Spring in Japan
Spring picnic unnder cherry blossom trees, trying on a kimono.
One of my favorite things about living in Japan is getting to experience the seasons in a way I had only ever seen in photographs.
When spring arrived, so did the cherry blossoms.
I decided to make the most of it by going out for hanami — and trying something I’d never done before: wearing a kimono.
Trying on a Kimono
I’d seen people wearing kimono around Japan, but I’d never imagined myself actually wearing one.
Getting dressed was an experience in itself. There were layers to put on, the obi had to be tied properly, and every part of the outfit had to sit just right.
It felt very different from putting on normal clothes — and honestly, it made me appreciate just how much goes into wearing one.
Sometimes living somewhere new is about more than seeing the famous places. It’s about trying the little things you’ve never done before.
Hanami
After getting dressed, it was time to enjoy the cherry blossoms.
Hanami literally means flower viewing, but it’s really an opportunity to slow down and spend time with other people while the sakura are in bloom.
The blossoms don’t last very long, which makes the whole experience feel a little more special.
A New Season
Looking back, this wasn’t some huge milestone.
It was simply a spring day in Japan.
But that’s what I’ve enjoyed most about living here — collecting small experiences that I wouldn’t have had anywhere else.
A new season.
Cherry blossoms.
My first kimono.
And another memory from Japan.
