March ends and April begins. The cherry blossoms are usually expected around this time. In Otsu and all around the southern part of Lake Biwa, they have just started to open. Full bloom in Kyoto and southern Shiga is predicted for Saturday the 4th of April. This week, and especially this weekend, is the best time for hosting a cherry blossom viewing party, known as hanami (花見) in Japan. Our school, Smith’s School of English Otsu, will be hosting it’s 8th Annual Hanami Party this weekend at a lakeside park. We are hoping for sunny weather and full bloom. I believe the blossoms will be perfect, but I’m not sure so I’ll check the JMA (Japan Meteorological Agency) website daily for weather and blossom updates. No matter what the weather and blossom conditions, we will enjoy chatting, eating, drinking and playing under the wonderful pink trees, next to beautiful Lake Biwa (pictured above). We hope you will also have an opportunity to do so sometime this week or next. It’s Cherry Blossom Viewing Time!
Edward, Smith’s School of English Otsu
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