提到櫻花時，你們會想到甚麼？從新聞或報章雜誌，可能都會提到，一到櫻花開花的期間，許多日本人都會紛紛結伴出遊，公司同事或好友會相約在櫻花樹下野餐，邊賞櫻花邊野餐，一起度過歡樂時光，在不少日本動漫作品中，也都有描繪人們賞櫻的情節，對於日本人而言，賞櫻已經是內化到生活中，是再自然也不過的日常。
在台灣，一般民眾也非常喜愛賞櫻花，我猜，主要是被日本的賞櫻文化推動的，每年只要到了三或四月時，很多我的朋友都在訂機票，計畫去日本賞櫻花，眾所皆知，櫻花花期最長只有兩週左右，隨著春天的來臨，櫻花就會開始綻放，幾乎所有的日本人都會早早地就開始期盼櫻花盛開，我也去過一次，在好幾年前，去感受日本的賞櫻文化，說實話，日本的櫻花綻放起來，一片片的花海，看過去真是夢幻。
春天是追櫻的季節，其實，台北的櫻花在每年一月下旬，就會陸續盛開，在平地的櫻花，開花開得較早，而在高山地區，會稍晚，每年一月下旬，山櫻花先開場，然後二月，河津櫻、枝垂櫻、昭和櫻等陸續盛開，吉野櫻、墨染櫻會在二月下旬開花，之後還有八重櫻、霧社櫻大島櫻、牡丹櫻、一葉櫻等陸續開花。
這幾天，雖然不可能下雪，對我而言，台北還是天寒地凍，還好沒有下雨，剛好算是步入冬春之交的櫻花季，我人就在台北近郊，順便和朋友去看看櫻花，可能是因為太冷，路人並沒有很多，逛起來還算舒服，而且花況還不差，我記得之前，假如賞花的人太多的話，要拍櫻花，還要排隊，今天算是人人有花拍，花比人嬌，拍好拍滿不囉嗦。
我會和朋友一起來賞櫻，也是想趁人還沒那麼多時，趕快先來看看櫻花，因為生活在這片土地的人，總是一窩蜂的追捧某些事物，最好避開賞櫻的人潮，幾年前發生的葡式蛋塔就是經典個案，1990年代時，有生意人開始引進葡式蛋塔，結果爆發強烈的搶購熱潮，分店一家家的開，每家分店前都是長長的排隊人龍，很多人看到商機可期，葡式蛋塔店家就一間間的開，但沒多久，人民就不那麼喜歡吃葡式蛋塔了，此外，很多人只做一次消費，並不是忠誠客戶，人潮來的快，去得更快，而葡式蛋塔店家就一間間的倒閉，直到現在，只有少數的專賣葡式蛋塔的店家還在。
When it comes to cherry blossoms, what comes to mind is the beautiful spring scenery, especially the pink floral carpet created by blooming cherry blossom trees. The blooming of these flowers often symbolizes the arrival of spring and new beginnings, making cherry blossoms a representation of hope, love, and life in many cultures. Cherry blossom season is also a significant festival in countries like Japan, attracting many people to gather and enjoy the picturesque cherry blossom views.
In Japan, it's common for people to organize outings with colleagues or friends to have picnics under cherry blossom trees during the peak blooming period. This tradition is deeply ingrained in Japanese culture, and it's often depicted in anime and other forms of art. For the Japanese, cherry blossom viewing has become an integral part of their lives, a natural and joyful aspect of their daily routine.
In Taiwan, the appreciation for cherry blossoms is also widespread, possibly influenced by Japan's cherry blossom culture. Many people plan trips to Japan in March or April to witness the cherry blossoms. The cherry blossom season is relatively short, lasting only about two weeks, and the anticipation for cherry blossoms to bloom is high. I had the opportunity to experience Japan's cherry blossom culture a few years ago, and it was truly a dreamlike sight to see the blooming cherry blossoms forming a sea of flowers.
Spring is the season for cherry blossom chasing. In Taipei, cherry blossoms start blooming from late January, with lowland cherry blossoms blooming earlier than those in the high mountains. Each variety, including mountain cherry blossoms in late January, Kawazu cherry blossoms, weeping cherry blossoms, and Showa cherry blossoms in February, and Yoshino cherry blossoms and Yaezakura in late February, contributes to the overall cherry blossom season. I recently visited a cherry blossom spot near Taipei with friends. Although the weather was cold, it was a comfortable stroll without the usual crowds. The cherry blossoms were in good condition, and we could enjoy taking pictures without much hassle.
I prefer visiting cherry blossom spots with fewer people, as it allows for a more relaxed and enjoyable experience. I remember incidents like the Portuguese egg tart craze a few years ago. When someone introduced Portuguese egg tarts, the trend quickly caught on, and shops opened one after another. People lined up for the popular treat, creating a booming business. However, the hype faded quickly, and many shops closed down. It serves as a reminder that sometimes it's better to enjoy things before they become overly popular and lose their charm.
So, my friends and I chose to appreciate the cherry blossoms before the crowds arrived, avoiding the rush that often accompanies popular trends. Life on this island tends to follow certain trends, and it's refreshing to enjoy moments like cherry blossom viewing before they become overly mainstream.