Cherry Blossom (Sakura) viewing is a big deal in Japan. Every spring when the Sakura trees come into bloom almost everyone in Japan will go to a local park and sit under the trees and “take time to smell the roses” as we say.

Because the first rain washes the blossoms off the branches makes Sakura so precious, and this fact is not lost on the Japanese.

People of all ages, from all walks of life take time out to gather with friends and family under the trees and reflect on life (and for those not so reflective to have a few beers).

Kana and I were so busy last Saturday that we didn’t make it to Sakura, and it rained all day on Tuesday washing all the blossoms away. Oh well, maybe we can make a video next year.