Blogs

In Japan, the love of cherry blossoms runs deep. Every spring, the arrival of sakura feels like something quietly celebrated across the whole country. The cherry blossom front, known as the sakura ze … read more

In Japan, early May brings gentle rains known as samidare (五月雨) — a hallmark of the country’s early summer traditions. These rains coincide with Children’s Day, a national celebrati … read more

In our office, we have a corner we call "small world" for displaying traditional Japanese seasonal themes. And one of the surest signs of coming of spring in Japan is Hina-Matsuri, the Festival of Do … read more

I live in Miyazaki, on southern Kyushu island. Here, as the mid-spring breeze sweeps away the last petals of the cherry blossoms, a serene transformation envelops the land, ushered in by the soft whi … read more

Living in Kyushu, I feel fortunate to experience the stunning cherry blossom season, typically from late March to early April every year. As the cherry trees burst into bloom, the landscape transfo … read more