As the saying goes, "No three days of sun in spring" — lately, just when we think a warm sunny day has come, rain and clouds return, and the weather stays uncooperative. Worse than unlucky, this spring has been downright odd. Recent cold snaps kept Tokyo's cherry blossoms, which opened on March 16, from scattering despite rain on the 2nd and 3rd; in some places they may last through the weekend. Such a long bloom is said to be rare.
That may reflect the strange temperature swings from March into early this month. According to Japan Meteorological Agency data, for the ten days through March 15, the day before the bloom declaration, average temperature averaged 12.58°C and maximum temperature averaged 18.33°C. From bloom to full bloom through the 25th, average temperature averaged 14.02°C, higher than the previous ten days, but maximum temperature averaged 17.78°C, lower. From the day after full bloom through April 2, average temperature averaged 10.86°C and maximum 14.13°C — 1.72°C lower in average temperature and 4.3°C lower in maximum than the ten days before bloom. It has been cruel to hanami lovers.
Meanwhile, results of Weather News Co.'s "National Hanami Survey" in late March (30,412 respondents) were reported in newspapers. Japanese people average 1.6 hanami outings. The longest viewing time is in Aomori Prefecture at 3 hours 26 minutes on average; next is Osaka at 2 hours 51 minutes; the national average is 2 hours 29 minutes; shortest is Okinawa at 1 hour 7 minutes. By per-person hanami budget, Aomori again tops the list at ¥2,908. Aomori people seem to take time and money and enjoy hanami thoroughly. The national average is ¥2,224; cheapest is Toyama at ¥1,736. Per hour, Okinawa leads at ¥1,729, followed by Hokkaido at ¥1,362 and Mie at ¥1,082 — perhaps enjoying fulfilling hanami without spending much time.
And Tokyo? Viewing time was 2 hours 38 minutes, 10th nationwide, but per-person budget was ¥2,099 — 40th nationwide. Per hour that comes to ¥797, second from the bottom among the 47 prefectures after Miyazaki at ¥789. Are Tokyoites, the Edokko, frugal? Perhaps the spirit of the rakugo "Hanami at the Tenement" lives on — enjoying hanami without spending much.
The weekend may be the last chance to enjoy the remaining blossoms. On the 6th and 7th, a free shuttle bus for the Chiyoda Sakura Festival will stop in front of Palaceside Building to help hanami visitors. Takebashi · Palaceside Building will also be open on Sunday the 7th, with restaurants operating. The weather, though, is a worry...