Cherry Blossoms: A Sign of Optimism and Spring

The world renowned cherry tree and its pink sakura blossoms are eagerly awaited by the nation every spring. Japan's meteorological agency shows where in the nation sakura has started blossoming and it is reported on the news daily. Smartphone apps have even been developed to track the sakura zensen, or cherry-blossom opening. Once the flowers have are in bloom, they are admired and enjoyed in the annual rite of spring, or hanami. During hanami, it is traditional to have a picnic and party under the blossoming trees. In addition to being beautiful to look at, the trees provide various other functions as well. Cherry wood can be used as lumber. The tough, flexible bark is cut into thin strips, which can be used to make baskets or to decorate wooden implements, such as magewappa, or bentwood boxes. The bark can also be used as dye for cloth, or even boiled to produce a medicinal elixir, thought to be good for the throat and respiratory system. 


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The leaves and flowers are also preserved in salt and eaten. The preserved flowers and leaves signify spring with their fragrant, salty-sour taste.The best edible leaves come from the Oshima-zakura, because of the juicy, fragrant foliage. The salt-preserved cherry flowers are generally made with deeper, pink multi-petaled Yae-zakura blossoms. The majority of domestic preserved sakura leaves come from the southern half of the Izu Peninsula, though the cheaper leaves are imported from China. 

Until recently, the primary use for the preserved flowers was in sakura-yu, a type of tea made by floating two blossoms in plain, hot water. The faintly pink tea has a slightly salty, slightly sour taste that provides a unique change from the traditional green tea. Sakura-yu has been the tea traditionally served at omiai, or arranged meetings between potential marriage partners, as well as at weddings and receptions. The reason for this is because the tea is clear and unclouded, which is thought to represent a healthy marriage. 


Today, the main use for the preserved leaves is as edible wrappers for sakura-mochi, which is a traditional sweet, only available in early to mid spring. Due to its immense popularity, several variations of sakura-mochi exist. The most common variation if soft mochi, pounded rice cake, filled with koshian, a smooth, sweet adzuki bean paste, with two sakura leaves wrapped around the entire thing.


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The cherry blossoms provide many more uses and are very much appreciated by the Japanese, as well as many other cultures around the world.  

Travel to Asia in the Spring

Springtime is one of the best times of the year to travel to Asia. During the spring, the temperate transition between seasons is more northern latitudes, for example Tokyo or Seoul, or higher altitudes, such as the Himalayas, make for a beautiful setting to enjoy the full range of cultural and outdoor activities. 

April is one of the best times of the year to visit Japan. It is the perfect time to head to destinations such as Karuizawa. Here, hot springs of the ryokan Hoshinoya lie in the shadow of Mount Asama, an active volcano. 


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In Takayama, there is an age-old ritual each spring where residents of rustic villages get together to re-thatch the pitched roofs of homes dubbed a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Kanazawa, sometimes referred to as "little Kyoto," because of its historic preservation and springtime cherry blossom, is also a great place to see in the spring.

It is also recommended to head to Yunnan, China's southwestern-most province. The breath-taking mountains and terraced rice farms have metallic minerals in the soil that create an extraordinary red color, giving the terrain a sense of uniqueness unlike any other place in the world. While there, you can visit the lovely Naxi town, which flourished due to its role in China's "tea route" during the 7th to 10th centuries. 


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Nepal's offerings are among the most diverse in Asia. There are world-class opportunities in the UNESCO-protected jungles of Chitwan National Park  and if you go in May you can experience the thrill of skydiving from 29,000 feet alongside Mount Everest. 

Tucked in the Himalayas, lies the enchanting Buddhist nation of Bhutan. The Bhutanese government is making strides in infrastructure, even with a new airport scheduled to open this spring, making it a perfect time to travel. Experience a private dinner, a lama blessing at dzongs, archery lessons, and a stay at the newest Amanresort, Amankora Bumthang. 


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Cotton Ding; the Heartwarming story of Shanghai's Favorite Restauranteur

If you mention the name Cotton Ding to anyone who has experienced Shanghai's nightlife scene you will receive the general consensus that she is one of the city's friendliest, most welcoming people. Cotton is well known around town for her two villa bars, as well as a recent foray into restaurants. What makes her bars so famous and unique are the beautiful terraces and fireplaces. Her bars are places you can go to for brunch, afternoon drinks, or for an evening beside the fireplace. The focus of Cotton's bars has always been more on wine and cocktails, but they also feature a wide variety of beer. 

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Cotton feels getting to know her

 guests is most important, so she spends a great deal of time in her bars. Whitewashed walls, velvet seats, and fireplaces are included in the bars, as well as her restaurant, Hunan House run by her brother, to make a warm and welcoming atmosphere for guests. 

What one might not know is behind Cotton's warmth and success, lies a powerful story of a woman who left her home in rural Hunan to try and make a living in Shanghai. She had to overcome many challenges to become the success she is today. She was born in a tiny village that was an hour's hike and then another hour's drive to the nearest city. After finishing high school, Cotton realized there were no jobs in her town that would be able to provide a living for her. So with only enough money for one trip home and a pair of worn out shoes, she left home to try to find a job. 


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Her first job was in a Chinese restaurant, working ten hour days, making very little, and living in a staff apartment with 20 other girls. She says after many nights of going home and crying, she realized the only way for her to get a good job was to learn english. She had no money for school, so she got a job at an American-style cafe, despite her limited english skills. She kept a daily diary of english and received help from her customers till she learned english. She then paid her way through a two-year graphic design program. She moved to Shanghai with dreams of becoming a graphic designer, but after two months of no offers she got a job as a bartender. 

After a short period of time, Cotton realized she loved her job and being a bartender. In 2002, Cotton opened up her own bar after finding an investor and location. WIthin a year the bar was profitable, but shortly after, she received a letter from her landlord saying the lease was being cancelled early to set up a language school. It did not take long for her to realize she had been deceived and the landlord had stole her bar idea. Cotton felt very disheartened, but instead of giving up, she opened up a new location. Her new location did even better than the first and it wasn't long till she opened up a second successful location. 

Cotton's success story is both heartwarming but also inspiring because she is an example of how far hard work and determination can carry you. 

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One Year Anniversary of Japanese Earthquake-Tsunami

On March 11 Japan marked the one-year anniversary of of the devastating earthquake-tsunami that killed at least 16,000 people. This earthquake-tsunami was the worst catastrophe the nation has suffered since World War II. The magnitude-9.0 earthquake unleashed a tsunami that swelled to more than 65 feet. 

The tsunami then triggered a radiation leak at the Fukushima Daiichi plant. Tens of thousands of people were forced to evacuate when a 20-kilometer radius around the Fukushima plant was ruined, becoming no-man's land. 

The tragedy resulted in a heavy loss of lives, devastated entire parts of the country, and brought down the government.  

To mourn such a tragic event, people across the country observed a minute's silence at 2:46 pm- the moment the earthquake struck. Thousands of people commemorated the dead with bells and prayers. 

Plenty to Visit in Shanghai this Spring

The French Concession

Now that spring is approaching, a wonderful destination to consider is Shanghai. If you're already planning a trip to China, a visit to Shanghai is a must. There are lots of fun activities people of any age can enjoy. 

The French Walking Tour should be on everyone's list of stops while venturing through the city. The French Concession has a very peaceful atmosphere, unique from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the city (the population exceeds seventeen million!). The trees were imported from France in the early 1900s and still line both sides of the street and old villas are being renovated and turned into nice little shops and homes. 

Another walking tour that should make the list of things to do is the Bund Walking Tour.  The Bund is Shanghai's most famous landmark. A great way to visit the Bund is to be dropped off at the Peace Hotel and walk south, going in and out of buildings along the way. 

The Yu Garden

The Yu Garden is another fun place to venture through. The entire area has been renovated in the traditional style Chinese architecture. It is also home to the Huxingting Tea House that inspired the design in the famous Blue Willow china pattern. The Yu Garden has everything that a tourist would want to take home with them from silk pajamas to chopsticks. 

Be sure to visit one of the city's skyscrapers, such as the Shanghai World Financial Center, the city's, as well as China's, tallest building- at least for now.  

If you are in the mood to do some shopping, Taikang Road is the place to be. This road allows you to see Shanghai at its best with street vendors selling foods and other various items, women hanging up laundry, children scampering about, and more. Its full of shops and cafes selling everything from traditional to hip, new clothes, jewelry, and other various items. 

Taikang Road

Another great place to shop is Dong Tai Road. This road is Shanghai's version of the Beijing Panjiayuan Market. Dong Tai Road is not nearly as large as the Panjiayuan Market but offers a similar atmosphere with the shops and stalls lining both sides of the street. Here you can find all kinds of items including old wooden rice buckets, brightly painted opera masks, porcelain, and Mao memorabilia. Don't forget your bargaining skills! 

Finally they have the fastest high speed train in the world - so take a ride and see the area outside Shanghai as well.

Celebrate Rich Japanese Culture in March

March is a big month for Japan with numerous festivals and events to celebrate the rich Japanese culture. March begins with the annual Awashima-jinja Shrine Festival. The Awashima-jinja Shrine is trusted by many women for marriage and the safe delivery of children. During the festival, people can touch the "shintai," the religious object that is said to bring blessing to children. An offering of ladles that are associated with the legend of Awashima-jinja Shine will also take place during the festival. A memorial service is held for old needles and paper doll amulets are gathered. A Shinto priest purifies them, then the misfortunes and and impurities of the year are imbued into them. In a ritual called "nagashibina" the dolls are put into a small boat and floated into the ocean, carrying the year's misfortunes with them. 


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The Oyama Tofu Festival is also held in March. This festival is held at the Tofu Plaza to celebrate Oyama's famous tofu. Large pieces of tofu are offered to "kamidana" Shinto altars in order to give thanks and pray for participants' health. Other events and contests are held during this time including eating contests and handmade tofu making contests. 

The Shonan Enoshima Spring Festival is held in mid-march to celebrate the coming of spring in Shonan. During this festival events such as a comedy concert, open-air tea ceremony, shell festival parade, and taiko drum performances take place. 


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March closes with two events known as the "Yudate Shishi-mai" Dance and the Odawara Kamaboko Sakura Festival. During the "Yudate Shishi-mai" Dance a shrine with a giant kettle is constructed. The giant kettle is filled with hot water and the "Shishi-mai" dance, or lion dance, is performed next to it. The kettle is stirred with bundles of bamboo grass and "yubana", hot springs of mineral deposits, is sprinkled over the heads of attendees to pray for their health. The Odawara Kamaboko Sakura Festival is held in Joshi Park, a place famous for its sakura, or cherry blossoms. Performances by master kamaboko, fish cake, makers and an Odawara diako drum performance are included in the celebration.

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St. Patricks Day In China

The Chinese have no history of celebrating St. Patrick's Day, but beginning in 2007, Shanghai began a new tradition that has since become an annual event. The Irish community marches proudly down the streets of Shanghai during the St. Patrick's Day Parade,  the only national day march for a foreign community authorized on mainland China. 

About 1,000 people march from the center of the city to Yandang Road, a popular shopping area, where the celebration ends with traditional music and dancing. The march is led by a kilted piper and a green-robed St. Patrick accompanied by leprechauns. 

Some Chinese tradition is threaded throughout the celebration with the inclusion of two green Chinese dragons in the parade. Local authorities were initially very cautious about allowing the parade, but relaxed when it appeared much more cultural rather than political. The parade is part of a week long series of Irish events in Shanghai to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. So have a drink (if you are legal) and have some fun!