Mar 29, 2019
Unpopular opinion: Sakura, I’m just not that into you
I know, I know - everyone revels in their beauty and people even plan their trips to Japan around them - but I just feel like there are so many more worthy blooms out there to enjoy. It’s not that I don’t think cherry blossoms are pretty (because they are!) but I guess I feel that they’re overhyped. Everywhere gets absurdly crowded during Sakura season, and does anyone even like seasonal Sakura flavored things? It’s such a bleh flavor to me.
Anyone else struggle with major “I’m just not that into you” vibes during Sakura season?
7 Comments
Lyssays
on Mar 29
Haha, I agree. They are beautiful, and there are a couple of sakura-flavored cakes I don’t mind, but I’m rather over them at this point in my life in Japan!
TonetoEdo
on Mar 29
You’ll see that, since January, I’ve posted about all kinds of attractive and fragrant flowers. There are so many flowers to see and smell long before sakura show up. Sakura-scented and - flavored things are lost on me. I can’t smell or taste them. Anybody else like me, sakura insensitive?
genkidesu
on Mar 29
@TonetoEdo yes! I have been loving your posts about alternates to the omnipresent sakura during spring. To me, sakura flavored stuff just tastes like extreme watered down cherry. Maybe that's why I don't like them! Most of it's just super artificial tasting in my opinion.
genkidesu
on Mar 29
@Lyssays I'm so glad it's not just me! I think for the first couple of years I was also caught up in the sakura-fever that everyone seems to get into, but now I'm indifferent, really!
helloalissa
on Mar 29
I will give up the crowds during sakura season for sure. I think it's more about the weather finally getting warm enough to be outside, where for ume and momo it's not there yet. Sakura has this temporary, bittersweet, things ending and new things beginning feeling, which is why I like it. I agree that 'sakura flavor' is more cute pink stuff than a great flavor.
genkidesu
on Mar 29
@helloalissa I think the way you described it is really beautiful - I think that's a better way for me to frame it, too. I guess it's a nice metaphor for life in a lot of ways - to enjoy every moment because we're not here for all that long in the grand scheme of things!
JapanRamen
on Mar 29
well said!