Spring has finally sprung here in Japan, which means one thing: Sakura. For those who don’t know, sakura is a Japanese word meaning cherry blossoms. Sakura bloom but once a year, and they only last for about 2 weeks. Mostly white, with just a tinge of pink, the blossoms are incredibly beautiful. A sakura tree in full bloom is truly something everyone should see at least once in their lifetime. The rich symbolism of such intense yet ephemeral beauty is not lost on the Japanese, and they treat each coming of season with proper pomp and circumstance. In fact, many people see sakura as a representation of the beauty of life itself; fleeting, yet so extraordinary while it exists. Yes, Sakura season is, perhaps, the world’s most metaphorical reason to get ridiculously drunk.

Continue reading A Season of.. Joy