Cherry Blossoms (Sakura) and Hanami

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In Japanese the cherry blossoms are called "Sakura." Oh my, pictures cannot do these trees justice! It is absolutely breathtaking! They only bloom for about 10 days before the petals start to fall and it looks like it's snowing! We went with our neighbors in to Tokyo to the Yasukuni shrine.  The 'official' cherry blossom tree is here that they use to declare that the trees in Tokyo are in full bloom.  The grounds of the shrine are stunning! Mum bought a fortune for 100Y and tied it up with the others.  She bought a few good luck charms for souvenirs as well. After walking around the Yasukuni shrine, we attempted to find a place to have lunch.  It was the first weekend of Sakura in Tokyo though, so we couldn't find any place with availability.  I suggested we hit up a grocery store and have a picnic, or "Hanami" as the Japanese call it. Hanami is only when you have a picnic under the cherry blossoms. It ended up being the perfect lunch! So much fun and so special!

We spent a few days just relaxing at the house after the hustle and bustle of Kyoto and Tokyo.  It was so hard to decide what to do and find a balance between taking mum to see everything I wanted to show her and being able to sit back and relax a little bit.  We went on a few bike rides through our neighborhood-mum got to try my electric assist bike and fell in love! That thing is sweet! It was just so nice to spend a couple of days with each other talking and enjoying each other's company.  I'm so lucky to have the type of relationship I do with my mum! I hope to have my own daughter so I can share that with her one day.  Gah, tugs my heartstrings!

It was so hard to say goodbye when she left.  She could've stayed forever and it wouldn't have been long enough! Thank you so much for coming Mum!

The official tree has the wrapping at the bottom

We got a little emotional...





















He got too hot!




Sushi go-round!









Kisses!











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