Photo dump

We've been a bit sparse in our blogging recently but today we have not one, but TWO posts for you. I've got a smattering of photos from April and May and continue below for some prime Richard-rambles.

One of the ways you know it's spring in Japan is the addition of the sakura (cherry blossom) forecast to the regular weather forecast. While Japan's sakura are rightfully famous, there are other spring flowers that are also celebrated and bring out the crowds. At the end of March, we went out to the large park surrounding Osaka Castle to see the ume (plum) blossoms. We caught them just past their peak, but the plum grove was still pretty incredible (and very popular). 

Various plants were for sale just outside the grove, in case you want to take some plum blossoms home with you.

We settled for some plum flavored ice cream. Yum!

A few weeks later, the cherry blossoms began to really bloom. Hanami (literally "see flowers") parties are incredibly popular. Work groups, school friends, dates, anyone that can find an excuse hits the parks with a tarp to sit on, food to snack on, and some alcohol to drink. In early April, we went to two of these organized cherry blossom-viewing parties, but we also had a little picnic ourselves.

Our picnic location near the moat around Osaka Castle.

Our trusty bikes also enjoyed the view.

Rows of cherry trees line the moat and several roads around the park. It is very common to see cherry blossom trees planted around lakes and rivers.

Our selfie-shot taking abilities are improving.

We've also been taking hikes around Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara. Here are a few pictures from a recent hike around Kurondo Park.

Down the hill you can see the city of Osaka.

 As many of you know, we've joined a samba group in Kobe. Our first performances were this last weekend (see Richard's post below for more). We wore some pretty fabulous costumes, as you can see here. The best part is that our costumes (for the singers and guitarists) were by far the tamest on stage. But don't worry, my costume for the August samba parade in Tokyo features red feathers, a crazy top hat, and enough trimmings and whatnot to satisfy Liberace.