伊豆の友人から河津桜の便りがやっと届きました。例年より半月遅れの便りです。比較的温暖な南伊豆の河津町も、さすがに今年の寒波には勝てなかったのでしょう。
２月１日〜２月28日までの「河津桜まつり」も３月９日まで延長されるそうで、３月上旬が満開と予想しています。河津桜から半月遅れでソメイヨシノが咲き始めると、桜前線が南から北上を始め、日本中がサクラサクラで沸き立ちます。
ただでさえ訪日外国人が増える中、サクラ目当てのさらに多くの外国人が押し寄せ、日本中が大混乱になることも予想されます。

I finally received news about the Kawazu-zakura cherry blossoms from my friend in Izu. This year, the update arrived about half a month later than usual. Even in the relatively warm town of Kawazu in southern Izu, it seems that this year’s cold wave was too much to overcome.
The “Kawazu-zakura Festival,” originally scheduled from February 1 to February 28, has been extended until March 9, and the blossoms are expected to be in full bloom in early March. About half a month after the Kawazu-zakura bloom, the Somei Yoshino cherry blossoms will begin to open, signaling the northward journey of the sakura front. As the cherry blossoms move from south to north, the entire country will be swept up in sakura fever.
With the number of foreign visitors to Japan already on the rise, an even greater influx of tourists coming specifically for the cherry blossoms is expected. This could lead to a nationwide frenzy, as Japan finds itself overwhelmed by sakura-seeking travelers.