kuranosuke, is Pintokona the one on the very bottom level of the hat,just to the right as you get off the escalator? If so, I'd agree with you -- very pleasant and welcoming place. Also agree with the quality of the product at Maguro Bito (Asakusa).

hai, don-san. so desu.

ht, I came to Tokyo this afternoon and am going home tomorrow - I saw sakura here and there on the train from Kyoto....and some near my friend's apartment in Yokohama this evening.

Thank you Mara and kuranosuke for your reports, much appreciated.

Mara, how was it at Usuki. Worth the detour to see? Did you take the bus from JR Usuki to the Buddhas?

kuranosuke-san, only two bottles of sake to wash down all that sushi?
Work commitments? Nani? Did I mention that next year's bloom might be the same as these past two years although the La Nina is now dissipating.....?
Maybe, have some more work to sort it all out but three years in a row late blooming is not right somehow.....should know more around summertime.

Aloha!

ht, I stayed in Usuki one night so I actually had a choice of two bus lines - they do not run frequently - the tourist office at the station can give you the schedule - it's only available online in Japanese. I felt it was very worthwhile plus the town is nice - it has several different sights to see including a castle ruin and old-fashioned streets.

I saw sakura today in Tokyo - here and there as well as in the Chidorigafuchi near the Yasukuni Shrine.

Mara, welcome home!

Where is a place to stay in Usuki? We will probably be driving

ht, thanks - I stayed in a business hotel about 15 minutes walk from the station - there are a couple of business hotels right by the station - with a car I would think you could find nicer places....

Mara, no jet lag I hope? I get it on the back end after coming home.

lol, emd3, too early to tell - it is worse in this direction - I am a bit spacey....not that different from all the time actually ;-) - I went to my calligraphy class today - they were surprised to see me but I felt it was a way to still feel like I was in Japan since they mostly speak Japanese there... ;-)

The sakura is blooming nicely in Yokohama today. Plenty of buds still so they should last a bit longer. It was sunny this morning but turned overcast as the day progressed and there was a freezing wind.

God willing, I will be there for the sakura in 2013. This is inspirational. Kuranosuke, Mara, and eigasuji all got to see sakura in Japan in 2012. The sakura here in Washington, D.c. peaked early this wk, and it has been windy, but the Cherry Blossom festival is just getting into full swing. The big Japanese festival is next weekend, but tonight are the fireworks and today I am going to the "Kimono: 100 yrs" exhibit and the "Hokusai: 36 Views of Mt Fuji" exhibit and the Ikibana International exhibit.

Thanks for the report eigasuki!! Keep it coming!

emd, me too. Will be there for sakura in 2013 that is. Well that is the tentative plan any way. Any plans yet? I know Okinawa will be in your plans right? The blossoms in Okinawa are in Feb though.....

Haven't thought through what we will do yet but think we will try the Northern section of Tohoku again, Yamadera and maybe a try at Kakunodate again......we'll see.

Aloha!

Interesting,seems the Cherry Blossems bloomed much later this year.Thanks for all the reports.

I delayed my trip this year because my son is coming home from Tokyo for the summer.i'll try to visit in Dec,but that March -April timeframe is really hard to beat for a lot of reasons.

hawaii, we will have to see about that trip. I am going to plan it but don't know when we will be able to goan go. My son has developed an illness and that is dicating things, we will have to see how he does.

emd, oh no.....hope all goes well with your son. Sending lots of prayers your way.

Yes, planning a trip is a great way to ease the stress level a bit....well at least for some of us fodorites

Aloha!

There were very few sakura blooming in Amanohashidate on the 9th though they ar blooming in abundance in Osaka and as the train passed through Takawazuki, they we stunning alnong the train tracks.

Kyoto was spectacular and the crowds are certainly also in abundance. Daigo-ji was a sight to behold but there are still some buds in evidence so weather permitting, there's still time to go.

hawaii, thank you, that is exactly what we need. Casey is bipolar and is currently in mania, and so far denying treatment. He is at home w/us after dropping out of college recently.

Another Japan trip does help me dream of better and more normal times.

Oh dear, emd, very sorry to hear about your son's issues - hope he gets better enough to go for treatment soon. Hang in there!

hi emd, sorry to hear about your son. hope he gets better. i've been to dc during the blooming period, and the festival. it was beautiful, and the festival was fun, and lots of delicious food.

ht, planning a trip is a great way to ease the stress level a bit, surely you jest.

emd, so sorry to hear about your son. How stressful for all of you. I remember all your planning and your trip with your son back a few years now. I hope things go well for him.