Plum Garden

I want to go to the Atami Plum Garden (baien) again. I can't remember if I blogged about it, but it's a city in Shizuoka where the plums bloom in January. JANUARY! :D Now too of course. It was a really nice and calming place, and while it's quite far away, I'd like to go again once I am back from Toronto.

You know, I still can not believe that Japan is in bloom all year round. It's now the middle of February, and supposedly the coldest season (ha, +7C outside), but the city is in bloom, and now the country side is all covered in yellow rape blossoms. I wonder if all of Japan besides Hokkaido is like this, or if Toyohashi is just especially warm. Judging by the weather forecasts though, it seems that these temperatures are pretty normal for most of the country, although it did snow in Nagoya this winter I hear, and it does snow in the neighbouring Gifu prefecture. Well, of course Hokkaido is cold, but I am sure it's not as bad as Toronto gets.

It's amazing: all I need to do to improve my mood if I am down is step outside of my house. Unless it's raining, being outside (except for August) really cheers me up, because it's so warm and there are so many flowers and interesting plants all over the city.