It's a Season of Flower!! - Still winter but you can enjoy the flower of this season, Ume.
Let's explore them by your nose.
February is the coldest season in Japan. However we notice spring is approaching day by day when we see the flower of this season, Ume (Japanese apricot). In old days (more than 1000 years ago), when people said just Hana (Japanese word for flower), it meant Ume not Sakura (cherry). Therefore there are a lot of Ume trees in parks, temples and shrines.
Many tourists asked me, "Is there any difference between cherry and Ume?"
Well... the most significant difference is fragrance. While cherry has only slight or no fragrance, Ume has very strong and fascinating one. We can sense Ume is blooming by its strong aroma even we can't see it. I am sorry I can't bring you its attracting fragrance by my pictures. Please come and find Ume by your nose during my tour.
