Making friends and enjoying the general joie de vivre of cherry blossom season.
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Colisays
I’m always so surprised at the crowds during this time of the year. It’s equally as bad here in kansai with the crowds. In fact I think that’s one of the reasons why they’ve started to charge money for groups who do so in front of Himeji castle. I much prefer to go out into the countryside and enjoy the cherry blossoms without the crowds.
I’ve followed your blog for years, but this is my first time commenting. Beautiful photo, I’d love to visit Japan in spring. Have you ever been met with hostility from people who don’t want their photo taken?
Thanks, and very good to hear from you. Definitely a good time to visit. Now or autumn are the best times in my opinion.
Not out and hostility, no, although obviously on occasion people do get more than a little annoyed. So long as you don’t really push it though, any real awkwardness can generally be avoided. But in most cases, a big smile and a nod or apology will quickly sort things out. The latter quite often resulting in the person changing their mind and saying ok to the photo.
We can only visit Tokyo at Easter due to work commitments and are hoping some of the blossom will hang on another week. The past two visits have been blessed with spectacular displays though, so we do have lots of memories and photos. This year and next year (easter is about as late as it can possibly get – April 21st) we may need to fall back on photographs like this one. Well, maybe without the the alt-reservoir-dogs formation of disgruntled locals 🙂
Haha, to be honest I went out looking for a slightly different take on the blossoms, and I just about managed to get one I think.
Afraid to say they have now passed their peak and are beginning to fall, but they’ll still be round for a fair bit longer — just not at their best. This year was unusually early. Ten days early I seem to recall reading. But next year they could just as easily be late. Luck of the draw unfortunately…
Coli says
I’m always so surprised at the crowds during this time of the year. It’s equally as bad here in kansai with the crowds. In fact I think that’s one of the reasons why they’ve started to charge money for groups who do so in front of Himeji castle. I much prefer to go out into the countryside and enjoy the cherry blossoms without the crowds.
Lee says
Yeah, pretty intense crowds eh? Really does get a bit much at times. Seemingly even more so this year…
Sounds like Himeji castle has hit on a great way to make money. That’ll be a very nice bonus for them.
Denton says
Cool shot. Happy times! 😉
Lee says
Cheers. Haha, sort of!
Blurgh says
I’ve followed your blog for years, but this is my first time commenting. Beautiful photo, I’d love to visit Japan in spring. Have you ever been met with hostility from people who don’t want their photo taken?
Lee says
Thanks, and very good to hear from you. Definitely a good time to visit. Now or autumn are the best times in my opinion.
Not out and hostility, no, although obviously on occasion people do get more than a little annoyed. So long as you don’t really push it though, any real awkwardness can generally be avoided. But in most cases, a big smile and a nod or apology will quickly sort things out. The latter quite often resulting in the person changing their mind and saying ok to the photo.
cdilla says
We can only visit Tokyo at Easter due to work commitments and are hoping some of the blossom will hang on another week. The past two visits have been blessed with spectacular displays though, so we do have lots of memories and photos. This year and next year (easter is about as late as it can possibly get – April 21st) we may need to fall back on photographs like this one. Well, maybe without the the alt-reservoir-dogs formation of disgruntled locals 🙂
Lee says
Haha, to be honest I went out looking for a slightly different take on the blossoms, and I just about managed to get one I think.
Afraid to say they have now passed their peak and are beginning to fall, but they’ll still be round for a fair bit longer — just not at their best. This year was unusually early. Ten days early I seem to recall reading. But next year they could just as easily be late. Luck of the draw unfortunately…