Travel Log: Fuji Five Lakes

Fuji Five Lakes is one of the few places left in Central Japan where you can still see cherry blossoms. The cherry blossom season is over in the greater Tokyo area for this year but  in other, more cooler parts of Japan (such as Fuji Five Lakes), the season is now hitting its peak. Continue reading to see some pictures of the blossoms along Kawaguchi Lake's photogenic northern shore. 

T.G.I.F.: Last Minute Sakura Festivals

Missed out on this year's early cherry blossom season in Japan? Don't worry; there's still a few opportunities to take in the cherry blossoms in colder regions of Japan such as Fujigoko and Nagano. Of particular note, this weekend in Kaga, Ishikawa the Taishoji Sakura Festival  is being held. In addition to hanami in the park, lion dances will be performed and you can take boat trips down the river to take in the beautiful sakura blossoms. At night, a sakura illumination event will begin, lighting up the beautiful trees and setting the scene for a romantic evening stroll. Click the image below for more details...

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Tops Tuesdays Throwback: Top 5 Posts for Spring

Continue reading to find out what you need to know this spring to survive staff parties (enkais), hay fever and cherry blossom season!

The Izu Life: The Best of Cherry Blossom Season #2

On the Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka Prefecture, there is a little picnic area called Sakura Koen near Izunagaoka Station on the Izu Hakone Line. It is a a little known but fantastic hanami (cherry blossom viewing) location for locals. Check out some of my favourite snaps of the park below...

Tops Tuesdays: Top 5 Hanami Spots in Japan

Cherry blossom season is upon us and the days are warming up. Join me for my top 5 hanami spots in Japan as you decide where to stake out for your own cherry blossom-viewing itinerary...

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T.G.I.F: Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival

As I reported last year, once again Kawazu on the Izu Peninsula will be hosting the annual Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival this weekend to welcome the arrival of spring and celebrate a spectacular local phenomenon. Every year between February and March, a breed of early blooming cherry blossom called the "Kawazu" can be seen blossoming around town. At night, the blossoms are lit up for a night-time illumination event and a fireworks display begins at 7.30pm. Why not visit Kawazu and see for yourself? Kawazu can be reached from Atami (accessible from Tokyo on the Tokaido Line) on the Ito Line. Click the image below for more information (Japanese)...

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You can click here for more details in English.

Tops Tuesdays: Kawazu Cherry Blossoms

It's a drab and dreary day here on the Izu Peninsula. Its been raining non stop for the past 36 hours or so. That in mind, this week marks the beginning of the blooming period for a breed of cherry tree here in Japan that blooms earlier than any other kind of cherry blossom. The cherry blossom season, though varies around the country, normally falls in April but the Kawazu Cherry Blossom begins to bloom a vibrant pink in mid to late February when the weather is still frosty. The blooms have made a community right here on the Izu Peninsula--Kawazu, for which the blossom is named--famous for its Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival (stay tuned this Friday for more on this festival). A beautiful preview of what spring holds for us this year. 

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Happy Tuesday!

A Year in Review with Instagram

It's almost the end of the year and before I go on hiatus for my return to Australia for the Christmas period, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on some of my adventures this year with some of my favourite Instagrams from 2012...

T.G.I.F.: Yep. Still Spring

You should probably check out my previous TGIF post if you are looking for recommendations on hanami spots in Shizuoka. Yes, the cherry blossom-viewing festivals are still rolling out and this weekend promises to ring in the peak of the season in style. Meanwhile, a friend let me know that the following hanami festival is taking place in Yoshiwara, next door to Fuji and the famous mountain of the same name: Yoshiwara Sakura Matsuri.

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Maybe you can see Mt. Fuji peeking out in the background of this photo. The festival promises some of the best views of the iconic mountain and local cherry blossoms. Check out the link for spectacular images taken recently of what this festival has to offer. Happy Hanami everyone!

Where will you be pitching your picnic blanket this hanami season?

T.G.I.F.: A Plethora of Hanami Festivals

Happy Friday everyone! Its 19 degrees outside, the birds are singing, the sun shining and the cherry blossoms are fit to burst. This weekend is going to be awesome. A bunch of local JETs have arranged a hanami and picnic in Sumpu Park in the shadow of Shizuoka City's own beautiful castle. Care to check it out? Continue reading for your weekend events round-up...

T.G.I.F.: Hanami and more!

This weekend (and perhaps the weekend after that) are your last chances to view the cherry tree (sakura) blossoms in and around the Izu Peninsula. Hanami (cherry blossom viewing) is a popular past-time for the Japanese. Couples, colleagues and comrades alike can be seen enjoying the natural wonder of the blossoms while bonding over sake and a picnic. And any custom which encourages public displays of drunkenness is alright by me.