Last weekend I visited the beautiful Mishima Taisha shrine just one stop away from Numazu. The grounds are quite large and include several buildings, a small zoo and a lake all surrounded by beautiful Sakura (Cherry Blossoms). The window to see the beautiful Sakura in Japan is quite short. They are only in full bloom for about one week! The blossoming spreads in what is known as the Sakura Zensen Front beginning in Okayama in January and spreading up to Tokyo by late March, early April. It is also a time when friends and families gather to celebrate under the Cherry Blossom trees. These gatherings are called Hanami Festivals. Everyone brings a little something to eat and contribute. Many of the shrines have stands set up where you can buy a variety of cooked treats to snack on as well.
The Sakura represent good fortune and luck and is symbolic for love and spring. I am told that their importance lies in their astounding beauty and short life. Everyone must stop and take time to appreciate them in all their beauty. Here are some photos from my adventure to Mishima on a beautiful sunny Monday last week!
Flowers along the road to the shrine!
11 comments:
Wow! Those photos are great, particularly the close-ups of the sakura. :D
oh how beautiful! i remember singing about sakura in elementary school!
What gorgeous pictures!
P.S. Just mailed your letter. :-)
I love having a Sakura down the street from me - now I know what the name means next time I go shopping!
Excellent pictures btw, the "sakura" in Van seems a little behind this year!
Wow how amazing, loving all things japanese what an amazing and beautiful opportunity to be there. Amazing pictures.
Those are so gorgeous, they are just starting at home in Vancouver. I posted a couple pics, will post more tomorrow. :-) Not nearly as stunning at whats going on in Mishima!
We were talking about htis in my Japanese class today. Beautiful photos!
What fabulous photos! Especially love the flowers :)
xoxox,
CC
Omgosh I was in Japan for sakura season last spring it was SO gorgeous!! you're so lucky and those are such great photos =)
What beautiful spring flowers - so lovely.
The photos are gorgeous, I have been wanting to take pictures of cherry blossoms recently.
XOXOXO
Libby
www.fashionconfectionairy.weebly.com
Post a Comment