Hanami and Easter

The sakura trees behind my church on Hanami

Numazu Church

Seeing the sakura trees in Fujinomiya with Emi and Kohana

It was a beautiful park...

Easter brunch with Leah

Easter Omedetou!

Beautiful day in Atami

Found these guys inside Atami Castle

...these too

By the sea in Atami

Well, it is really, really Spring, and I'm loving it! In the beginning of April all of the Sakura (cherry) trees bloom and it is quite a sight to see. The Japanese know this, and since it only lasts about a week or so, they have a special day (Hanami) that they go and just enjoy looking at them (with a picnic in hand of course). I met up with Emi and Kohana and we had our own picnic of Fujinomiya Yakisoba under the Sakura trees. It was such a lovely afternoon.

Easter Day was also amazing. I went to church and my friend, Leah, joined me as well. We were given eggs that the kids in the church had decorated (they were so cute) :) After church, we went to brunch at a nearby French restaurant, that was incredibly good...may have to return again soon. Then I headed off to Tokyo for an evening of swing dancing...simply a wonderful Easter, really.

The next day, I met up with Leah and this time we traveled to Atami. The city really reminded me a lot of home...but this was mostly due to the closeness of the ocean and the palm trees I think. We walked along the beach and then took the ropeway up to Atami castle. The castle is sort of like a museum now and we saw a lot of interesting things inside it. Maybe next time I will go check out the art museum that is there.

I hope everyone is doing well and enjoying the nice weather. Take care!