10 Varieties of Cherry Blossom Trees

Well, it's well and truly 花見 (hanami/blossom viewing) season again. This coming weekend will see the peak in my town. Check our past entry for the full-bloom sakura dates for your region of Japan.

The trees became nationally iconic in a bid, many years ago, for Japan to distance itself from China (whose national symbol is the plum blossom). In hindsight, they probably should have picked something a bit more different, as the two are often confused by outsiders.

The distinctly white, mildly pink (when in full bloom) blossom which dominates much of Japan belongs to a tree known as 染井吉野 (somei yoshino). This is the "standard tree". There are around 100 other varieties, such as the low hanging, droopy branches of 枝垂れ桜 (shidarezakura). Intensely pink blossoms most likely belong to 関山桜 (kanzanzakura).

Anyway, someone asked me the other day about the different types of cherry trees seen in bloom. So, here's the answer they wanted:

Click to enlarge.

1. 染井吉野 (Somei yoshino).  Distinctive for being everywhere.

2. 八重桜 (Yaezakura) Distinctive for it's bushy, double-blossoms.

3. 山桜 (Yamazakura). Distinctive for growing wild.

4. 関山桜 (Kanzanzakura). Large, clumpy blossoms.

5. 普賢象桜 (Fugenzozakura) Distinctive for it's heavy, thick blossom.

6. . 枝垂れ桜 (Shidarezakura). Distinctive for its fountain effect.

7. ウコン桜 (Ukonzakura). Distinctive for being yellowy green.

8. 一葉桜 (Ichiyozakura).

9. 松月桜 (Shougetsuzakura).

10. 十月桜 (Juugatsuzakura). Distinctive for flowering in October.

PT: Weird J Cars

Photo Tuesday makes a triumphant return on Thursday! Here are a couple of bizarre cars I saw this week.

Japan has a lot of odd vehicles, including the K-Truck which takes advantage of the low tax on 660cc engines to provide a truck to small-scale farmers, builders etc.

We've written extensively about various aspect of cars. Why not give some of them a read:

• Japanese Driving Test tips
• Getting a Japanese Driving Licence from Scratch
• English Language Driving Schools
• Converting a Foreign Licence
• International Driving Permits
  
• Differences Between American and Japanese Driving
  
  
• Buying a Car in Japan
• 5 Japanese Cars for Tall People
  
• Buying Gas/Petrol in Japan
• Registering Your Parking Space

PT: Sleeping on Duty

I'll admit I have fallen asleep at my desk on occasion (I used to do it on the heated toilet seat when I got tired, but I got sick of falling off). These things happen. But the teacher opposite me manages to pull it off every single day.

She's the "special class" teacher, too. I've walked past that classroom and seen her asleep at the front of the class, asleep in a student's chair, and asleep in there alone with the Down's Syndrome girl (also asleep).

PT: Matsumoto Castle Ice Festival

I couldn't find what I wanted this week, so instead of a thrilling installment about Japanese cars and related blog posts, here's a picture of the beautiful Matsumoto castle. I went there last weekend and witnessed the "ICE FESTIVAL!!" they had there (festival is a bit of a strong word, but it was a nice day trip).

Matsumoto (in Nagano prefecture), like pretty much all cities in Japan, has a lot of events year round. If you're in the area be sure to check out the Matsumoto tourism site to see what's going on.

Update: Here are some more photos of Matsumoto castle and the ice. Click for a bigger picture.

PT: Japanese Beer

Will any of these not give you diarrhea? Think of it as a challenge.

I've been wanting to write about the massive variety of Japanese beers for a long time, but never found the time. Don't get excited, because I still haven't. However, I came across this interesting article about Japanese home-brewing of beer, and thought you, dear reader, might be interested. In fact, the whole of the Beer in Japan website may interest you - it has all kinds of information about breweries, bars, brands and other things beginning with b.

Do you like Japanese beer? Tell us your favourite varieties in the comments.

PT: Robots

To celebrate (or rather commemorate) the giant Gundam being removed from Shizuoka (see this couple's blog for details), here's a repost of my old plamodel decorated toilet. See closeups of all the awesome robots on my original blog.

PT: Japanese Gardens

 

Everywhere you look in Japan, there are some immaculate and spectacular gardens. Future installments of our Destination series will give some recommendations, including the one above (Ritsurin, Takamatsu: Shikoku).

Peaceful, colourful, full of fish.

PT: Lunch

Pregnant fish

We've written quite a bit about school lunch in Japan in the last few months. Steve wrote a very interesting article about why we have some very bizarre combinations of foods sometimes, and I wrote about what it's like eating with your students.

For a more in-depth look, I also put together a typical 5-day sample of what you can expect to be eating.

PT: Onsen

These two disturbing old ladies sit by the side of the road in Komagane, Nagano-prefecture.

They appear to be enacting an onsen scene, but without the hot water. Which reminds me: an onsen outside in the rain or snow is really, really nice. I recommend you try it if you can. The iconic Snow Monkeys (the Japanese Macaques who live next to and bathe in a natural hot spring) share the area with many outdoor onsen.

Check out our onsen blog for some more information about the experience.

PT: Cold

Here's our first Photo Tuesday.

It's cold in Japan.

If you want tips on how to keep your Japanese house warm, I have just the article for you.