Let's Enjoying Sakura Matsuri.

Here are some photos from cherry blossom festivals in Nago, Motobu, and Nakijin. Okinawan cherry blossoms bloom in January/February, but cherry blossoms on the mainland don't usually bloom until about April or so. And oddly enough, the cherry blossoms bloom during the coldest part of Okinawa's winter. But on the mainland, the cherry blossoms are supposed to indicate the coming of spring.

People at work have started asking me if it's my first time seeing cherry blossoms. And I tell them that there are cherry blossoms where I am from too. In fact, Washington, D.C. has a very famous cherry blossom festival! And then they say, "But Japanese cherry blossoms are more beautiful, aren't they?" Hmmm....