With the weather warming up recently on the weekends, I wanted to get out and see the plum blossoms. Osaka Castle Park is a nice place to see them, but I’d been there several times so I wanted somewhere new. I also wanted somewhere a little less traveled. It’s a bit difficult to follow the government’s recommended 3c’s when there are so many people around.
As I thought about where to go to enjoy the day and the blossoms, I remembered Kozu Jinja. It’s a little far from where I live in Higashiosaka, but it’s also a fun and relaxing bike ride. Of course as I’d expected, it wasn’t very busy.
The visit also brought on feelings of nostalgia. When I’d first moved to Japan, I’d lived close to the shrine and had visited many times, but never to see the plum blossoms. I’d gone to see Sakura, some fall colors and had even had lunch at a café overlooking the pathways.
This time it was nice to sit, relax and reminisce about when I’d lived in the area. It also gave me a chance to reflect on the past seven and a half years of living in Japan. In some ways I’m surprised by how quickly time has passed. On the other hand, I have to remind myself that it’s only seven years. It’s funny how time can sometimes seem so long and so short simultaneously. I think I’ll go back and reminisce some more during Sakura season.
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