Spring in Japan means many things. It’s a time for beginnings. A new school year begins, a new business year starts, and new life appears. One of the biggest signs is the blooming of the cherry trees. This is how it looks today, though not in full bloom yet.
However, there are two other trees that impact many lives. They are sugi (Japanese cedar) and hinoki (Japanese cypress). After the war, the Japanese government planted millions of cedar trees around Japan in an effort to repopulate the forests with a tree that grows quickly and can be used for house construction. It’s a very useful tree. Unfortunately, the pollen has proven to be a problem for both trees. People are very often allergic to it. Me too. March and April may be beautiful, but for many people it’s a beautiful hell.
I Read Encyclopedias for Fun 
Ahhh! Never thought about the pollen, just enjoyed the pictures! One day I want to see, but pollen, sneezing, okay, will take note. Cheers!
My first three years in Japan, I had no allergies. I think it requires repeated exposure. I may have some pictures later this week with the trees in full bloom.
I “like” the photos, not the allergies!
I like the cherry trees, and with allergy medicine, I can like walking outside.
I love the cherry blossoms. We used to go to Washington D.C. for the cherry blossom festival. Hundreds of trees in full bloom, it was spectacular to see.
It is great. And those cherry trees in D.C. are all from Japan. Somei yoshino cherry trees, I believe.
There now… I learned something today!
Beautiful! The sakura, not the sneezes. 😛
Thanks. And I agree. Looking forward to the allergies going away soon.
Here the new thing is “snow mold” that shows up when the snow banks melt. I don’t remember it even being a “thing” when I was a kid. 😛
I remember it being a thing when I was still in Canada.
Really? I think I heard of it for the first time about seven years ago. Maybe it took three years to blow in from Edmonton. Haha!
Really? I thought it was a common thing for many years.