Spring time in Japan is a big deal – it means a change in the weather, ample amounts of hay-fever, and cherry blossom viewing (known as Hanami – flower + see). The chance to Hanami in Tokyo is a first for us. It means we are trying to catch a glimpse of the fleeting blossoms…
Tag: flowers
Team LAB Tokyo: Planets
In August last year we visited the Team Lab art exhibition in Tokyo. It was beautiful and immersive and wonderful on so many levels. And so, with news my sister and her family were coming to town, I booked tickets to the Team Lab second show in Tokyo: Planets. It was billed as an immersive…
More Flower Fun
Our new hobby, flower arrangement, took a big step forward this week…We made some ornamental gardens! They looked pretty fine if you ask me. It was an amazing 90 mins of total concentration from me and Dan. And, I should add, utter relaxation! Flower arranging really is enjoyable…I guess this is what happens when you…
Wisteria Garden Part 1
We recently had a relaxing weekend of no plans combined with a casual trip to a wisteria garden and onsen. Kawachi Fuji-en is very famous and the pictures show a stunning wisteria display! Following the advice on the website, we decided near the end of April was best. After the hour long trip, we arrived…
Japanese Warriors and Grandmothers
On turning 30, we had not realised that our hobbies would branch out to include activities inspired by Japanese warriors and Japanese grandmothers. Each week we practice Kyudo, or Japanese archery. This is a surprisingly difficult form of archery, which follows a specific etiquette and process. We have also developed a taste for a hobby…
Our First Ikebana
As spring broke over our cold old apartment in Japan, we were fortunate enough to be invited to sample Ikebana. A colleague at work had heard through the rumour-mill that Dan and I were interested in taking part in this traditional Japanese activity. She very kindly arranged for us to have an afternoon lesson, enjoying both…
Ikebana
Ikebana is the traditional act of flower arranging in Japan. It is an art form conducted with discipline. Each design is about bringing nature, humanity, and blank space together as a collective piece. A teacher at one of my schools recently gave Dan and I tickets to visit an Ikebana display and experience it for…
Spring is the Air
Everywhere you look around! It has been a weekend of beautiful sunshine, showers and flowers. We bought some daffodils to make the most of their bloom and the flat is smelling wonderful! Birds nests are being built in every available space and our canaries have, alarmingly, started kissing. This is how they start to show…