sakura season and table runner embroidery

[aimeekitty]

ok... so... I've heard the best time to go to Japan for cherry blossom season is:
- last week of march in Tokyo
- first week or second week of April in Kyoto

what have you heard or experienced? I'd prefer to go to Kyoto first if I can. If I go to Kyoto in the second week of April, (and then Tokyo third week) is that still a good bet for sakura?? Or will that be too late?

Also,... this is what I've been making for my mom over the past month or two. I made the flowers a while back, and then last night I did the leaf embroidery on my machine and stitched the flowers on. I'm not happy with the yellow stitching, but I guess it's ok for a first try! next time better! It's going to be a table runner for my mom's porch. (there is a heart on each end) I don't think she knows about LJ, so I'll show you guys. :)

Comments

[zagzagael.livejournal.com]

aimee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THAT is glorious - incredibly beautiful and oozing with gallons of talent and dedication! The flowers are just exquisite - what a beautiful thing. Your mother will cry tears of joy!

[mognetcentral.livejournal.com]

We left for our honeymoon on the 26th and stayed until the end of the month in Tokyo. According to my family there, they came and went really quickly this year, due to dramatic change in weather, so by the time we got back to Tokyo on the 6th, they'd been blown off by the strong winds.

We did catch the cherry blossoms in Kyoto, around April 3-5.

Usually Tokyo is earlier, but I think if you aim for the first week of April you'll be fine wherever you go.

Stats are good!
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2011_when.html

[rory-aka-spike.livejournal.com]

I went to japn mid/end april this year, went to Kyoto and we saw Cherry Blossom, didnt really see that much In Tokyo but then I wasnt looking for it ^_^ I think depends on weather aswell, when we went it was nice and warm only had 2 short sharp heavy showers, but still sat in Tokyo bay in the Sun rest of time, so should be fine, im going back mid April, as loved it so much and not to hot then, hope that helps a bit *if can find any pics will do and give you link*

[koyomi.livejournal.com]

well, i was in japan for a week in the middle of april in 2003. we stayed in ôgaki and visited several cities like kyoto and i remember the beautiful sakura, see this for example:
http://comixcat.com/japan/gallery/view_photo.php?set_albumName=album04&id=IMG_0616
so lucky me was there at the perfect time :)

I'd prefer to go to Kyoto first if I can. If I go to Kyoto in the second week of April, (and then Tokyo third week) is that still a good bet for sakura?? Or will that be too late?
sounds like a good plan to me.
as i'm in japan right now (kyoto in fact ^^) i can look if i can find any information or maybe ask somebody. i'll tell you as soon as i know more.

ps: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2011_when.html

[shigatsuhana.livejournal.com]

I would try to go to Kyoto in April. Not only will you see the blossoms, but you'll also be able to go to the Cherry Dances of the Geisha and Maiko. The dances are called different ones as to which hanamachi you visit. I'd suggest Kyo Odori or Miyako Odori.

[sakurae.livejournal.com]

Yeah when I got to Tokyo after the second week I think in April, there were no sakura left and the last of the sakura were still in bloom but dropping down south.

[tacohime.livejournal.com]

Seeing that almost makes me want to have a kid just because of the chance that they might make something so sweet and lovely for me someday. ;_;

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

how was it in kyoto, and what week were you there? :)

[sakurae.livejournal.com]

Just a sec, need to look at my planner....

I was there the second week of April in Kyoto and the third week in Tokyo so yeah by that time Tokyo was totally in regular Spring greenery and pretty warm and Kyoto's last trees were in full bloom and losing their petals right after we went north. So I'd say you're safe for Kyoto up until the second or third week of April since it's from top to bottom direction of the country that has the sakura season with the northern regions going through their sakura season in only a couple of weeks and the southern holding it longer. I think your estimations will probably right on target :)

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

so if I went maybe the second half of the first week, and the first half of the second week to Kyoto, then I'd probably be good?

but I'd miss them in tokyo probably completely

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

any information you can help me with is great. :)

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

do you k now when the odori's start?

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

I hope she likes it! it was supposed to be for her birthday, but it took me longer than expected.

my mom is super super sweet and probably deserves much better

:)

[sakurae.livejournal.com]

Oh I think you'll be fine no matter what up until the second or even early third week of April for Kyoto. It's Tokyo that you'll probably miss most if not all of the sakura mankai by April because I swear, there was no trace of them when we got there the third week.

[shigatsuhana.livejournal.com]

Here is the miyako odori website: http://www.miyako-odori.jp/

They usually run the entire month of April.

[rory-aka-spike.livejournal.com]

http://www.getawaysforgirls.com/mos/blogcategory/Itineraries/Japan_Itineraries_2008/

may help and believe its 1st wek in April next year, as ive been checking all this aswell ^_^ and this helped me

[tacohime.livejournal.com]

Wah, that makes me want to cry. I love my mom a bunch, too. I wish I could make her something so pretty and special.

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

why not?? It's not like my mom's going to complain about my yellow stitching being kinda crappy, you kno.

Wow!!!

[cammy-claudia.livejournal.com]

Oh, wow! Aimee, that is so beautiful! You are so talented! I think that will make your mother very happy.

Re: Wow!!!

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

thanks so much! you are so sweet! I hope she does like it (I'm sure she will though. :D)

[tacohime.livejournal.com]

Well, in that I do not have the skill level to do that. The flowers, those I think I could do. The embroidery, not so much.

I could probably make her a pretty good macaroni painting, though. Hee!

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

the flowers aren't that hard! you could make her a really pretty pin or a bouquet, or a card!

[aboutallmydolls.livejournal.com]

very pretty, I just love the way ribbon flowers look

typically, the Tokyo peak cherry blossom is about March 27, give or take, depending on temperature fronts for when the blossoms peak and then wind and rain for how long they last.
They are mostly done by the end of March usually.