Spring has sprung

first blooms, originally uploaded by ninapod.

I saw a funny TV news clip the other day that epitomizes pointless Japanese officials officiating things.

Site is some park in Tokyo where the sakura have begun blooming. A government official arrives with an enormous camera, takes a few photos of a blooming sakura and announces to the news camera: 「桜が咲き始めました。以上です。」

I pass by a gazillion sakura on my way to work and this is probably the closest I will get to hanami this year. For those who will be in Tokyo next week, the river just north of Tennoz Isle station is great.