sakura – Susan Spann, Adventure, Mystery, and Mountains

The First Sakura of 2022!

Susan Spann Blog March 23, 2022March 23, 2022cherry blossoms, Japan, sakura, sakura 2022, spring in Japan

I took these pictures of the first cherry blossoms of 2022 on the grounds of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, a Shintō shrine in Kamakura, last weekend.

The Tō-ji Cherry Blossom Illumination in Kyoto (Tō-ji, Part 3 of 3)

Susan Spann Blog July 2, 2021June 27, 2021Japanese culture, Kyoto, Kyoto temples, sakura, Tō-ji, Tō-ji temple, Toji Temple

n April 2019, while finishing the 100 mountain climbs that became the basis for CLIMB, I visited Kyoto with my friend (and fellow author) Laura VanArendonk Baugh. By chance, our day in the ancient capital coincided with the final nights of the annual sakura (cherry blossom) illumination at Tō-ji, the UNESCO World Heritage temple that also happens to be one of Kyoto’s oldest sacred sites.

The Gardens of Tō-ji (Part 2 of 3)

Susan Spann Blog June 30, 2021June 27, 2021Japan, Japanese temples, Kyoto, sakura, To-ji, Toji Temple

Tō-ji sits a few blocks south of Kyoto Station, near the former entrance to the ancient capital. In addition to its remarkable history and architecture, this 8th century temple is home to a lovely garden, with graveled walking trails that lead across the grounds and around an expansive pond.

Welcome, Spring . . . and Sakura-Flavored Everything

Susan Spann Blog March 14, 2021March 14, 20212021 cherry blossoms, cherry blossoms, Japan, Japanese food, Murder is Everywhere, sakura, sakura food

Springtime in Japan means the return of the beloved sakura (cherry blossoms) — on the trees and on the plate. The blossoms are arriving about two weeks early this year. The trees in my Meguro neighborhood are already setting buds, and on my walk yesterday afternoon I spotted the first blossom of the year: When I stopped to take a picture, a woman walking next to me also stopped, looked up (to see what I was looking at) and startled. “Sakura!” she exclaimed. “Honto desu ne? Hayai desu ne.” (“Is it really true? They’re early, aren’t they?”) I agreed with

Hanami and Cherry Blossom Forecasts in Japan

Susan Spann Blog April 2, 2018April 1, 2018cherry blossoms, forecast, hanami, Japan, JNTO, sakura, Tokyo

Yesterday at Murder is Everywhere, I posted a blog about the traditional hanami – “flower viewing” – parties that happen at sakura (cherry blossom) season. (Photo credit: Xyrenth – used with permission.) Cherry blossoms are such an important part of Japanese culture that the Japanese National Tourism Organization (and other media outlets) publish an annual “sakura forecast” predicting the date when cherry blossoms will open across Japan.

Cherry Blossoms in Tokyo!

Susan Spann 1000 Summits, Blog March 19, 2018March 18, 2018100 Summits, cherry blossom, sakura

I’m flying back from Tokyo today. Although I only had a week to spend in Japan this time (I have chemo Wednesday morning, and need to keep the infusions on track) I consider the trip a resounding success.