Sakura on my mind

MANILA, Philippines - Cherry blossom-watching is an annual springtime rite, a traditional pilgrimage for those who hope to catch one of the most spectacular shows that nature unfolds. And yet, there is never an assurance when the first buds will sprout, or even when those gossamer blooms will burst forth in all their delicate splendor. More so, as exquisite as the flowers are, they are short-lived. Cherry blossoms are fragile and according to Japanese lore, symbolize the “transience of life.”

It is a fleeting sight, most say, all of only two weeks, that overwrites images of the often harsh Tokyo winter and heralds the onset of spring. With pictures of cherry blossoms dancing in our minds, our traveling Band of Eight, with a love for leisurely, but well-thought out trips, began preparations for a brief Tokyo interlude. Seasoned and practical travelers that we are, we readily snapped up some of the numerous promotional air fares and special hotel rates in much-awaited travel marts and expos.

Most of us have been to Tokyo several times before, but for this particular journey we were focused on one goal — Hanami, the traditional viewing of cherry blossoms.

Narita-bound with cherry blossom fever, we talked of nothing but cherry blossoms. At the elegantly spruced up Philippine Airlines departure lounge, we soon met up with some like-minded other friends who were likewise on the Cherry Blossom Trail. Upon arrival in Japan’s busiest airport at dusk, on the snake-like queue leading to Immigration, we heard a steady buzz  from travelers of various nationalities — cherry blossomsssssss.

As we motored to the Hyatt Regency Tokyo, we had only one question for Yoko, our tour guide with an excellent command of the English language: Will it ever be in full bloom during our brief stay? The anticipation and excitement we felt was by then tempered by a bit of apprehension. Reality set in. Our moment of truth had come. We recalled news clips on global warming that wrought havoc in many areas of the world and of more direct concern was the recent Tokyo Freeze.

Still with the “cherry blossom rush,” right at the lobby, we espied the answer to our singular question — two huge earthen pots each with a cherry blossom or sakura tree. Certainly, a wow moment for us! We congregated in one suite designated as our “country club” where we celebrated our sakura high with wine and picas. Searching for news, we found  airing on CNN a flash report on the Sakura Festival in Japan, complete with footage of lush cherry blossoms around the country. With more wine and picas, we went on to relish our auspicious first night. The ladies were beside themselves. One whispered: “Are we really here? Do pinch me so I may know I’m not dreaming.”

Deep into the night, we slowly made our way to our rooms — ecstatic, perhaps ready to dream about — what else — sakura trees in full bloom.

In the next few days, we headed for our favorite spots in this city we’ve come to love. As we sauntered around, everywhere we happened to glance, there they were — thick clusters of the softest pink buds dangling from twigs like cotton candy, row upon row of trees with lilac blooms standing sentinel on the sides of major streets, lily white florettes fluttering in the soft and nippy breeze and sakura even inside tall buildings.

Tokyo in springtime is chock-full of sights, sounds and great finds that anyone with joie de vivre will surely relish.

We visited the Tsukiji Fish Market, the largest seafood outlet in the world. Within the complex are  â€” hold your breath — 1,700 stalls selling over 450 types of fish and seafood and is the source of the freshest ones that find their way not only to some 15,000 restaurants in Japan, but are likewise flown to the sterling dining places in major cities all over the globe.

On a walk through Shiba Park, we took in the iconic Tokyo Tower, modeled after the Eiffel Tower but taller at 1,093 feet. A ubiquitous presence in many Japanese films and animé, it affords travelers a panoramic 360-degree view to include Tokyo Bay and the Ginza. On a clear day, you can even catch a glimpse of Mt. Fuji.

We likewise stopped by the spectacular Sensoji Temple also known as Asakusa Kannon, the city’s most sacred shrine.

Our group spent an entire morning at the Meiji Temple, dedicated to the much-revered Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, is the prime Shinto shrine, which is deeply-rooted in Japanese life. Both were avid writers of waka â€” traditional Japanese poems of 31 syllables — where vistors may draw a poem from the Omikuji box in front of the main shrine building. We paid our respects by following ritual directions. On our way out, we chanced upon the recessional of a traditional Shinto wedding entourage. As they went past, we clicked away like paparrazis.

Our schedule called for a bit of shopping at the Ginza, Shibuya and Roppongi. We made the pleasant discovery that one is patient enough to go through the various shops and stalls, there are always goods that are not priced as outrageously as presumed.

We had a virtual gustatory journey in Japan. We sampled it all — from the Michelin-starred restos to popular outlets with the longest list of sushi, sashimi, teppanyaki, katsudon, bento boxes, name it, we tried it. Some of these diners had a wide selection behind a glass counter showing very realistic plastic replicas of all the items on the menu. There we played games: We would point to the food we wanted and ordered it then we would compare it to the resin version. What we ate turned out without fail to be exactly the way they appeared. These feasts we downed with sake in different variants and green tea in as many combinations.

Most unforgettable was Ueno Park, an area rich in historical, cultural and religious lore, with its canopy of blooms under which we walked. Being one of the most favored spots to go cherry-blossom watching, it was our choice as the focal point of our very own Sakura Festival. Entire families, groups of friends spread out blue vinyl mats and picnic all day under the shade of numerous trees to simply gawk at the hundreds upon hundreds of trees groaning with sakura from tiny buds in pristine white to soft pink, lilac, lavender and deep pink.

On the day of our departure, some of the blooms from the two sakura trees in the lobby — the very first ones we saw on this trip — had been shed and tiny dark green leaves sprouted on their twigs and branches, telling us perhaps, that it was time to head for home. Even as we all knew when we embarked on this pilgrimage that all we can do on this journey was to pray for that the cherry blossom trees spread a lovely mantle everywhere we go. As our guide Yoko declared, we were indeed a lucky bunch: “This Sakura Festival is one of the most beautiful we’ve seen in Tokyo in the last few years.” We likewise found more reasons to return to this city that gave us glorious photographs and priceless memories.

En route to the airport, the Band of Eight spontaneously decided to stop by Sumida Park, touted as one of Japan’s most-favored cherry blossom viewing spot where we lingered and savored the moment for one last time. As we bade one another sayonara, we asked: “Same time next year?” Smiles all around — “Shall we include Osaka, Kyoto and Nara?”