Among the cherry blossoms, fresh leaves start to stand out on the Kawazu cherry blossoms. Even such Kawazu cherry blossoms, when the night curtain falls and they are illuminated by lights, the leaves are hidden, and only the flowers stand out. At first glance, it’s a night cherry blossom scene that seems unchanged, but it is finally the last night cherry blossoms. Around the time when news of the first spring breeze has yet to arrive, the early-blooming Kawazu cherry blossoms begin to scatter. Blooming proudly in the midst of winter and announcing the arrival of the New Year, the Kawazu cherry blossoms fall, evoking a hint of loneliness and a complex mix of feelings, hoping for another reunion. As the Kawazu cherry blossoms turn into leafy cherry trees, it marks the true beginning of the cherry blossom season. The leading role, Somei Yoshino, begins to bloom. The progress of the cherry blossom front is reported daily, and Japan is intoxicated by cherry blossoms from the heart of the city to the corners of the countryside. Cherry blossoms bloom everywhere, and on the blue tarps spread beneath them, feasts unfold. This year, many tourists from overseas will likely visit Japan to see the cherry blossoms, so the cherry blossom viewing of 2024 will likely be a diverse “hanami” gathering with people of various races.

桜の花の間に若葉が目立ち始めた河津桜。そんな河津桜も、夜の帳が下りてライトに照らし出されると、葉は見えず、花だけが浮かび上がります。一見いつもと変わらない夜桜の風景ですが、いよいよ最後の夜桜です。春一番の便りがまだ届く今頃に、早咲きの河津桜は散り始めます。冬真っ只中に咲き誇り、新春の到来を告げると散って行く河津桜に一抹の寂しさを感じるとともに、またの再会を願う気持ちが複雑に交雑します。河津桜が葉桜になる頃にはいよいよ桜シーズンの本格的幕開けです。主役のソメイヨシノが咲き始めます。桜前線の進み具合が連日報じられ、日本全国が桜に酔い痴れます。都会の真ん中から田舎の隅々まで桜が咲き乱れ、その下に敷かれたブルーシートの上では饗宴が繰り広げられます。今年は海外からも日本の桜を見る為に多くの観光客も訪れるでしょうから、2024年の花見は人種入り乱れての「お花見」になるでしょう。