Cherry Blossom Report

Tip # 28 The Cherry Blossom Report:  Tracking the Sakura Zensen (the wave of cherry blossoms sweeping up across Japan from the south).

You might remember the dream I mentioned earlier: getting married under a "snowfall" of cherry blossom petals. As our wedding is just 12 days away, I am tracking the Cherry Blossom Report (click below) in hopes that those pink blossoms will be at their peak on the day of our wedding (April 6th, 2019).  Wildly optimistic am I. 

A wave of cherry blossoms arrives in Okinawa, southern Japan sometime in March. As the days warm, that pink wave in full splendor sweeps north in a spectacular, breathtaking phenomenon that becomes center stage all across Japan until the blossoms finally arrive at Cape Soya, at the northern most tip of Japan. 

CHERRY BLOSSOM FORECAST  CLICK HERE 

TIP # 27 NARA    Miwa Mountain of 1,000 Shrines

Tip # 26. NARA    Visit The Great Buddha of Todai-Ji and the feed the Messengers of the gods in Nara Deer Park.

Meet the largest bronze Buddha in the world at this UNESCO World Heritage site.

One of the great pillars of Todai-ji has a passage.  It is believed that one emerges from the other side of the pillar into enlightenment in the next life.

Tip #25 Eight hundred years of Forging Steel into Samurai Swords

Gassan Sadatoshi is a Japanese Master Swordsmith.  His forge and studio can be visited in Sakura City, not far from Nara.  Gassan has the honor of having made the sword for the new emperor of Japan and is considered a National Human Treasure of Japan, his work, so masterful, the far away Boston Museum of Art has sought out his work for the museum’s collection. I thought I would buy one of his swords for my son Jason. 

I learned Gassan’s legendary swords cost $3 million.   I believe that includes the beautiful blade engraving below.

 

After all, Gassan Sadatoshi makes swords for emperors. I have begun to save my pennies.

Tip # 25 NARA   That same samurai sword forged folded steel can found a short walk from Todai-ji Temple, just above Nara Park where you can take home traditional Japanese fold forged steel in the form of fine cutlery for your kitchen.

Kikuichi swordsmiths have been folding steel for 750 years. Considering all the souvenirs I've ever brought home, this is the one is a treasure I use every day.

Kikuichi Cutlery

Click on the video below for a close up of the “wood grain” 

of Japanese folded steel.

See how repeatedly fold forging steel blades (Click HERE)
creates a wood grain pattern in the hardened steel.

Here is a quick map...

TIP 24 TOURS BY AKIKO...

TIP # 24  NARA, ASUKA, AND KYOTO TOURS   On one of my earliest visits to Nara... Akiko Murakami shows how to use this call button to summon a waiter at one of her favorite restaurants.

We met Akiko in Nara on the last day of my second Fulbright trip to Japan. My advanced science students had been eager to find samurai sword souvenirs to take home. But first they should come to know Bushido, the Way of the Samurai, to learn that the Samurai "Sword is not for fighting." 

It was late in Nara so Akiko's mother's store was the only storefront with a light on.  I thought I saw movement within so I knocked and told her of our quest. She stepped out of the store closing the door behind her and walked us to the Nara Samurai Swordmaker that lived a 15 minute walk away. Akiko would later open my eyes to a Japan that I would have otherwise missed.  Now she has her own Tour Company.  I highly recommend taking her tours. In fact, for a reasonable fee, Akiko will be your personal guide to Nara, Kyoto and Asuka Village. Go to:   Click HERE for Akikos's Nara Yamato Tours

Tip # 24  Take a tour with Akiko, you will experience both modern and ancient Japan. Here are photos from her Instagram page. Click HERE for her tour photos.   https://www.instagram.com/naraspirit/?hl=ja

Tip #  23   Electricity, Water and ...

Plug in Adaptors for your electronic devices are not needed for your Journey into the Heart of Japan.

Scratch that off your list.

Tap water is safe to drink.  Though this will be my 9th trip to Japan, I still remember my first trip concern about drinking tap water, I was cautious and hesitant.  Now I realize that tap water in Japan is safer that here at home (USA).  

Tip # 22.   Hiroshima: Ring the Peace Bell at the Chidren's Peace Memorial

When you visit the Peace Park, have lunch at Okinomyaki Nobumoto, just across the Ota river.  Cross at Heiwa Odori Bridge...
Meet Nobumoto-san, an extraordinary woman...
Enjoy the best Okinomyaki I've ever had.
Hiroshima style okinomiyaki is öishi, (delicious) and you'll discover it's interesting history.
Don't miss this special Hiroshima experience!

Here are the directions. 

Copy this Google Plus Code (like GPS coordinates) and paste onto Google Maps.
9CVX+5C Hiroshima

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Okonomiyaki