's a big deal. So, just pretend it's enthralling and humor me. ;)

This week is Golden Week, a 4 day holiday in Japan so I'm heading camping in Chichibu National Park west of mi casa. By now you must have realized... this "working" in Japan thing is really code for, "travel and put off adulthood as long as possible." So far so good!