More Sakura in February? Nah... just plum, but definitely allergy season. :(

This Sunday when I went out to park the car on Meji-Dori, I thought that I may have sighted Sakura for the second time in 2010. 

These are probably plum blossoms, but the color is very close to Sakura.  The ones that were definitely plum were a little further up the street.  Both of these trees are located near several shrines on Zekko Zaka. The one's out front the side entrance to this shrine are definitely plum (ume.)

Although it snowed last week, perhaps spring is arriving early. The news here in Tokyo has already announced that allergy season has arrived. This is something I would prefer, not to be able to confirm. Alas, my eyes itch and my nose is running.

Sakura or Ume Blossoms in January?

We were returning from Ueno Park on Saturday and noticed a photographer taking pictures of this tree. Seems that this tree is starting to bloom. The only problem is that if this is a Japanese Cherry, you wouldn't expect blossoms in January...Perhaps these are Ume but I couldn't detect any fragerance?


Typically the cherry blossoms come out in late March or early April, and Ume February or March.  These are at least a month early.