Japan is continually reborn as something new bursts into bloom. It’s nearly February…bring on the plum blossoms! 
Winter in Japan is kind of growing on me. Now that we actually use our heaters and have a comfortably warm house I can actually notice and enjoy the stark beauty of the naked cherry trees, the uncluttered, bare river banks, the delicate branches swelling with unblossomed flowers.
The Hikichigawa River is fragrant with paperwhites and dotted with camellias. Most of the plum trees around here belong to my neighbors, who hopefully don’t think I’m a creep-azord for stopping to take pictures.
It’s hard to believe the cherry trees won’t blossom for another month and a half at the earliest…groan. Well, this year I have big plans for cherry blossoms season—mark your calendars for the Cherry Blossom Tea Party on a Friday afternoon mid-bloom under the trees by the river! 
Papa—Paparazzi!!
Falling along the River (the season, not the verb)
Herbs on the Lam
Trick or Treat!
Beautiful! I'm sad we weren't able to enjoy this beauty with you during our visit. I would like to come to your cherry blossom tea party!
"the stark beauty of the naked cherry trees, the uncluttered, bare river banks, the delicate branches swelling with unblossomed flowers"…you put that gloriously!Exactly what we're able to enjoy this winter in Katy,having had so much freezing weather. The variety of plum blossom colors is gorgeous!!
That's funny… I was taking plum blossom photos just yesterday after dropping Maxwell off at the squadron. I saw some white blossoms too and wasn't sure if they were plum or something else. Isn't that last photo a camelia? I think they are part ot the tea family. I've noticed they bloom twice a year when it is cold – late fall and early spring. So beautiful!
Those colors are delicious! I want to visit! *stomp stomp*.
Also, hello to Mouse.