00:00:01 John Daub: I now stand among a few sakura trees, cherry blossom trees here in Tokyo. As you can see, you can see right through them. They're budding, but not really here yet. I'd say right off the bat, another three to four days. Next weekend seems like it would be really nice, and maybe the middle of next week we'll start to see some. But it is late this year. How you doing everybody? I know the forecast said it would be coming out around now. There are some places I'm going to show you, some apps that do a really good job tracking this nationwide. I think they're free to download. It also gives you an idea if you come to Japan and miss them in Tokyo, you can track them all over the country. They bloom at different times.

00:01:02 John Daub: One thing that is definitely true: the city of Tokyo is undergoing cherry blossom fever. Look at those pink lanterns on that yataibune (riverboat) right there going down the river. Let me zoom in on the buds. You can see they're pink. We are really days away. When I left for Nagasaki about six days ago, these were just wood. They've popped up in the last couple of days, and we've had a lot of sunshine and warmth. So it looks like we're just that close. For those of you timed for next week, you're in for a treat. Those timed for this week, you're early, but you knew that. You can feel it, sense it. Cherry blossoms are such an exciting thing because they're all over the place, all over the country.

00:02:05 John Daub: They released the ninth schedule for the cherry blossoms. This came out on March 21st, very recent. I don't think there are any massive changes. Tokyo is a little bit earlier, the 24th—that would be like tomorrow. But I don't know, maybe it will because we've got such a nice, warm, sunny day. As we move further north and into the mountains, the time is delayed a week or two or three. One of the most beautiful places is Aomori up on the top of Honshu Island, right under Hokkaido—around the 23rd, usually the 23rd to 28th, almost into April. That's a month after Tokyo. So you can catch cherry blossoms at different times around the country, just depends where. Sapporo is quite late, far up north in Hokkaido. Aomori starts to bloom on the 18th of April, full bloom on the 22nd—that's still a little way off. If it turns cold, it might be delayed more. It's hard to predict so far in advance.

00:03:37 John Daub: But since we're pretty much here for the cherry blossoms, I'd say this is spot on for Tokyo, Sendai, Kanazawa, Nagano, Nagoya, and the rest of the country. Up in Tohoku, maybe a little off because you just can't tell yet. Fukushima the 26th, Hiroshima the 27th—that's when you'll start to see blooming. But I think for Tokyo it's around March 28th, and for most of the country April 1st—boom, cherry blossom fever. It'll last about four or five days until the first wind or rain knocks them down. Then you see the flutter, the blizzard of cherry blossoms—that's also a beautiful sight. Of course, like every year, I'll try to take you around.

00:04:41 John Daub: Amanda Main is here, saying since she can't travel long distance, she's attempting to grow one in her yard. That's a good idea. It might take time, but it's worth it—if you can plant a cherry blossom tree, it pays off. I saw something interesting in Nagasaki, where I was over the last few days—you can see some live streams from that area. It's such a beautiful place, one of the most beautiful views in all of Japan from the mountain. Nagasaki is surrounded by mountains, a lovely city. If you've never been, it takes effort because there's no real Shinkansen connection—it kind of connects to Fukuoka, but still very new. The Shinkansen picks up until an onsen, just two stops, but they'll build it out over the next couple years.

00:05:10 John Daub: I went up top to admire the view just before sunset—really beautiful. But the cherry blossoms in the Peace Park were donated by Caroline Kennedy, who brought trees from Washington, D.C. to plant in Nagasaki. Nice story—I'm not getting into politics, but Japan sent cherry blossoms to Washington, D.C., now one of America's most beautiful places for them. Nagasaki didn't have a gift from the U.S., which seems odd—even Gorbachev sent one from the Soviets. About 15 years ago, they brought some back from D.C. as friendship to plant in the Peace Park. That's significant after the history there. Spring is about a fresh start, starting over—a reflection of life. Samurai would look at cherry blossoms and see how short life is, since they're here one day and gone the next. That's why it's so deep in Japanese culture—the significance of how short life is. But what's exciting is they haven't even started, so the anticipation is worth it. Look at those green buds.

00:07:31 John Daub: Sara udon in Nagasaki is tasty—I had that right before I left. I went there to interview some hibakusha (atomic bomb survivors). This is Ujihara-san—he'll be 95 when this video broadcasts. I met Yokoyama-san, who went to Norway with the association for the Peace Prize last December. Such an honor to talk with Nagasaki atomic bomb survivors. Thank you for that—I appreciate it. That video will be out in July, about a month before the 80th memorial on August 9th.

00:08:30 John Daub: There's this website, like a navi (navigation system). I scouted around Japan to see where the blossoms are. Zooming in on the map, you can see they're budding—that's the green. A couple spotted around—Shizuoka, I think. One in Shizuoka just started. According to the navi, one in Wakayama, a couple near Nara. They're starting to get out here. Looks like 72 to 96 hours from really beautiful seasons starting in Japan. The app's available on Android and iOS, English version too—pretty cool. I'll put a link in the description, or leave a comment and I'll pin it.

00:09:46 John Daub: Let's take a look around—see how the trees are behaving. Thanks for sharing, UFO Bob. The connection with nature is important—Five Toed Sloth Bear writes yeah, that's Japanese culture. You don't get it so much in the city, which is why I recommend leaving the city for the countryside—you get more Japanese culture there, more connected with nature. Not that Tokyo doesn't—parks are nice, but it's more modern. There's more than one way to experience Japan. If you just do Tokyo first time, good, but come back for Yokohama, traditional Japan, countryside—then you feel the culture, understand Japan has four seasons. Winter, spring, summer, fall—same as everywhere except maybe Singapore. Hong Kong sort of has seasons, but no snow. Because of four seasons, four seasons of food—reason to come to Japan. Autumn is most famous and delicious, but spring is good too. Summer, tons of vegetables. Wagyu beef always special.

00:11:14 John Daub: These yataibune are all over. If you come to Tokyo, they're launching from Nihonbashi. They take you through the canals—smaller boats. This one's a cherry blossom viewing boat, tour altered to expose you to as many sakura as possible. Five Toed Sloth Bear, enjoy a snack, drink, more sakura streams—yes, I'll take you outside Tokyo to connect more deeply with nature. They're going back down the canals toward Monzen-nakacho, beautiful place across the river. That's Eitai Bridge, damaged in World War II firebombing—if you look closely, you see where bombs hit the top, bent noticeably. Skytree on this beautiful sunny day, two days before cherry blossoms really bloom. Beautiful point in Tokyo, Chuo Ward—you could walk from Tokyo Station in 25 minutes. Some picnickers out, soon enough more. Brandania, mahalo—you could catch these with us, do a little hanami (cherry blossom viewing) party.

00:13:20 John Daub: These smaller trees are cool. Tokyo has 23 cities in the metropolitan area—Chuo City is central. Every year they plant one here and near St. Luke's Hospital for kids born and registered in the ward—you get your name on a plaque. Maybe Leo's name is there—gotta search. Another yataibune, that one has okonomiyaki—you grill at tables. Some are all-you-can-drink. If you can reserve, spend a couple hours cruising the harbor, eating dinner, drinking wine—really nice. Along the Sumida River and other side, sakura trees all blossoming soon. Arakawa River, Edogawa River too—riversides have canopies of mature sakura over the path. In a week, maybe I'll bring you at night—I love the night streams, looks like fresh snow. Ton of boats going by—this one looks like a pirate boat, all black and green. Yo ho ho.

00:16:07 John Daub: Despite no cherry blossoms, people have tents picnicking—hanami, cherry blossom viewing. Sit underneath, even without them. Typically full of people. Today I'm in shorts—warm out, sun and warmth feels good. How long do they last? Best stage now—anticipation sometimes better, but not quite. About a week until bloom, then full bloom—10 days before they blow away. Duration three or four days after mankai (full bloom)—great celebrations, then first wind or rain knocks them down.

00:17:30 John Daub: Another schedule from March—hasn't altered much, got a little later. Tokyo was 22nd, now 24th. Hey, Nightshade Giggles. You can see the buds. Chicago has 12 seasons—third winter, spring of deception. Midwest winters brutal, so dry. Flowers going on here—people respectful in Japan, nobody vandalizes. Very central city, great place to live. But trade-off for expats moving to Tokyo: you're not in the West anymore, in the East—rules, change your thinking. After honeymoon period, six months in, realize different freedoms. You can drink beer outside, but separate trash religiously—trash is a religion here. Picnickers beautiful—let's go to the bridge, look back at Skytree.

00:19:54 John Daub: If watching live, write where you're from—nice to see list from all over world, you're in Tokyo with me. Rubbish sorting is my religion—really is. Lots of Texans—Chris here. If I move back to States, probably Texas—friends moving there. Haven't seen new Kit Kat flavors—matcha tea latte, but nothing weird lately. Take me to Kanazawa—Texas getting crowded. Can't barbecue outside in city—old 19th-century law after city burned from fireworks. Buildings not wood anymore.

00:21:43 John Daub: Whoa—check that out. They're speeding—holy macaroni, did you see that? Almost hit spaceboat—would've jumped over. Real dangerous. Live stream caught them—hope authorities go after. You can get fishing permits at Lawson's. Spaceboat coming under bridge to Asakusa—great ride, though Leo said it smelled inside last year. Kids have acute smell. Looks like 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea—bubble windows, neat. Once used the toilet—scenic.

00:24:30 John Daub: All right, silliness for the day—feels like spring, so warm. No cherry blossom stream tomorrow, but somewhere else. Building into April—said no so many streams, but impossible, infectious—spring fever. 48 hours—I bet tomorrow morning, popcorn blossoms. Then pop, pop, pop till spring official. Lots of boats on Sumida. Island here—if other way, Toyosu, LaLaport—spaceboat from Toyosu to fish market, nice cafes on Tokyo Bay. Love Toyosu—same people at Starbucks bay side when I bike by.

00:26:30 John Daub: Take care from Tokyo—see you in another livestream. Questions below. Cherry blossom season upon us, 48 to 72 hours. I'll post Instagram stories updates—Only in Japan TV. They bloom different times—watch this for map. For most tourist spots, day after tomorrow. North or elevation, catch in April—Tohoku beautiful. Have a great day, night—matane (see you later).