Views and Visions: Welcome to spring Part 2

Continued from Part 1… Now, after living here for over three years, I’m finally beginning to understand what all of the fuss is about. For starters, I really appreciate that the seasons here are an even three months apiece. That’s a welcome change from Canada’s five months of winter! But beyond the weather, I’m even starting to enjoy all the natural and human-made pleasures that come along with the changing seasons. Whether it’s cherry blossoms, autumn colors or the sound of a cicada, the sights, sounds and even tastes of the four seasons in Japan always seem to bring back memories of previous seasons. From hanami parties to beautiful autumn hikes, I’m now convinced the distinct seasons help us create new and lasting memories, and remind us of old experiences. I’m also impressed with how well companies use this to their advantage through seasonal products and packaging. It’s always an exciting time when I spot the first cherry blossom-themed beer cans on the convenience store shelves or when they roll out the oden machine. Their marketing teams deserve a raise! Of course, other countries celebrate the changing of the seasons, but perhaps not with the same level of enthusiasm. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m getting hungry. Is it too early for hiyashi chuka? (Joel Tansey) This article was provided by The Japan Times Alpha.