Spring has arrived already in Kyoto. I mean, if you are indoors. (And, we just had Japanese New Year’s a few too short weeks ago.)
Today I was down at wildman Yohei Izutsu‘s corporate HQ and when I walked into the lobby of the building I was spirited away by the fragrance of plum blossoms. (One of the most beautiful things in the world to me.)
Here, plum blossoms (ume 梅) means ‘spring’. Well, at least that of Old Man Winter is getting ready to pack his things. Spring already? Well, not quite. Just indoors.
Nevertheless, I was very happy to be spirited away, even if just for a few precious moments. Here is how I celebrate Spring in Kyoto: Sake Blossoms: The World’s Greatest Sake and ‘Ume’ Plum Blossoms